Hive Mobile Phone Plans & Prices
Hive Mobile is no longer operating, with plans no longer available to new customers. The telco was owned by Moose Mobile, with new customers directed to sign up to Moose Mobile, which also operates on the Optus Network. You can use our comparison tool to compare postpaid plans from a wide range of providers.
The following table shows a selection of published postpaid plans on Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of lowest standard monthly cost to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see all plans available on Canstar Blue’s database. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
What does Hive Mobile offer?
If you’re looking for perks and extras, such as unlimited streaming or entertainment, Hive Mobile may not be for you: the focus here is on low-price essentials, not add-ons which will drive up your monthly plan costs. The following table is a quick list of what is, and is not, included in Hive Mobile plans – either as a standard feature, or an optional extra.
| SIM-Only plans | |
|---|---|
| Entertainment bonuses | |
| Data-free video streaming | |
| Data-free music streaming | |
| International calls/texts | |
| International roaming | |
| Set-up fees | |
| Data overage fees |
Hive Mobile network and coverage
Hive Mobile is what’s known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means instead of operating its own mobile network, the telco simply uses someone else’s. In this case, Hive Mobile’s coverage is provided by Optus, so customers will have access to Optus’ 4G Plus networks (except on the 90GB SIM plan, which is limited to 3G Plus data).
Optus’ network covers 98.5% of the Australian population – just behind Telstra’s network, and ahead of Vodafone. The telco has also been stepping up its rural coverage in recent years, and has committed to investing one billion dollars to improve service in regional and remote areas in 2018.
More than 2,200 new Optus towers have been built in over one thousand regional towns, and almost 1,500 existing towers have been upgraded – so even if you don’t live in one of the major cities, Optus is working to keep you connected.
Features and bonuses on Hive Mobile
Like other budget-friendly providers, Hive Mobile doesn’t pad its plans with extra features, such as data-free streaming or included international calls. However, international calling is available on a pay-as-you-go basis: rates vary according to country, but as an example:
- Calls to the UK: $0.72 per minute
- Calls to the US: $0.37 per minute
- Calls to China: $1.39 per minute
Texts to countries outside Australia are priced at 45c per SMS, while MMS will cost you 65c. As of this time, Hive Mobile does not offer international roaming on any plans – you’ll need to look into a travel SIM if you plan to use your phone overseas.
Hive Mobile Contact/other details
If you need help with your Hive Mobile service, the telco offers Brisbane-based phone support, plus live chat and online FAQs.
- General customer support: 1300 032 787 (Mon-Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat 10am-6pm)
- Live chat
- Email: admin@hivemobile.com.au
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiveMobile.Australia/
- Twitter support: @Hive_Mobile_AU
How does Hive Mobile compare?
As a no-frills, low-cost telco, Hive Mobile offers some seriously competitive plans, especially at the 1GB price point. It’s an option well worth considering for low-level users who want the security of unlimited talk and text, but don’t require much data.
If you’re interested in Optus network coverage, but want to shop around first, there are quite a few similar MVNOs offering cheaper SIM-only plans – check out the list below:
- Southern Phone
- Moose Mobile
- Circles.Life
- OVO Mobile
- Yomojo
- Amaysim
- Vaya
- Catch Connect
- Coles Mobile
- Dodo
- Exetel
- iiNet
- SpinTel
Is Hive Mobile a good deal?
If you have your own phone, want to save money on your monthly mobile bill, and don’t require extras such as international calls or roaming, Hive Mobile is well worth considering. You’ll pretty much get everything you need from a plan – unlimited talk and text, and a range of data options – without paying for inclusions that you’ll probably never use.
Hive Mobile’s $12.80 plan is a definite pick for anyone wanting to keep their costs under $15 per month, but higher data users can still find a good deal. The $28.80 plan with 10GB is a great larger data option, as is the 18GB plan, and is competitively-priced in comparison to other Optus MVNOs (such as Amaysim, OVO Mobile, and Southern Phone).
However, if you’re looking to pick up a phone on a plan, or want prepaid options, Hive Mobile isn’t quite right for you. You may be better off with Optus itself, or looking into Southern Phone (one of the few small providers to sell devices on plans).