Tara Donnelly

Tara Donnelly is Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology. She has spent more than a decade covering these topics in Australia, the US and Canada, and has authored over 500 Canstar Blue articles. Her expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC , The Australian Financial Review, 4BC Radio and The Sydney Morning Herald. Tara has been nominated for multiple awards for her technology reporting, including Canstar Blue’s highly commended recognition for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. She has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and is passionate about simplifying complex subjects so consumers aren’t just informed, they’re connected and confident. You can read more of Tara's published articles and follow Tara on LinkedIn.


Young woman using smartphone against orange wall

Southern Phone is Australia’s best-rated phone provider

Posted by June 28th 2021

If you’ve noticed your phone bill steadily rising, your coverage lacking, or you’re just ready to make a change, it’s probably time to find a new mobile plan. But if you’re also looking to upgrade …


Woman with smartphone putting coin in piggy bank

ACCC warning: Aussies paying too much for phone plans

Posted by February 22nd 2023

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned customers to keep an eye on increasing mobile plan costs, after analysing recent price changes from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. The big three telcos have all adjusted …


Smiling man posing for selfie with dog in park

New report ranks Australia’s telcos on commitment to green energy

Posted by September 5th 2023

Greenpeace has released its latest briefing paper into how Australia's biggest telcos are leading the 'race to renewables', ranking the biggest companies on their commitment to cleaner energy. Somewhat surprisingly, Australia's largest telco emitter is …


OPPO A53 phones in mint and black

OPPO A53 review: a pretty phone with a great battery

Posted by October 17th 2022

A multi-time winner of Canstar Blue's Most Satisfied Customers award for smartphones, OPPO has risen from being a little-known challenger brand to an increasingly popular choice for Aussie phone users. OPPO offers a range of …


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NBN provider Superloop to acquire Exetel

Posted by June 8th 2021

Another Aussie telco sale is in the cards, with NBN provider Superloop announcing plans to acquire internet and mobile reseller Exetel. Superloop has officially confirmed its intent to nab the Australian-owned Exetel in what is set …


TPG NBN Plans & Prices

Posted by January 19th 2024

TPG has fast become one of the most popular home internet service providers in Australia. Behind Telstra, it’s become one of Australia’s largest telcos, thanks to its acquisition of iiNet and its subsidiaries (including Internode), …


Young man using phone against yellow wall

Optus hits one million 5G devices, turns on fast mmWave 5G

Posted by February 22nd 2023

Optus has hit a major 5G milestone, confirming today that it now has one million 5G-ready devices operating on its network. If that's not enough, the telco has also announced that its first-ever mmWave 5G …




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Optus raises mobile plan prices, but adds more data

Posted by February 22nd 2023

Optus has made sweeping changes to its Choice postpaid mobile plans, increasing the monthly cost but adding substantially more data. The key changes include bumping up all plan prices by $6 per month, but offering up …