TPG Mobile Phone Plans Review

Founded by enigmatic billionaire David Teoh back in 1986, TPG is one of Australia’s biggest Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). TPG utilises the Vodafone 4G network and offers several cheap, good-value phone plans in keeping with its overall budget-friendly image. While TPG had started work on building its own network to challenge the big three — Telstra, Optus, and current TPG network provider, Vodafone — those plans have fallen through. Instead, TPG has now merged with Vodafone to form TPG Telecom, with TPG’s technical assets being utilised to improve performance of Vodafone’s mobile network.

While there is a lot of competition out there when it comes to value packed and cheap phone plan providers, TPG is one of the bigger players, especially after its takeover of iiNet. TPG has built a reputation for offering some competitive SIM-only prepaid mobile plans: but just how does it stack up, and is TPG the right telco for you? Read on to find out.

How does TPG Mobile compare to other providers?

The following table shows a selection of published postpaid plans on Canstar Blue’s database, 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.

TPG plans at a glance

TPG keeps its mobile phone plans simple, with four month-to-month prepaid plans available starting at $19.99 per month with 8GB of data and go up to $39.99 with 55GB of data. All of these plans include unlimited standard talk and text, with one of the four plans including international minutes.

TPG also offers a fifth plan, which runs as a pay-as-you-go service – an interesting option if you don’t use your phone much. Rather than requiring you to recharge, all TPG plans can be renewed automatically, via direct debit payments from your nominated bank account or credit card.

What does TPG offer?

TPG might not have the entertainment extras you’ll find from bigger telcos — or even some smaller ones — but you can expect good value for your money. Each of the prepaid plans offer a reasonable amount of data at good prices, as the top-level plan doesn’t go over $40. If you’re not a heavy data user, you can comfortably choose the Small plan, as it still includes unlimited standard national calls and SMS.

Having a pay-as-you-go option helps TPG to stand out: pay-as-you-go isn’t a particularly common feature anymore, but there are still some people who might find this service the best plan for their needs. If you go over your data allowance, you’ll be charged $10 for every extra gigabyte you go over your limit.

TPG network and coverage

TPG is currently powered by the Vodafone 4G network, which covers over 22 million Australians. As the third largest mobile network in Australia, most areas can expect decent mobile coverage, and the good news is that Vodafone is also committed to building more towers to expand coverage to more areas of Australia. With the merge of Vodafone and TPG, it looks like there will be more investment in improving the existing Vodafone mobile network, including the rollout of its 5G network.

You can check the TPG site to see coverage and availability in your area. The telco is also in the process of building its own mobile network to rival that of the big three in major cities.

Features and bonuses

While TPG like to keep plans fairly simple, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t incentive to switch to the provider. There are reasonably generous data offerings and bonuses that could make switching worthwhile.

• Unlimited talk and text: All of TPG’s prepaid mobile plans, even at the lowest price point, include unlimited standard national talk and text. If you don’t need much data on your plan, the Small plan is a very attractive offer.
• International calls: Have friends and family overseas? The good news is that the Extra Large prepaid plan includes 100 international minutes, however there are 20 countries excluded from this usage, including Fiji, Iran, Nepal, Samoa and Sri Lanka . Once you’ve used up your included value, you’ll be charged the international call rate specified on the TPG site.
• International roaming: If you’d rather keep your TPG prepaid SIM card activated when travelling, you can enable international roaming before you head overseas. Using roaming is dependant on which country you travel too and you’ll be charged higher roaming fees for usage. While roaming is available, TPG recommends you disable mobile data before travelling to avoid high data usage fees.

Individual products

TPG T4G PAYG plan

The pay-as-you-go plan from TPG starts at $1 (prepaid) per month for the service, and all other charges for call, text and data use (beyond the 50MB of included data) are taken from your $20 prepayment. The prepayment amount will automatically be topped up once your balance reaches below $10. You might also be charged upfront for your SIM card.

Brand	Features	Max Data**/billing period	Advertised Cost^^/billing period
	T4G PAYG PAYG Data 10c per MB $20 upfront cost min. cost $21 for first month	50MBMax Data**/billing period	$1Advertised Data^^/billing period
View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

TPG T4G Small plan

On the lowest level of the SIM-only prepaid plans, you’ll receive unlimited standard national calls and text, plus 8GB of data. If you go over your data allowance, you’ll be charged $10 for each 2GB block you go over.

TPG T4G Medium plan

As with the Small plan, you’ll get unlimited standard national calls and text, but with 16GB of included data for $24.99.

TPG T4G Large plan

The Large plan has the same unlimited standard national talk and text, plus 40GB of data to use all for $29.99 per month.

TPG T4G Extra Large plan

The top-level plan offers the unlimited standard national calls and text included in other prepaid plans, in addition to 100 international minutes and 55GB of data.

TPG contact details/customer support

Need some help with your TPG plan or service? The telco offers several contact and support options, including:

• General customer support: 13 14 23
• Mobile-specific support: Account support 1300 993 019, technical support 1300 997 273
• Live chat
• TPG community forum
• Contact form
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPGTelecom
• Twitter:  @TPG_Telecom

How does TPG compare?

TPG isn’t the only telco offering Vodafone network coverage at lower prices. The following providers also use parts of the Vodafone network.

• C Mobile
• GoTalk
• Hello Mobile
• Kogan Mobile
• Lebara
• Think Mobile

Is TPG a good deal?

TPG is definitely one of the largest mobile carriers outside of the big three. If you’re interested in Vodafone network coverage, TPG does offer you a little more data for your money than what you’ll (generally) find on a Vodafone prepaid plan. But while the unlimited standard national calls and SMS are a big plus, the international call inclusions aren’t as generous as you might find with plans from other providers. However, the included international minutes are only restricted to certain small number of countries.

If you’re considering making the switch over to TPG, you might find your mobile coverage improves from the merger with Vodafone, especially with the rollout of TPG’s existing technology to improve service. Currently as it stands, there’s some good value for money available, so it’s worth keeping TPG in your considerations as you compare phone plans.

About the author of this page

This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent over seven years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including NBN plans, wireless technology, the latest mobile devices and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of.

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