Cheapest NBN plans March 2024: save up to $240 on fast internet

Are you looking for the cheapest NBN plans to save money on your internet bill? We’ve compared many of the biggest telcos to find the best deals for you in each speed category.

Recent price changes to wholesale NBN mean you could be getting a better deal than your current plan. Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer introductory deals, including generous discounts for the first six months. Afterwards, it’s always worth shopping around so you’re not left paying more than you should. Most ISPs don’t use lock-in contracts, making it relatively easy to swap to a better-value plan.

Australians are downloading more than ever, and choosing faster plans accordingly. Make sure you regularly assess whether your current internet plan serves your needs, as recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

With that in mind, here are the current cheapest NBN plans in Australia from a wide range of telcos.

Contents

• What you need to know
• Which NBN plan?
• Cheapest NBN plans – March 2024
• NBN 12 plans
• NBN 25 plans
• NBN 50 plans
• NBN 100 plans
• NBN 250 plans
• NBN 1000 plans

What you need to know

If you want broadband internet in Australia, your main and most reliable choice is via the National Broadband Network (NBN). Although the NBN provides the internet backbone, it does not sell plans directly to the public. Instead, telecommunication vendors package up retail and business plans, which include different features and levels of customer support.

NBN availability

The NBN is available to all Australians, but the way you access the NBN may be different. This might include a fixed cable into your home, wireless access via an antenna on your roof or a satellite dish.

To see what technology is available to you, start by visiting the NBN getting connected page. After entering your address, you will be shown the technology available at your address. You will also see which providers or NBN retailers sell access in your area. In Sydney alone, we were presented with 123 different retailers.

Speed and reliability

It is important to understand that the speed and reliability of your NBN plan can differ by retailer. Each buys internet capacity from the NBN. This capacity is then shared with a certain amount of the retailers’ customers. This means that a retailer may have faster speeds in one suburb versus another based on how many customers are accessing the overall capacity. It’s always good to ask your neighbours who they are with and their experience with a particular NBN retailer.

It’s also worth checking the ACCC website regularly. They publish quarterly broadband performance results, measuring how well telcos deliver on advertised internet speeds. You want to be certain that you’ll get the speeds you pay for, so this is a good starting point.

For those customers looking for an NBN alternative, we suggest the following GadgetGuy guides: How does 5G fixed-wireless stack up as an NBN alternative and Caravanner’s guide to connecting to the internet anywhere.

Having good internet speed is more than just a fast broadband connection. For more, be sure to check out GadgetGuy’s guide to improving your internet for more information.

Which NBN plan?

When evaluating an NBN plan, consider the following criteria:

• Data Limits – Is there a monthly download limit of data, or is the plan unlimited?
• Download Speed – Best measured at its busiest in megabits per second (Mbps) typical evening speed. Is it enough to watch Netflix? (Netflix requires 10-25Mbps depending on resolution quality.) Larger households with members using the internet simultaneously will require higher download speeds.
• Cost – How much do you pay each month, and is there a connection fee?
• Contract – Are you locking yourself to a retailer for a period, or is it month to month?
• Telephone – Is a fixed-line telephone service bundled into the plan?
• Customer service – What hours are supported, and is it an Australian-located call centre?
• Upload speed – Important for people who save large files online, like photos and videos.

Changing providers

If you wish to change internet providers, the process involves signing up with the new retailer in-store or online. You may receive a new Wi-Fi router, and you may have to return your old router to your previous retailer. The retailer-provided router is generally low quality but provides a fixed-line telephone connection if selected.

Your retailer might offer you an email address. Still, we recommend using a non-telco-specific email address such as Gmail or Hotmail, allowing you to easily change NBN retailers.

The NBN changeover process can take less than an hour, but depending on the location and NBN technology, it could take a few days. To take advantage of introductory offers, you could swap your provider every six months.

Suppose you do not wish to leave your existing provider. In that case, you may be able to negotiate a better rate by comparing it to cheaper offerings.

Cheapest NBN Plans – March 2024

Here are the cheapest NBN plans at the time of writing. We update this article monthly, but the prices listed in the tables update frequently, giving you up-to-date and accurate information.

Many of the retailers display promotional prices aimed at new and returning customers. These offers generally involve paying a discounted rate for six months before reverting to a standard price. To view the details of promotional offers, click on the green text labelled ‘deal’, which will also show the standard price.

Each plan featured here includes unlimited data. Some providers let you save a few dollars every month by choosing a plan with a data cap. If you know you don’t need much data, use this search tool to find plans with monthly data allowances.

NBN 12 plans

Aimed at people who only need the internet for browsing online and checking emails, an NBN 12 plan isn’t blazingly fast but saves money. Prices recently increased across the board as a result of the new wholesale pricing structure. You could previously find plans for less than $50 but no more, unfortunately.

Pretty much every NBN 12 plan costs around $65 per month, with no standout deals currently live. You’d be better off scrolling down and looking at faster speeds available for the same price or less.

NBN 25 plans

Suited for streaming videos in HD in addition to basic online tasks, an NBN 25 plan gives you a bit more flexibility and much more value for money. One of the cheapest NBN 25 plans this month comes from Exetel, costing just $49.99 per month for the first six months, saving $60.

After the promotion, the price jumps back to $59.99. It also includes a two-month free trial to Exetel’s Home Secure service, providing anti-virus protection to your devices in addition to parental controls. Normally, the service costs $6 per month.

Another decent NBN 25 deal comes from Swoop, offering its Home Casual plan for $54 a month for the first six months. Because the plan usually costs $69, it works out to be a decent $90 saving.

Otherwise, most NBN 25 plans sit between $60 and $65 per month, making the speed tier one of the cheapest options outside of promotional periods. Aussie Broadband remains one of the few telcos to increase prices to $75 or above.

NBN 50 plans

Historically one of the most popular tiers, the NBN 50 plan supports 4K video streaming and is better for multiple simultaneous users. Unfortunately, this speed tier was hit hard by wholesale pricing changes, increasing prices en masse, leading to people choosing faster speeds for only a few dollars more.

Comparing the cheapest NBN 50 plans reveals Dodo at the top of the tree. Throughout the entire month, you can sign up for just $59 per month, one of several strong deals from the Vocus Group telco. Saving $126 all up, this price lasts for six months before you start paying the full rate of $80.

Kogan costs a mere $58.90 but only for the first three months. Regardless, its regular $68.90 price is one of the cheapest NBN 50 plans outside of sales.

Other good sales come from Swoop and Superloop, coming in at $65 or less per month. As an incentive to retain you as a customer, Superloop also offers an Amazon Eero6+ router (valued at $249.99) for free if you stay connected for 18 months.

NBN 100 plans

NBN 100 plans let your household stream multiple 4K videos at once, download files, and still have bandwidth for online gaming. Thanks to cheaper prices and increased reliance on fast internet, NBN 100 is quickly growing in popularity among Australians.

There’s not much difference between the cheapest NBN 100 plans and the slower 50Mbps tier. Dodo backs up its strong deals this month, leaving you to pay only $64 a month for the first six months. You then pay $85, which is reasonably competitive.

Following closely behind are Exetel, Spintel, and Superloop, all offering prices less than $70. Kogan is the only ISP that offers a sub-$80 plan outside of discounts.

In a rare deal from a major telco, Optus has dropped its NBN 100 plan down to $75 for the first six months. It’s advertised as a $144 saving because of the comparatively higher standard price of $99. Keep in mind that this one runs on a contract, leaving you to foot the remaining bill if you choose to cancel.

NBN 250 plans

Not content with just streaming videos, NBN 250 plans significantly reduce the time waiting for large downloads. Whether you want to download the latest video game or save a whole bunch of media for offline viewing, this gets it done quicker.

Looking at the cheapest NBN 250 plans, Spintel currently wins out, costing $75 a month for the first six months. It’s even one of the cheapest plans at its standard $85.95 pricing. However, Spintel’s advertised typical evening speeds are 211Mbps, slower than many of its competitors.

Among the decent NBN 250 deals priced around $85, the Swoop offer stands out. Usually $119 per month, it’s one of the pricier options, but advertises some of the fastest evening speeds. At $84, it saves $210 over six months, providing a great opportunity to test out faster internet.

Faster tiers like NBN 250 are among the major beneficiaries of the changed wholesale pricing. Retailers have dropped pricing in general, so there’s lots of competition afoot.

NBN 1000 plans

You don’t like waiting for downloads to finish, that’s why you’re looking at this section. As long as you don’t expect to hit full speeds during peak periods, NBN 1000 plans are for households that live on the internet.

One of the cheapest NBN 1000 plans regardless of sale status comes from Superloop. Its ‘Lightspeed’ tier costs $99 a month for six months, but the regular $109 price is also excellent value. Superloop also advertises the fastest evening speeds at 700Mbps, which is damn quick. If you stay connected for 18 months, the included Amazon Eero6+ router is free (normally $249.99 by itself).

Interestingly, Swoop’s advertised evening speeds are lower than Superloop’s, swapping places when compared to the NBN 250 tier. Despite this, $99 for Swoop is still a solid deal, and just under 600Mbps during peak times remains fast, no matter which way you slice it.

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As well as the cheapest NBN plans, make sure you check out the cheapest pre-paid SIM plans to save the most amount of money.

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Cheapest SIM plans in Australia – March 2024

Are you looking to save on your phone bill? We’ve rounded up the cheapest SIM plans from a range of different carriers to help you find the best price. If you’re unsure about whether a SIM-only mobile plan is what you need, our quick guide to SIM only mobile plans will get you up to speed.

Generally speaking, if you don’t want a new phone or a lock-in contract, a SIM plan is the way to go. It’s easy to get what you need without paying for excess features. Unlimited phone calls and text messages usually come standard, with data and international roaming the main points of difference.

We update this article monthly, so bookmark this page to keep up to date with the cheapest SIM plans. Prices update in real-time, meaning you get the latest deals available in Australia right now. You can also use a custom search to choose a plan that suits your exact needs. All of the plans featured in this article include an expiry period of at least 28 days. You can purchase a SIM plan with a shorter recharge window, ideal for travellers who only need a bit of data while visiting Australia.

Want to save on your internet bill too? Check out the cheapest NBN plans to save even more money. You can also compare the best Telstra SIM-only plans, Vodafone SIM-only plans, Optus SIM-only plans, and offerings from Boost Mobile.

Contents

• What you need to know
• Phone number portability
• Cheapest SIM plans
• Cheapest 5G SIM plans
• Cheapest 365-day SIM plans

What you need to know about SIM only plans

It’s fairly easy to change your SIM plan provider. Even more so with the rise of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology, letting you change plans almost instantly with a compatible device. Instead of requiring a physical card, eSIM stores network information directly to your phone.

Irrespective of which service provider you go with, the actual network used will be either Optus, Telstra or Vodafone. Many of the cheapest SIM plan providers are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). This refers to carriers that use the network infrastructure of another company.

See Also

28/02/2024

What is eSIM? All you need to know about the growing phone tech

Boost Mobile is a popular MVNO that has full access to Telstra’s network, reaching 99.5% of Australians. Not every MVNO includes a network’s full coverage, so it’s worth checking a company’s website to ensure your area is serviced.

In terms of how much data you should choose, data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that Australians generally pay for more than what they need. On average, Aussies use 10.2GB of phone data per month, so it’s likely you could get away with a smaller allowance that costs less.

It also depends on how much you stream and download content using your phone. If you mainly use home or office Wi-Fi and don’t stream much, stick with a cheaper plan.

Postpaid versus prepaid

There are a couple of slightly different SIM plan options to choose from. Postpaid refers to plans that operate on a monthly billing cycle, where you pay at the end of each cycle. Postpaid SIM plans generally don’t involve a lock-in contract, so you can freely swap if your needs change or a better deal comes along. If you hit your data cap for a month, your telco might limit speeds until the next cycle or charge extra costs, so check the fine print beforehand.

Prepaid, on the other hand, sees you pay at the start of each cycle for a fixed number of days. Most prepaid SIM plans have a 28-day expiry cycle instead of a full month. Shorter expiries are also available if you need a SIM while travelling, making it a flexible option. The upside is that if you go over your data limit, you won’t incur extra costs. A lot of prepaid plans don’t automatically recharge by default but you can set up auto-recharge manually, with some telcos offering discounts or bonuses if you do so.

Phone number portability

The SIM changeover process takes about 10 minutes of your time or even less if you choose an eSIM. You will receive instructions to visit a website, provide your details, prove your identity (online) and then insert your new SIM.

Note you will have a choice to migrate your existing mobile number or choose a new one. About 15 minutes later, you should be up and running. However, the documentation will indicate it may take up to 24 hours and be affected by working hours.

Cheapest SIM plans

Postpaid

Both iiNet and Dodo have the current cheapest SIM plans at $10 a month. iiNet, a Vodafone MVNO, has a half-price discount on its 8GB plan for the first six months, bouncing back to $19.99 afterwards. Dodo, on the other hand, only includes 2GB of data but it stays at a flat $10, offering a cheap Optus connection for anyone who doesn’t use much mobile internet.

If you need more data, iiNet’s 16GB plan costs just $12.50 per month for the first six months, normally costing $24.99. Another decent option comes from Spintel on the Optus network, offering 25GB of data at $14 a month for the first six months. Afterwards, the price goes up to a still-reasonable $22.

As always, Kogan is another one of the cheapest postpaid SIM plan providers. For $15 a month, you get 10GB of data via the Vodafone network. Postpaid SIM plans on the Telstra network start at $20 via Numobile with 10GB of data. It only uses parts of Telstra’s network, so check the coverage map beforehand.

On a slight tangent, both iiNet and TPG started offering eSIM products. Alongside plenty of other providers, it makes it easy to swap plans and save money in a matter of minutes, as long as you have a compatible handset.

Prepaid

On the Prepaid side, the current cheapest SIM plan comes from TPG (Vodafone 4G network). Its plans are half-price, with the normally $20 12GB plan just $10 for the first six months. One perk to note here is that the TPG prepaid plans operate on a monthly cycle, not the 28-day or 30-day expiry of other products. You can also pay an extra $5 for unlimited international calls to 37 countries including New Zealand and the UK.

Yomojo (Optus), Lebara (Vodafone), and Lycamobile (Telstra) all sit around $15, although Lycamobile has a 28-day expiry compared to the others’ 30-day window.

Cheapest 5G SIM plans

As 5G rolls out to more parts of Australia, and compatible phones become cheaper, it’s easy to take advantage of higher download speeds. 5G SIM plans cost more, so are better suited to users who need the extra speed or perhaps don’t have reliable NBN connections.

Postpaid

Moose Mobile’s cracking deal stands out among 5G providers, saving you $120 over 12 months. Using the Optus network, the SIM plan only costs $14.80 each month, including a decent 25GB monthly data allocation. Even at its full price of $24.80, it outpaces competitors by a substantial margin. The only drawback is that download speeds are capped at 100Mbps, which is still quick enough for most users.

With Telstra, the cheapest postpaid 5G SIM plan is Belong’s 25GB tier at $29 per month. Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps, which is still pretty fast. If you’re an AGL customer, you can get a 20GB plan for $25 per month using the Optus network.

You’ll need to pay more for 5G on the Vodafone network, however, with the cheapest monthly plan coming in at $49, with 50GB included. Both Telstra and Optus MVNOs offer more data at cheaper rates as far as postpaid SIM plans are concerned.

Prepaid

On the prepaid side of 5G, most of your cheapest options are starter packs. Optus currently leads the way with its Flex Plus plan $12, down from $35. Subsequent recharges are full price, coming with 40GB for the first five recharges before reverting to 20GB.

Beyond starter packs, Boost Mobile, now offering eSIM plans, currently has one of the cheapest prepaid 5G SIM plans. Starting at $22 per 28-day recharge, you get 7GB of data, which is better suited to infrequent internet users. While most MVNOs only offer partial access to a provider’s network, Boost is the only one with full Telstra network access, meaning it provides more comprehensive coverage than others.

If data is more important than sheer network coverage, Aldi Mobile includes 25GB with each 30-day renewal at a decent price of $29. Aldi uses parts of Telstra’s network, so check that your location is included on the coverage map. Amaysim (Optus network) also provides good value, including 32GB for $30. Keep in mind that its recharge cycle is 28 days instead of 30.

For Vodafone, your best bet is to grab a starter pack priced at $20. It comes with an introductory data bonus totalling 65GB, up from 30GB. Recharges operate on a 28-day cycle, although prices are increasing by $5 starting on 10 April. Vodafone offers an ongoing $5 discount for enabling automatic recharges, essentially offsetting the price increase.

Cheapest 365-day SIM plans

If you know what you need over a longer period and want to save money in the process, a 365-day SIM plan might do the trick. Simply pay once per year, and get a bank of data to use with unlimited calls and texts. It’s a cost-effective way of paying your phone bill for basic internet users who aren’t big downloaders.

At the top of the list is Catch Connect (Optus network) with a $119 365-day SIM plan including 120GB, down from $150, a promotion valid until 19 March 2024. Kogan follows closely behind with its $120 plan with 120GB to use throughout the year, with subsequent recharges including 80GB.

For more data, Amaysim’s 200GB plan is $65 off until 14 March, bringing it down to $175: less than $15 a month. has $100 off its long-term Prepaid Plus Starter Pack. Direct with Optus, its 260GB plan is $100 off, which is a decent discount.

On the Telstra network, Woolworths’ Everyday Mobile long-expiry SIM plan costs $170 for 125GB. You’ll need to pay more for access to the full Telstra network, however: $230, to be precise, for Boost Mobile’s 170GB plan.

It’s still much cheaper than Telstra’s own 365-day SIM plan, costing $320 for 230GB, which drops down to 165GB after the first renewal. Anything below the $20 monthly equivalent, like Boost’s offering, is what you should look for.

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Aussies abandon slow internet en masse: here’s why

Australians have had enough of slow internet, especially after recent NBN price changes with Aussie Broadband data showing a big swing towards faster plans.

Slightly obscured by the rejected Superloop acquisition, Aussie Broadband released its latest financial results with some interesting insights. Sift through much of the investor-speak and you’ll find a few nuggets of information worth examining closer.

One is that Aussie seems to be doing well for itself, increasing broadband connections by more than 20% compared to the previous financial year. The other, perhaps indicative of a wider industry trend, is that a new most popular NBN plan is emerging.

According to the telco’s announcement, 69% of its new customers since the wholesale NBN price change are signing up for plans with download speeds of 100Mbps or above. Late last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accepted NBN Co’s Special Access Undertaking changes. It resulted in lower wholesale prices for faster tiers like NBN 100 but higher prices for NBN 50.

Aussie Broadband was one of the first internet service providers (ISPs) to pass both the costs and savings onto consumers. Subsequently, prices for NBN 50 plans – estimated to account for 45% of the overall market – increased across the board. Meanwhile, NBN 100 plans and faster went down in price.

When you look at the cheapest NBN plans, there’s now only a few dollars’ difference between NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans, which might explain some of the recent uptake. Another factor specific to Aussie Broadband is a big sale the telco ran late last year, where 12-month discounts were offered.

Why else are Aussies dropping slow internet plans?

There are many variables at play, and Aussie Broadband is just one example that accounts for just over 8% of the overall NBN market. For further context, the ACCC publishes a quarterly report tracking the market share of wholesale NBN services.

As of September 2023, Telstra sits at the top with a 40.9% market share, followed by TPG at 21.3%. Optus (12.9%) and Dodo’s parent company, Vocus Group (8.2%) rounded out the remaining top ISPs.

See Also

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Cheapest NBN plans – February 2024

Even though Aussie Broadband only accounts for a relatively small sample size, it’s reasonable to expect that more people want faster internet. Remote working, more connected devices, wider availability of 4K streaming, and increasingly large game downloads are all contributing factors. Plus, more Australians have access to faster fibre connections.

Even Fortnite and Call of Duty were labelled major reasons behind a record-breaking day for the NBN in November 2023. When you compare the ACCC report by data, you can see 50Mbps waning in popularity while 100Mbps rose – even before the price changes.

Image: ACCC.

It won’t be long now until the ACCC publishes the next quarterly report. With so much happening in the NBN and internet space right now, it will make for fascinating reading.

Read more internet news on GadgetGuy

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BlueAnt Soundblade puts bad PC audio to the sword

By now, it’s common knowledge that one of the easiest ways to improve a TV’s audio is to get a soundbar. What if you could get a soundbar for your computer that sits on your desk? That’s the exact premise of the Australian-made BlueAnt Soundblade.

Although monitor and laptop speakers improve all the time, a good standalone speaker still makes a world of difference. And as good as the best headphones are, sometimes you want to give your ears a break or share audio with someone else.

Enter the Soundblade. Announced at CES 2024, the latest audio device from BlueAnt, it’s a small soundbar designed to sit underneath a computer monitor. Housed within the unit is a 2.1-channel sound system that includes an 80mm neodymium subwoofer, with the device capable of driving 120W of power.

There are plenty of connection options, too. Alongside a traditional 3.5mm aux port, the Soundblade also supports USB-C and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Although marketed as a desk-based soundbar, it works with more than just your PC or Mac computer. You can play audio from your phone, and game consoles like the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 are officially supported.

To support this versatility, the BlueAnt Soundblade includes three different equalisation modes designed for listening to music, watching movies, and playing games. It’s fairly compact, too, at just under 60cm wide and 20cm deep while only sitting just over 5cm tall. Plus, you can control it via on-device touch input or an included remote control.

BlueAnt Soundblade price and release date

If you’re worried about a soundbar ruining the aesthetic of your desk, fret not. The Soundblade comes in five different colours, some of which look identical to the recent iMac range.

Available to order now via BlueAnt’s website and Telstra, the Soundblade costs $299 in Australia. The Australian-based audio wizards are known for making good gear, as evidenced by last year’s X3i Bluetooth speaker that made our best-of list.

Props to whoever named the device: it’s one of the coolest-sounding names for a tech product I’ve heard.

Read more soundbar news on GadgetGuy

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Tapo camera range the tip of TP-Link’s smart home iceberg

Keen to make its smart home technology a household name, TP-Link’s Tapo sub-brand recently showed off its camera range alongside a raft of other interconnected devices at MWC 2024.

Perhaps better known for its networking gear, like the recent Wi-Fi 7 routers, TP-Link has been making a big push into the broader smart home ecosystem in recent years. Under the Tapo banner, there’s a range of home security cameras, video doorbells, smart plugs and lights designed for centralised control.

Some of the devices, like the Tapo C325WB outdoor security camera, are out now, while there are more models on the way soon. On the horizon is the Tapo C425, a battery-powered camera suited to both indoor and outdoor use. It’s advertised to last 300 days in between charges or powered by a solar panel for uninterrupted use.

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Tapo P300 Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip review: save on your power bill

Elsewhere in the home, there’s the Tapo P110M smart Wi-Fi plug. Why a smart Wi-Fi plug, you ask? For starters, it measures the energy use of anything plugged into it, providing a handy estimate of the appliances that contribute to your power bill.

Plus, it talks to Matter-enabled devices, letting you control tech remotely using an app or via voice controls. We recently tested the Tapo P300 smart power strip that performs a similar function, sans the energy monitoring, which is a nice addition.

Smart lighting also falls under the Tapo banner, with the L535E launching late last year. Another Wi-Fi-enabled device, it also supports remote controlling in addition to energy monitoring. It’s this latter feature that increasingly more tech brands are focusing on. We all want to spend less on electricity, so arming ourselves with information is the first natural step.

TP-Link and Tapo go far beyond router and camera devices

Alongside the current and future smart technology on display at MWC 2024, TP-Link further built upon its enterprise-focused Omada Wi-Fi 7 networking technology.

An interesting focus for the brand at the trade show was its Aginet solutions aimed at better connecting service providers and customers. Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer a modem or router and can provide support if something goes wrong at the user’s end.

Image: supplied.

Among the announcements was mention of the HB810 mesh Wi-Fi 7 router. At first glance, other than the Aginet label, it looks identical to the Deco BE85 range in terms of specs, speed, and bandwidth.

However, one key difference is that the HB810 supports remote management via a technology called TP-Link Agient Unified Cloud (TAUC). In other words, ISP customer support can identify and solve networking issues quickly. Remote management isn’t a new concept, but this looks like a streamlined and more powerful diagnostic tool than older methods.

Between smarter Wi-Fi solutions and an expanding smart home ecosystem, TP-Link and Tapo certainly have plenty on the horizon.

Read more smart home news on GadgetGuy

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What is eSIM? All you need to know about the growing phone tech

Letting you easily change mobile network providers in search of the best deal, embedded SIM (eSIM) eliminates the need to visit a phone store or wait for a physical SIM card to arrive in the post.

For decades, mobile phones and other portable devices have relied on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in order to connect to wireless mobile phone networks. As the name suggests, the card contains the details of the network and your account, to ensure that calls to your number come through to your handset.

The very first SIM cards were the size of a credit card, but thankfully they’ve become much smaller over time to fit in smaller gadgets.

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Cheapest SIM plans in Australia – February 2024

Today’s nanoSIM cards are smaller than your fingernail, but there is still the hassle of needing to obtain the physical card. You need to either walk into your local phone store, or else order one and wait for it to arrive by mail – neither of which is very convenient when you’re in a hurry.

Contents

• What is eSIM?
• What are the benefits?
• Which Australian telcos support eSIM?
• Which devices support eSIM?
• Cheapest eSIM plans

What is eSIM?

eSIM is a tiny reprogrammable chip that is built directly into your smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other compatible device. It stores your mobile network providers’ details and your customer ID, so it can mimic one or more physical SIM cards and easily switch between them.

The great thing about eSIM is that it’s a worldwide industry standard, so it works on a wide range of devices, across a wide range of mobile networks and in a wide range of countries.

What are the benefits?

For starters, eSIM makes it easy to move your mobile phone number and data plan to another network provider if you’ve found a better deal.

Even better, eSIM can manage multiple accounts simultaneously, connecting to different networks at the same time. For example, you can install at least eight eSIMs on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time. 

One benefit of this is that you can mix and match different voice and data services from different providers, to ensure you’re getting the best value for money. Another benefit is that you can switch between services depending on which has the best local coverage.

eSIM is also very handy if you need two mobile numbers, such as a personal number and a work number. This way you don’t need to carry two physical handsets. You can make and receive calls from either number, without the need to swap physical SIM cards.

No longer on the hook: physical SIM cards could soon be a thing of the past. Photo by Andrey Metelev on Unsplash

You can also manage mobile accounts from different countries at the same time, which is perfect for travelling. For example, you can easily get a local number when you arrive at your destination, to avoid expensive roaming charges. 

Alternatively, you can turn on global roaming to retain access to your Australian number while abroad, while also getting a local mobile service at your destination to take advantage of cheaper local pricing.

One of the downsides is that you can’t quickly switch eSIMs between handsets, as you can with a physical SIM. This could be a problem if your handset breaks and you want to quickly switch to a backup phone.

Which Australian telcos support eSIM?

Initially, only Australia’s three major network operators Telstra, Optus and Vodafone supported eSIM. Today, many telcos that use the big three’s infrastructure, known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) also offer eSIM plans.

Boost Mobile is one of the most recent to roll out eSIMs, closely followed by TPG and iiNet. In addition to Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, here are the Australian telcos offering eSIMs:

• AGL
• Amaysim
• Boost Mobile
• Circles.Life
• Everyday Mobile
• Exetel
• Felix Mobile
• iiNet
• Kogan Mobile
• Lebara
• More
• Spintel
• Superloop
• Tangerine
• TPG

The three big telcos offer eSIM on pre- and post-paid plans, whilst many MVNOs only support one or the other.

Which devices support eSIM?

Google’s Pixel phones have featured eSIMs since 2017, Apple’s iPhones introduced them in 2018 and Samsung has included eSIMs in its Galaxy line since 2020. Other manufacturers which support eSIM include Huawei, Sony Xperia, Motorola, Oppo and Xiaomi.

Keep in mind, not every handset will let you use two active eSIM accounts at the same time. Some, only let you use one eSIM and one physical SIM at the same time.

Apart from smartphones, many tablets and smartwatches also support eSIM, and it’s starting to become more common in laptops.

Cheapest eSIM plans

Thanks to the ease of changing providers, you can save a decent amount of money on your phone bill. Many of the cheapest SIM plans include eSIM support, reducing the friction of finding a better deal.

These are the cheapest prepaid plans from telcos that support eSIM:

Meanwhile, here are the cheapest postpaid options:

With more supported devices and more telcos offering the technology, you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing your phone network provider.

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Save up to $150 on your internet with these great NBN deals

High-speed internet is more of a necessity than a luxury these days. Fortunately, fast internet doesn’t have to mean breaking your budget. Over the next month, Dodo has some great NBN deals, offering you up to $150 off, including its speedy 245Mbps tier.

Live now until 26 March 2024, you can save on your monthly internet costs with the telco’s introductory offer. For the first six months, the Superfast NBN plan from Dodo is down to $85 a month – a $25 monthly discount. Over six months, that’s a tidy $150 saving. This 245Mbps tier is a good option for busy households that regularly stream 4K video on multiple devices and still want to download large files.

Compared to the cheapest NBN plans, it’s a little bit more than offerings from Spintel and Exetel, although Dodo advertises higher speeds during peak times. Dodo could also be an alternative to Tangerine, the telco recently hit by a cyber attack that resulted in customer information leaking.

See Also

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Cheapest NBN plans – February 2024

More Dodo NBN deals

Dodo also stands out with the current cheapest NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans, both of which are well suited to 4K streaming and remote working. Its NBN 50 plan is down to $59 per month for the first six months, while the NBN 100 plan is only $64. That’s a $21 monthly saving on both tiers, totalling $126 off over the six months.

Here’s how the Dodo NBN 50 deal compares to other providers:

And here’s how its NBN 100 plan stacks up:

Due to the nature of limited-time promotions and introductory discounts, it’s always worth shopping around for the best NBN deals and cheapest SIM plans. For now, the Dodo NBN deals provide a well-priced option across a range of speed tiers, making them worth a look.

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Popular Deebot Neo robot vac just $399 at Aldi for a limited time

One of Australia’s most popular robot vacuums, the Ecovacs Deebot Neo, is coming back to Aldi supermarkets for only $399, which is an absolute steal.

Valued at $799, the half-price sale is part of Aldi’s renowned Special Buys promotion, widely recognised for stocking all sorts of useful home appliances. Part of the range going live on Wednesday, 6 March, the Deebot Neo joins plenty of other discounted cleaning gear.

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Ecovacs Deebot Neo review: a friendly robot vacuum

We reviewed the affordable robot vacuum a while ago, and it’s absolutely worth the investment. Capable of vacuuming your home automatically, the Ecovacs-branded device capably sucks up messes on both hard and carpeted flooring. Although it also includes mopping, it’s more of a bonus feature suited to light, surface-level cleaning compared to the top-of-the-range Deebot X2 Omni model.

Ecovacs Deebot Neo impresses at a bargain price

Robot vacuums are growing in popularity, aided by the affordability of entry-level devices. Not only do they help people save time, but robot vacuums also provide accommodations for those who need help.

Cleaning can be tough for people with restricted mobility, whether it be due to age or disability. In my household, a robot vacuum is a massive help: my partner has multiple chronic illnesses, meaning that I take on many of the manual tasks at home. Tidying the house is often far from my mind, so having a device that reduces both my physical and cognitive load is very welcome!

The Deebot Neo offers a lot of smarts and solid cleaning performance for a low price. Image: Chris Button.

Spend any time on social media, and you’ll see fervent Aldi shoppers singing the praises of the beloved robot vacuum. From cleaning up pet fur to keeping up with busy families, it’s certainly a popular device. Some people even grab two robots so they can use one upstairs and another downstairs. This is pretty clever, considering the Ecovacs app lets you manage multiple floors and devices at the same time.

If you’re keen to grab a Deebot Neo, you’ll want to visit an Aldi store once the Special Buys go live on 6 March. These notoriously sell out quickly, so don’t miss your chance to snag a bargain.

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These smart specs fight back against a future of bulky headsets

Alongside a new slimline phone at MWC 2024, Oppo also shared a prototype of the Air Glass 3, a pair of lightweight augmented reality (AR) glasses aimed at bridging devices in a convenient wearable format.

Oppo described its glasses as “assisted reality” due to the device’s ability to source and display information without needing to pick up your phone. Air Glass 3 connects to Oppo phones running on ColorOS 13 or higher, accessing the company’s AI large language model (LLM), AndesGPT, to drive its assistive features.

Looking like an ordinary pair of glasses, the Air Glass 3 weighs 50 grams, which Oppo claims is lighter than any other device of its kind. Squeezed into the AR glasses is a tiny projector that uses Micro-LED technology to produce imagery up to 1,000 nits of brightness.

Also housed in the frame are speakers that are said to deliver better audio quality than previous iterations. They’re also designed in a way that keeps audio confined to the wearer so people can’t eavesdrop on your phone calls.

What can the Oppo Air Glass 3 do?

AI continues to be a hot topic among tech companies, with the Air Glass 3 no exception. Via the Air Glass app, the glasses pair with compatible phones via Bluetooth. Afterwards, you can use touch sensors located on the frame to control various features.

Once set up, you can use a built-in voice assistant to make search queries and chat with the LLM. Against the backdrop of the recent Apple Vision Pro launch in the US, Oppo positioned the wearable’s lightweight form factor as the future of extended reality. The world’s fourth best-selling smartphone company suggested that smaller designs are needed for the technology to take off.

Aside from burgeoning AI features, the Air Glass 3 also displays information at a glance, including the time, images, and music playback information. Some of the features planned for the future sound genuinely helpful, like the teleprompter tool.

As it’s just a prototype, don’t expect the specs to arrive on our shores anytime soon. Regardless, it’s an interesting look at the future of AR that doesn’t need a massive headset to enjoy.

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