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SIM-Only Mobile Phone Plans
If you’ve been locked into the two-year new-phone-and-plan cycle, you may not be familiar with SIM-only phone plans. An alternative to signing a standard 24-month phone contract, a SIM-only plan allows you to bring your own device to the provider and plan of your choice.
Instead of a new handset, you’ll receive a SIM card that’s connected to your telco’s network. Insert it into your unlocked phone, activate and set up your plan, and you’re good to go – without the long-term contracts and hassle of signing up for a new device.
Generally, a SIM-only plan will feature all the inclusions and extras provided on your telco’s standard two-year plans. But because you’re not adding in the cost of a brand-new smartphone, you’ll pay less each month, and won’t be required to sign a lock-in contract (unless, of course, you opt for a 12-month plan).
You’ll also get to pick your own device: whether it’s brand new, pre-owned, or your mum’s old Nokia brick with Snake as a game, you’re not limited to the often small range of new phones stocked by providers. Telcos use the promise of a new, shiny smartphone as a means of chaining customers to a network long-term; skip the phone upgrade, and you’ll enjoy more flexibility, more choice, and higher savings.
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Reasons to go SIM-only
The obvious reason to jump to a SIM-only plan – also known as a bring-your-own-phone (BYO) plan – is the potential to save cash, even just short-term. Reasons you might be better off on a SIM-only plan include:
- You love your current phone and don’t need to replace it.
- You’re looking to cut down on your monthly mobile costs.
- You’re waiting for an upcoming phone release, and don’t want to upgrade or sign a new contract just yet.
- You like to swap between phones, your mobile usage can vary month-to-month, or you just want more flexibility from your mobile plan.
Essentially, if you’re happy with your current phone and want to save on your mobile bill, SIM-only is worth looking into. What you’ll need to decide, besides how much data you’ll need, is if you want to go month-to-month or sign up on a year-long plan, and if you’d prefer a postpaid or prepaid service.
Prepaid SIM-only plans
If you like to pay in advance, and don’t want the worry of potential overages, prepaid plans are your best bet. You’ll pay for a set number of inclusions or credit each billing period (usually 28, 30, or 35 days); once this is exceeded, you’ll need to manually recharge before you can call, text or use data.
Prepaid plans can be every bit as competitive as postpaid options, and brands such as Boost Mobile, Amaysim or OVO Mobile offer great deals (as listed below). You’ll also find great value in supermarket mobile brands, such as ALDI Mobile.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $20 over 28 day billing period |
15GB | $20 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $20 over 35 days |
6GB | $40 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $34.95 over 30 day billing period |
15GB | $34.95 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $30 over 28 day billing period |
5GB | $30.00 | Go To Site |
 View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
12-month SIM-only plans
Although many people opt for a SIM-only plan to avoid signing contracts, the biggest deals are usually reserved for customers on 12-month BYO postpaid phone plans. Telcos want you to stick around, so it makes sense that year-long plans come with the biggest value; if you’re not afraid to commit, it’s a great way to lock down a good price and score some great plan inclusions.
Vodafone’s SIM-only plans offer great incentives, but smaller brands such as Southern Phone and Moose Mobile are also worth checking out. Below are just some of the 12-month SIM-only plans featured on Canstar Blue, all of which include unlimited talk and text, and plenty of gigabytes each month.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $420 over 12 month plan period |
18GB | $35 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $348 over 12 month plan period |
10GB | $29 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $540 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $45 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $299.88 over 12 month plan period |
10GB | $24.99 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Month-to-month SIM-only plans
Not ready to be locked into a single plan or provider? You can always sign up for a month-to-month SIM plan. Most telcos will offer no-contract plans for customers bringing their own devices, although they may come with slightly less data or inclusions than equivalent plans on a 12-month agreement.
Plenty of MVNOs (smaller operators using Telstra, Vodafone and Optus’ networks) sell affordable, data-packed SIM-only plans with no lock-in contract (for example, Yomojo and Exetel). Below is a selection of great month-to-month plans compared by Canstar Blue.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $29 over billing period |
5GB | $29.00 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $34.90 over 30 day plan period |
10GB | $34.90 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $40 over 1 month plan period |
15GB | $40 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $34.99 over 1 month plan period |
10GB | $34.99 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Unlimited data on SIM-only plans
If you think going SIM-only means limits on your data, think again. Vodafone launched two unlimited data postpaid options earlier this year, and the good news is they’re both BYO-phone compatible.
Vodafone’s $60 Plus Plan and $80 Plus Plan both feature unlimited data, although speeds are capped at 1.5Mbps. But each plan also includes a hefty amount of high-speed 4G gigabytes: 40GB on the $60 option, and 80GB on the $80 plan. The telco also frequently offers bonus data on both unlimited plans, so depending on when you sign up, you can score even more monthly fast gigabytes.
Both plans also include unlimited standard national talk and text, plus up to 3300 standard international calling minutes each month. However, these plans are only offered on a 12-month contract, so you do need to be prepared to stick around.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $720.00 over 12 month billing period |
Unlimited* | $60.00 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $960.00 over 12 month billing period |
Unlimited* | $80.00 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Unlocking your phone
Before you take your phone to a SIM-only plan, you’ll need to make sure it’s unlocked from its original network. If you bought your device on a postpaid plan, it’s probably already unlocked, but there are exceptions. Fortunately, unlocking a device from a specific telco’s network is easier than ever; you can usually do it yourself online, provided you have your phone’s IMEI number.
To find this number, simply dial *#06# from your mobile phone. Once you’ve got this number ready, head to the website of the telco that you bought the phone from originally, or call its customer service centre. Be aware that while it’s normally free to unlock your phone, you may be asked to pay a fee for prepaid phones if you service is still relatively new.
If you bought your device at full price directly from the manufacturer, or from a retailer such as JB HiFi, great news: your phone is unlocked out-of-the-box, and free to take to your choice of provider and plan.
Which SIM-Only plan is right for me?
So you’ve reviewed an array of SIM-only phone plans in a variety of price brackets, and you’re ready to make a change. Before you switch, there’s still a few questions you’ll need to ask yourself to make sure you’re jumping on the right plan.
- Which phone network do I prefer? There are three phone networks in Australia – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, with TPG set to launch its own network in the near-ish future. Smaller service providers use one or more of these networks to deliver their services.
- What inclusions do I need? There is little point paying for unlimited calls and texts if you’re not going to make the most of them. Likewise, give serious thought to how much data you actually need.
- What is my budget? If you’re bound by a budget like most of us, compare plans in a particular price segment, and search for the best value you can get for your money.
At the end of the day, a SIM-only plan is a great choice if you want the freedom to choose your phone, or you’re after more variety in plan offerings – the choice of which plan, however, is completely up to you!
