Best Rated Mobile Broadband Plans & Providers

See Our Ratings Methodology.

Most Satisfied Customers | ALDI Mobile

For its fifth year in a row, ALDI Mobile has taken out top spot for Canstar Blue’s ratings for Mobile Broadband Provider. ALDI managed a five-star clean sweep across all categories including overall satisfaction.

Fact Checked Fact Checked

How we rate mobile broadband providers

Our Customer Satisfaction ratings compare a range of mobile broadband providers as rated by Australians. It’s like asking a bunch of Aussies what they think about their provider and plan, but all in the one place.

Canstar Blue surveyed 766 Australians with a current mobile broadband service for their feedback on their mobile broadband provider. Respondents had to have a current internet service in their name, and be the bill payer.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their mobile broadband provider from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Mobile broadband provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:

  • Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with an mobile broadband provider as an individual score, NOT the combined total of all criteria.
  • Customer service: the mobile broadband provider had multiple service options for customers and was relatively easy to get in contact with.
  • Value for money: the plan cost was reasonably priced for the quality performance and service provided.
  • Bill and cost clarity: the bill supplied by the provider was easy to understand.
  • Speed and coverage: there was good mobile network coverage and the internet speed met expectations.
  • Ease of setup: the sign up process was rather quick and simple.

The winning brand is the brand that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating. All the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are then combined and averaged to determine the overall winner.

  • Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and therefore win the award. If a clear leading brand still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

To qualify in the ratings results, brands must have received a minimum of 30 responses to be included. Therefore, not all mobile broadband providers will be compared in this survey. Brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

  • ALDI Mobile
  • Telstra
  • Optus
  • Vodafone

Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings.

Best Mobile Broadband Providers in Australia

  1. ALDI Mobile
  2. Telstra
  3. Optus
  4. Vodafone

1. ALDI MobileALDI Mobile

Ratings result

ALDI Mobile has come out on top for our mobile broadband ratings for the fifth year in a row. It scored an impressive five stars across all categories including overall satisfaction, customer service, value for money and speed and coverage.

Editor’s notes

ALDI Mobile offers a simple selection of mobile broadband plans which it refers to as ‘data plans’. These plans can be paired with a tablet or dongle and all three plans carry a 365 day expiry period, along with data rollover. Plans start at $95 for 30GB of data and go up to $365 with 365GB of data.

ALDI Mobile Broadband Plans

The following table shows a selection of published ALDI Mobile mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
ALDIMobile Logo

$95 Data Pack

  • SIM only plan
  • Includes data rollover

min. cost $95 over 365 days

30GBMax Data**/billing period $95Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable
ALDIMobile Logo

$240 Data Pack

  • SIM only plan
  • Includes data rollover

min. cost $240 over 365 days

185GBMax Data**/billing period $240Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable
ALDIMobile Logo

$365 Data Pack

  • SIM only plan
  • Includes data rollover

min. cost $365 over 365 days

365GBMax Data**/billing period $365Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable
View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue

2. Telstra

Ratings result

Telstra scored second place in our ratings with a four star score in overall satisfaction, bill and cost clarity, speed and coverage and ease of setup. It scored three stars for customer service and value for money.

Editor’s notes

Telstra offers a wide range of mobile broadband products to suit a variety of users. You can choose from a data-only SIM, or plans bundled with USB dongles and other mobile broadband devices, plus prepaid mobile broadband plans.

Telstra Mobile Broadband Plans

The following table shows a selection of published Telstra mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Telstra Logo

Small

  • SIM only plan – pay upfront via AutoPay
  • No excess data charges in Australia
  • 5G access included
  • Share your data with up to 10 plans across your account

min. cost $25 over one month

30GBMax Data**/billing period $25Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Telstra Logo

Medium

  • SIM only plan – pay upfront via AutoPay
  • No excess data charges in Australia
  • 5G access included
  • Share your data with up to 10 plans across your account

min. cost $58 over one month

75GBMax Data**/billing period $58Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Telstra Logo

Large

  • SIM only plan – pay upfront via AutoPay
  • No excess data charges in Australia
  • 5G access included
  • Share your data with up to 10 plans across your account

min. cost $90 over one month

400GBMax Data**/billing period $90Advertised Cost^^/billing period
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

3. Optusoptus-transparent-logo-compressed

Ratings result

Optus took out third place, scoring four stars for bill and cost clarity along with ease of setup. It scored four stars for overall satisfaction along with customer service, value for money and speed and coverage.

Editor’s notes

Optus offers a range of data-only plans which can be used with a device — such as a tablet — along with a simple selection of portable modems, perfect for on-the-go internet use.

Optus Mobile Broadband Data SIM plans

The following table shows a selection of Optus mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

Brand Features Max Data/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Optus Logo

Choice Plus Data Plan

  • SIM Only
  • Month-to-month plan (SIM plan price, inclusions & add-ons may change as notified)
  • 5G network access
  • No excess data charges in Australia. Speed will be capped at max 1.5Mbps

min. cost $20 month to month

20GBMax Data**/billing period $20Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable

4. Vodafone

Ratings result

Vodafone rounded out our ratings, scoring four stars for customer service, value for money and ease of setup. It scored three stars for overall satisfaction, bill and cost clarity along with speed and coverage.

Editor’s notes

Vodafone, much like Telstra and Optus, offers a range of mobile broadband products, including modems, data-only SIM plans and prepaid mobile broadband. If you choose a mobile broadband device, you can pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months and bundle it with a data-only plan.

Vodafone Mobile Broadband Plans

The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Vodafone Logo

Small Data SIM Only Plan

  • SIM only plan
  • No excess data charges for use in Australia

min. cost $20 over first month

30GBMax Data**/billing period $20Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable
Vodafone Logo

Large Data SIM Only Plan

  • SIM only plan
  • No excess data charges for use in Australia

min. cost $40 over first month

70GBMax Data**/billing period $40Advertised Cost^^/billing period Link to provider unavailable
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

Other mobile broadband providers

There are many other telcos out there offering mobile broadband products, however some providers may refer to these as ‘data plans’ or ‘data-only SIMs’. Some other providers offering mobile broadband include:

  • Amaysim
  • Aussie Broadband
  • Belong
  • Southern Phone

Amaysim Mobile Broadband Plans

The following table shows a selection of  published Amaysim mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Amaysim Logo

Sim Only 7GB

  • SIM Only

min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period

7GBMax Data**/billing period $15Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
Amaysim Logo

Sim Only 50GB

  • SIM Only

min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period

50GBMax Data**/billing period $40Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
Amaysim Logo

Sim Only 90GB

  • SIM Only

min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period

90GBMax Data**/billing period $60Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

The following table shows selected published Aussie Broadband mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period

5GB Mobile Broadband Plan

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data sharing

min. cost $15 over one month billing period

5GBMax Data**/billing period $15Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

25GB Mobile Broadband Plan

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data sharing

min. cost $25 over one month billing period

25GBMax Data**/billing period $25Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

40GB Mobile Broadband Plan

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data sharing

min. cost $35 over one month billing period

40GBMax Data**/billing period $35Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

60GB Mobile Broadband Plan

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data sharing

min. cost $45 over one month billing period

60GBMax Data**/billing period $45Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

100GB Mobile Broadband Plan

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data sharing

min. cost $65 over one month billing period

100GBMax Data**/billing period $65Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

The following table shows selected published Belong mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period

Small

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data speeds capped at 100Mbps
  • Data gifting available

min. cost $15 over one month billing period

20GBMax Data**/billing period $15Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

Medium

  • SIM Only
  • 4G network access
  • Data speeds capped at 100Mbps
  • Data gifting available

min. cost $35 over one month billing period

100GBMax Data**/billing period $35Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site

Large

  • SIM Only
  • 5G & 4G network access
  • Data speeds capped at 250Mbps on 5G and 180Mbps on 4G
  • Data gifting available

min. cost $70 over one month billing period

400GBMax Data**/billing period $70Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

Southern Phone Mobile Broadband Plans

The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Southern Phones Logo

Extra Small

  • SIM Only

min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period

7GBMax Data**/billing period $15Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
Southern Phones Logo

Small

  • SIM Only

min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period

15GBMax Data**/billing period $25Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
Southern Phones Logo

Medium

  • SIM Only

min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period

50GBMax Data**/billing period $40Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
Southern Phones Logo

Large

  • SIM Only

min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period

100GBMax Data**/billing period $65Advertised Cost^^/billing period Go to Site
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband can be one of the more confusing internet services available (and is often mislabelled as home wireless broadband, which we will expand on further down). Some providers refer to their mobile broadband plans as ‘data only’ plans, but they’re essentially the same thing. A mobile broadband plan relies on a mobile network (like your smartphone does) in order to access the internet, whether that is using a 4G network or 5G network.

Sometimes these plans come in the form of a SIM card only, which can be used with your smartphone or tablet device. This SIM will usually only include access to mobile data, and be unable to make calls or send SMS. Alternatively these plans could be paired with a mobile broadband dongle or device, which can be plugged into your computer or used as a modem to connect devices to a WiFi network.

Typically mobile broadband is useful for accessing the internet while travelling or as an additional internet service in the home if you need a separate connection, or your home internet experiences frequent dropouts.

How to compare mobile broadband providers and plans

With so many telcos out there offering mobile broadband plans, and some carrying the ‘data only SIM’ label, it can be hard to know what to look for if you’re considering a mobile broadband plan.

Out of those surveyed, 30% of the respondents used their mobile internet around the home, finding it more reliable or faster than other internet services, while 22% used it alongside their other internet connection. 25% used it at home because there wasn’t another internet option available, while 15% purchased their plan primarily to work while travelling.

When you consider how you’ll be using your mobile broadband plan, you can then look at cost, data inclusions and more to help you compare a range of plans and providers to find the best deal for your needs.

What plan do you need?

When you consider how you plan on using your mobile broadband (whether that’s for internet access when travelling, for a backup service at home, etc), you’ll have a clearer idea of what kind of plan you’ll need.

If you’re looking primarily for a plan so you can use your tablet device without a nearby WiFi connection, you’ll need a data-only SIM. For travelling, or use at home with a computer, you’ll most likely need a plan with a modem (or to buy your data-only SIM and modem separately) or dongle. A USB dongle plugs directly in a computer, while a modem (much like home wireless and NBN modems) will allow multiple devices to connect to a WiFi network powered by a 4G or 5G mobile network.

Data inclusions

Once you’ve got a clearer idea of what kind of plan you want, you’ll then need to consider how much data you’ll need. If you’re only using your plan for lighter activities (web browsing, emails and social media browsing) and for short periods, you might find a cheaper plan with small data inclusions will suit.

If you plan on using your mobile broadband for longer periods, such working from home or as a substitute for other internet services (NBN, etc), you’ll likely need a bigger data inclusion. Keep in mind that, like a phone plan, the more data a plan has, the more expensive it will be. If you’re unsure about how much data you’ll need, you can read our mobile data guide for more information.

If you’re using mobile internet as your primary internet at home for high intensity activities (video calls, streaming video, playing online games, etc) you might want to consider home wireless broadband instead. We’ll go into more detail on this further down the page.

Network coverage

As mobile broadband uses a mobile network to access the internet, you’ll need to have good network coverage to get the most from these plans.

Mobile broadband plans operate on one of three mobile networks — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone — although smaller providers are able to access these networks to also offer plans. When signing up to a mobile broadband plan, it’s best to use the network coverage map on the telco’s website to ensure you have coverage in the places you’ll need it (home, work, travel destinations, etc).

Cost

Cost may be the deciding factor if you’re comparing plans from several providers. Once you’ve got an idea of how much data you need, which networks you’re after and what kind of plan you’ll need, you might then want to compare plans based on price to find the best value for money.

What is the difference between mobile broadband and home wireless broadband?

Mobile broadband and home wireless broadband (sometimes referred to as ‘home wireless internet’, ‘4G home internet’ or 5G home internet’) both use a mobile network to deliver internet access. However, the uses for these services vary.

Mobile broadband (including data-only SIMs) is focused on portability of the service. The data-only SIM can be used in a tablet (or even a smartphone) to be used away from a WiFi network. When paired with a USB dongle or modem, you can often take these devices with you when travelling, around the home, etc. The modems will usually have a battery inside the device, which allows you to take it with you, and dongles will typically be plugged into a computer. These services aren’t meant to be a full time replacement to a home internet service, such as NBN, which is why data inclusions are generally smaller and plans may be more expensive for bigger data inclusions.

Home wireless broadband is designed as a home internet service to use instead of other connections (such as NBN, satellite, etc). That’s why it’s more common to find larger data inclusions or unlimited data on these plans. You might also find more 5G home wireless services are available, as 5G offers faster speeds to keep up with activities such as video streaming and online gaming. Home wireless plans will often include a modem, and this modem will typically need to be plugged into a powerpoint to keep it powered.

If you’re comparing mobile broadband plans as your primary in-home internet service, you might look into home wireless to see if these plan prices and data inclusions are better suited to your needs.

About our telco experts


Emma Bradstock: Senior Telco Specialist

Emma-Circle

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for the last 4 years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Sam Howse Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Canstar Blue surveyed 12,200 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have a mobile broadband plan in their name and they pay the bills – in this case, 766 people.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overalls satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.

Here are past winners of Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Mobile Broadband ratings:

  • 2022: ALDI Mobile
  • 2021: ALDI Mobile
  • 2020: ALDI Mobile
  • 2019: ALDI Mobile
  • 2018: Virgin Mobile
  • 2017: Vodafone
  • 2016: Optus

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