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 looks set to merge with Vodafone after the Federal Court gave the green light to this proposed merger, despite the ACCC’s attempt to block the deal.

While there is a lot of competition out there when it comes to low-cost, value packed 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?

How does TPG Mobile compare to other prepaid providers?

The following table shows a selection of published prepaid plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of lowest standard monthly cost to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. These plans have been compared to TPG Mobile’s T4G Large Plan . 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 6GB of data (up to $39.99 with 30GB of data). All of these plans include unlimited standard talk and text, with three 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.

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 Medium, Large and Extra Large prepaid plans all include 100 international minutes, not restricted by country. 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 6GB 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 14GB of included data for $24.99.

TPG T4G Large plan

The Large plan has the same unlimited standard national talk and text, plus 25GB 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 30GB 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 aren’t restricted to certain countries.

If you’re considering making the switch over to TPG, you might want to keep track of the company’s news updates as the merger with Vodafone looks to be going ahead, pending a few final hurdles. 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.

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