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We all know the big names in the game when it comes to mobile phone service providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone…
But what about the smaller names? Who are they and what do they provide? Why should you consider switching from a trusted name to one of the up and comers?
If you’d like to know a little more about how you could be getting a better deal with your mobile phone service provider, then read on.
- First you need to know about what the smaller phone service providers actually do. These companies use the existing networks of either Telstra, Optus or Vodafone to piggyback their services on to. They’re called service resellers, because they on-sell their services using the other companies existing network infrastructure.
- They usually don’t sell mobile phones. This means you can buy a phone outright or just use an existing one. Just because you’ve got an iPhone 5S on a $79/month plan with Telstra that just finished its term doesn’t mean you need to stay on and upgrade to the iPhone 6S. Your phone still works perfectly, right? Using a reseller can save a lot of money.
- You can take your number with you. Or don’t, it’s up to you.
- Most providers have contract-free phone top ups. Recharge as much as you like at any time. No longer be locked in for 24 months on a plan where you’re hardly using any of the benefits. Other companies do have plans if you’d like to try and save money in the long run.
- Mobile service resellers can often give you a cheaper deal than the companies that they are on-selling from. Don’t ask me how this is possible, it just is!
The best mobile phone service providers mobile phone plans for 2015 according to Canstar are iinet (Optus network), amaysim (Optus), Optus, Telstra, TPG (Optus), Virgin (Optus), Vodafone and Vaya (Optus)
The best mobile providers in the pre-paid sphere were ALDImobile (Telstra), amaysim (Optus), Optus, Telstra, Virgin (Optus) and Vodafone.
Canstar rates all services on the following areas: overall satisfaction, network coverage, value for money, accessibility, billing and customer service.
As you can see, the resellers are often outshining the companies themselves. In terms of value for money, the top two companies outstrip their backbone competitors with four and five ratings as opposed to three stars.
Check out some of the other competitors deals here:
- Prepaid data pack $16.50 for 1GB
- Prepaid $20/month for up to 3GB, 100mins and unlimited text
- Plan $29.90/month for 2.5GB data, unlimited calls and text, low cost international phone calls starting at 0c a minute
- Prepaid $29.90/month for 1.5GB data and unlimited calls and text
- Prepaid $39.90/month for 2G data plus unlimited calling and texting
- Prepaid $27/month for 2.5G data and $650 calls with unlimited SMS
- Prepaid $19/month for 300MB data with unlimited calls and SMS
- Prepaid $12/month for 200MB data with $200 credit towards calls and text
If your current mobile phone plan has run out and hasn’t yet been renewed, or you’re simply looking for a better prepaid service, then don’t just sit around with the same provider and do nothing.
There are a wealth of alternative mobile phone service companies to help you get the right plan or prepaid solution for your needs, and possibly at a better deal than you’re currently getting. Shop around and don’t give up until you find the right one for you.
If you are thinking about switching, before you make the plunge, check in with your current service provider. Tell them about your plans to switch and the new deal the opposition is offering. A lot of the time they will try and at least match the offer or better it, to encourage you to stay on with them. Win-win we say.
