You can try the Optus network for free, if you have the right phone

By Alex Choros

Last updated 23 July 2024

Optus has launched a free mobile plan that allows potential customers to try its mobile network before they buy. The plan comes with 30GB of data and lasts seven days, but is only available to customers who have an eSIM-compatible phone.

eSIM - an electronic SIM or embedded SIM - is a rewritable SIM card that’s built into a cellular device like a smartphone or smartwatch. Unlike a physical SIM, there's no need to pop open a slot or pry off a case to put it in; an eSIM never leaves your phone. Instead, you download a "software SIM".

eSIM-compatible handsets have been available for several years now, with Apple introducing the tech in 2018 and Samsung in 2020. It is still however largely limited to premium devices. Very few budget phones have eSIM support.

Customers hoping to take advantage of the free trial will also need to provide an email address, and a form of ID (as is standard when signing up for a phone plan in Australia). Australian driver's licenses, Australian passports, and international passports are all accepted. No payment details are needed.

The free trial plan can be redeemed through the My Optus app on iPhone and Android. A prompt will appear on the first screen when you open the app.

The plan's full inclusions are 30GB of data, unlimited calls, and 1,000 text messages. International talk and text aren't included, nor are other premium features like international roaming.

If you sign up for the free SIM, you'll be given a new phone number - there's no option to port your existing number across for the trial. If you do want to keep the number issued as part of the trial, you'll need to sign up to an Optus mobile plan within 30 days of the trial expiring.

Customers with a current Optus mobile plan can't take advantage of the free trial, but Optus NBN customers can. The trial offer can be used once every six months.

Optus says the trial plan is designed to alleviate pain points when switching providers.

"Making the switch to a new mobile provider can sometimes feel like a leap of faith, but Optus is changing the game, removing uncertainty by inviting participants to try its network free for seven days," said the provider in a media release.

It described it as an opportunity to test the network without having to rely on word of mouth or a coverage map.

While Optus is positioning the trial as a way to get new customers, it could also double as a way for travellers to get free connectivity when visiting Australia. While the seven-day expiry would only make it useful for shorter trips, there's nothing that would prevent tourists from signing up for the plan and effectively getting a free travel SIM.

Optus' free trial comes amid a year of increasing telco costs. Vodafone increased its postpaid mobile prices in January, and Telstra has confirmed it will be upping prices starting in August. Optus' increased the retail price for postpaid plans in May, and will start passing the new pricing onto existing customers in August.

Here are Optus' SIM-only postpaid plans:

#1	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $65 Optus Choice Plus Plan 200GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $65/mth Min. cost $65 Go to Site	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $79 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply. $69/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $85 Optus Choice Plus Plan 400GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $85/mth Min. cost $85 Go to Site	$85/mth Min. cost $85	Go to Site

Looking for a new mobile plan?

These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium - 365 Day Flex Plan 200GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 200GB data for only $190 on the Medium 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 30.11.25 $190 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$190 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $30/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel $22 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Enjoy $8 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $14/mth for first 6 months, then $22/mth $14/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#6	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $12.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply $25 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$25 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick $28 Mobile Plan 30GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $28 Mobile Plan for $14/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $28/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$28/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#8	Catch Connect	Catch Connect 365 Day Plan - 360GB 360GB data Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network in available areas Deal: Save $121! 360GB for $179 for the first 365 days! Recharges $300/360GB. New customers only. Offer ends 30.04.25 $179 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$179 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $26 Prepaid 17GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 17GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 7GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25 $26 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$26 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $29/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site