Tara Donnelly

Tara Donnelly is Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology, across news, reviews and how-tos. Tara has spent more than a decade covering these topics in Australia, the US and Canada, which means she’s written about countless product launches and industry changes, including the rise of 5G, Australia’s ongoing NBN rollout, the recent years of energy price volatility and the rise of renewable energy sources. Tara also has long experience in writing within the comparison industry, giving her great insights into the information consumers want when determining which plan or device will best meet their needs, while time spent in the financial sector before turning her talent to content lets her crunch the numbers on price with ease. Tara leads the coverage of Canstar Blue’s ratings and awards for the internet and phone sectors and is an expert at advising consumers on how to use comparison tools to find the best power, internet or phone deal. Her expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. Tara 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.


Telstra Plus rewards program now live

Posted by April 5th 2023

Early last month, Telstra announced the upcoming launch of Telstra Plus: an all-new loyalty and rewards program offering redeemable points, perks, and VIP benefits. As of today, Telstra Plus is officially live across Australia - …


ACCC to block TPG-Vodafone merger

Posted by July 7th 2022

Five months after expressing its initial concerns with the proposed merger of TPG and Vodafone, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will officially oppose the deal. In a statement released (albeit accidentally), the Commission …



Amaysim vs Vaya

Amaysim vs Vaya: How do they compare?

Posted by October 3rd 2024

Amaysim and Vaya are two telcos offering fantastic SIM-only plan value. But which offers the best deals? Find out at Canstar Blue.


ACCC: NBN customers are paying more but getting less

Posted by July 5th 2022

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken aim at NBN pricing, claiming that affordability has become a serious barrier to entry for Australian broadband customers. ACCC Chair Rod Sims discussed the issues with current NBN pricing …



Samsung’s Galaxy Fold smartphone: innovative, but expensive

Posted by October 17th 2022

With all the hype over Samsung's just-announced Galaxy S10 line - including the upcoming Galaxy S10 5G - it's been easy to overlook the Korean tech company's fifth big smartphone unveiling: the Galaxy Fold. And …


ACMA releases telco customer service report

Posted by February 24th 2022

Telco regulatory body the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released its latest report into customer service performance from Aussie mobile and internet providers, giving a small glimpse into just how (and how well!) major …


TPG cancels mobile network, blames Huawei ban

Posted by July 27th 2022

Way back in April of 2017, Aussie telco TPG announced its intentions to take on Telstra, Optus and Vodafone by building its own Australia-wide mobile network. Almost two years later - and less than six months …


Samsung confirms foldable Galaxy phone for 2019

Posted by April 12th 2023

After months of speculation, Samsung has confirmed its world-first foldable smartphone will launch later this year. First glimpsed in November at Samsung’s own Developers Conference, the as-yet unnamed device is now expected to arrive in the …