Vodafone’s 5G mobile network rollout is underway, with coverage available now in selected suburbs.
And while Vodafone still has work to do to catch up to its competitors, the telco’s selection of 5G-capable smartphones, low plan prices, and promise to customers to never charge extra for 5G access, make it a worthy consideration when you’re looking to try out the next-generation mobile technology.
If you’re a current Vodafone user looking to test out 5G, or you’re weighing up a move to a Vodafone mobile plan, we’ve got all the info on the telco’s 5G network – including where to get it, how to access it, and what you’ll pay for a 5G phone plan.
In this guide we’ll cover:
- Where Vodafone 5G is available
- 5G smartphones from Vodafone
- How much Vodafone 5G costs
- Vodafone 5G speeds
- Vodafone 5G internet
Where is Vodafone 5G available?
Vodafone’s 5G network first went live in 2020, offering limited coverage exclusively in and around the Sydney suburb of Parramatta.
So, when will Vodafone have 5G across the country? The telco has said it aims to provide 5G coverage to 85% of Australians in the country’s six most populated cities by the end of 2021 – so that’s a majority of residents of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.
Vodafone 5G sites scheduled to go live in the next 12 months
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Central Coast
- Geelong
- Gold Coast
- Melbourne
- Newcastle
- Perth
- Sydney
Below, you’ll find general maps of anticipated 5G coverage areas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To check current coverage in your area, head to Vodafone’s website.
Vodafone 5G coverage map in Sydney
Vodafone 5G coverage map in Melbourne
Vodafone 5G coverage map in Brisbane
Which phones can access Vodafone’s 5G network?
Vodafone now stocks a sizeable range of 5G-ready smartphones, available to pick up on a 12, 24, or 36-month handset payment plan.
Below is more information on two of the most popular 5G devices available on Vodafone plans, the Apple iPhone 14 and the Samsung Galaxy S22.
Apple iPhone 14 series
Vodafone stocks the full iPhone 13 range, including the standard 14, 14 Pro, and the 14 Pro Max.
- You can use the full iPhone 14 range on Vodafone’s 3G, 4G and 5G networks (where available), although you may need to make sure 5G mobile is activated in your device’s settings.
Vodafone’s handset payment options mean your device costs are separate to your Vodafone mobile plan, but you can pair your iPhone with any of the telco’s SIM-only mobile plans.
Below is a selection of 24-month Vodafone plans for the 128GB iPhone 14 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost from lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Samsung Galaxy S22 series
Vodafone stocks the S22, S22+ or S22 Ultra on 12, 24, or 36-month payment options. You can combine your device with a Vodafone SIM-only mobile plan.
- All 5G-capable phones in the Samsung Galaxy ranges will work with Vodafone 4G and 3G networks, so you’ll still be able to use data in areas without 5G coverage. If you’re planning to use 5G where available, make sure you’ve switched on 5G mobile in your device’s Settings app.
Below is a selection of published 24-month Vodafone plans for the 128GB Samsung Galaxy S22 from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see a wider range of plans from other providers. These are products with links to referral partners.
How much do Vodafone 5G phone plans cost?
Vodafone has declared that it will not charge customers extra for 5G access. Customers are able to access 5G as long as they have a 5G capable device and are in a 5G network.
- Vodafone SIM-only postpaid options start at just $45 per month for unlimited standard national talk and text, 40GB of maximum speed data and unlimited extra data capped at speeds of just 2Mbps.
- Plans go up to $65 monthly for 300GB of full speed data, plus unlimited 2Mbpsdata, although Vodafone does frequently offer loyalty discounts and price cuts for those purchasing new devices.
5G access is available on all three of Vodafone’s postpaid mobile plans, but you’ll need to be using a 5G-ready phone (and be in a 5G-covered area) to try out the new network. In comparison, while Telstra’s 5G coverage is far more extensive, not all mobile or mobile broadband customers can access it.
5G phone plans compared
The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 15 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB Samsung Galaxy S23 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB Google Pixel 7 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
How fast is Vodafone 5G?
While we know that 5G mobile has the potential to be ten or more times faster than existing 4G, Vodafone remains cagey about the exact speeds customers can expect on 5G-capable smartphones.
- Previous public 5G demonstrations by Vodafone and Nokia achieved speeds of about 1.5Gbps, but official average speeds under real-world conditions haven’t been disclosed.
With Optus reporting average 5G speeds of about 200Mbps and up, and Telstra 5G delivering a similarly fast performance on 5G devices, Vodafone customers can expect the telco’s new network to eventually outstrip its current 4G service. But as it’s still early days for Vodafone 5G, you may need to wait until later in 2022 to see lightning-fast speeds on your own 5G-compatible devices.
What about Vodafone 5G internet?
All Vodafone customers in areas with Vodafone 5G coverage can connect to the telco’s 5G internet plans, which begin at $75 per month for unlimited data.
Vodafone offers two 5G internet options:
- $75 plan with speeds capped at 100Mbps
- $85 plan with no speed restrictions
Both plans are contract-free, with a Vodafone 5G Home Broadband Modem that is free when you stay connected to your plan for 36 months.
Customers may need to wait for Vodafone’s 5G network rollout to progress before they can access these plans. If you’re looking to compare, Telstra and Optus now each offer some form of 5G broadband: Telstra offers 5G access on two of its postpaid mobile broadband plans, while Optus has launched two new unlimited data 5G home wireless broadband plans for eligible customers.
Optus’ 5G internet plans begin at $75 per month for unlimited data with a speed cap of 100Mbps, and $90 monthly for unrestricted speeds (and an average busy hour download speed of 239Mbps). If you go with Telstra, you can access 5G from $50 per month for 60GB of full-speed 5G data, plus unlimited data capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps.
SpinTel has also recently launched 5G home wireless options, which provide coverage on Optus’ 5G network. Plans begin at $70 per month on a two-year contract and include unlimited data with no speed restrictions.
You’ll need a compatible 5G device to access all of the above plans, but Telstra, Optus and SpinTel each provide 5G modems or WiFi hotspots to eligible customers. A selection of 5G mobile broadband and home wireless broadband plans are below.
5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows selected published 5G home internet 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Broadband Max Plan
min. cost $79.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $79.99 | |
 |
min. cost $84.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $84.99 | Go to Site |
 |
Home Broadband Max
min. cost $84.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $84.99 | |
 |
min. cost $85 over one month |
Unlimited | $85 | Go to Site |
 |
min. cost $85 over one month |
1TB | $85 | Go to Site |
 |
Optus 5G Internet Entertainer
min. cost $90 over one month |
Unlimited | $90 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
SpinTel 5G Unlimited
min. cost $90 over one month |
Unlimited | $90 | Link to provider unavailable |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
5G Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published 5G mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Large Data SIM Plan
min. cost $45 month to month |
60GB | $45 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
min. cost $55 over one month |
75GB | $55 | Go to Site |
|
Large Data SIM Plan
min. cost $60 month to month |
100GB | $60 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
min. cost $85 over one month |
400GB | $85 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Related articles
Share this article