MATE Mobile Phone Plans Review
Australian-owned telco MATE has built a strong reputation as an NBN and ADSL provider, offering competitive broadband plans with no lock-in contracts and a minimum of fuss. But the brand also sells a range of equally value-packed mobile plans, all offering unlimited national talk and text and plenty of gigabytes per month.
MATE’s SIM-only mobile plans are postpaid and flexible, with no contracts and the option to cancel at any time without penalty. Alongside perks such as data banking, MATE also rewards loyal customers with a monthly internet discount for bundling both phone and broadband – making the provider one to keep on your shortlist if you’re looking for an all-in-one telco.
If you’re considering buddying up to MATE as your next mobile provider, we’ve broken down the telco’s mobile plans below.
What does MATE mobile offer?
| MATE postpaid plans | |
|---|---|
| Entertainment bonuses | |
| Data-free video streaming | |
| Data-free music streaming | |
| International calls/texts | |
| International roaming | |
| Set-up fees | |
| Data overage fees |
MATE network and coverage
Mate uses parts of Telstra’s 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks to deliver coverage nationwide. This means around 23 million Australians will have coverage on a MATE mobile plan. More detailed information can be found on MATE’s website.
Features and bonuses
MATE’s mobile plans all feature unlimited standard national talk and text within Australia, plus monthly data, but there’s some other perks on offer:
- International calls: All MATE mobile plans include unlimited standard calls and SMS to 15 selected countries.
- Data banking: All plans allow users to bank or store 500GB or 1000GB of unused data each month.
- Bundle deal: Bundle a MATE mobile plan with MATE internet and save on your monthly bill.
- International roaming: No international use is available on MATE plans.
MATE mobile plans
MATE offers SIM-only plans, meaning you’ll need to bring your own unlocked smartphone. All plans offer coverage on parts of Telstra’s 3G and 4G networks, with 5G access also available on select plans. All plans are free from contracts and available month-to-month only, so you cancel or switch between plans at any time.
The following table shows a selection of MATE postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. If you want to compare a larger range of offers from other providers, use our phone plan comparison tool.
MATE contact details/customer support
MATE support is based entirely in Australia, and operating hours are from 8.30am to 7pm Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays.
- MATE’s customer service number is 13 14 13
- Online AI chat and live chat is available, as well as a self-help web portal
- Email help is available at support@letsbemates.com.au
How do MATE mobile plans compare?
MATE’s plans offer good value for customers wanting mid-range postpaid service with some nice perks, especially if you’re after Telstra network coverage. Similar providers include:
The following table shows a selection of published postpaid plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of lowest standard monthly cost to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see all plans available on Canstar Blue’s database. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Here is a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Try out our comparison tool for mobile phone plans to see a range of offers from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
The following table shows a selection of SIM-only postpaid plans with a minimum of 60GB data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Try out our comparison tool for mobile phone plans to see a range of offers from other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Is a MATE mobile plan a good deal?
If you’re already a MATE NBN customer, a switch to MATE mobile could be a money-saving move, especially if you feel like you’re overpaying for your current plan. A $10 monthly discount adds up, and MATE’s mobile plans offer plenty of features and data for each price point.
Even if you’re not looking to bundle phone and internet, you can do a lot worse than MATE in the postpaid plan space. MATE’s dollars-to-data ratio puts it ahead of bigger names such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. The inclusion of data banking is also a welcome feature for customers with varying data needs, as having a ‘rainy day’ stash of gigabytes can come in handy in times when your home internet is down or you’re on the road.
Unlimited international calls to selected countries is also a standout feature, and one to look into if you’ve got family and friends overseas. However, a lack of international roaming options means you’ll have to find an alternative travel SIM provider if you’re planning a trip abroad. If you’re a current Telstra user wanting to downsize your bill, a switch to MATE means more or less the same national coverage, but you won’t have access to 5G across all plans.
Overall, MATE’s mobile plans are worth considering if you’re after a simple, data-packed postpaid service with no commitment. However, you may also want to try other Telstra network providers such as Woolworths Mobile, Belong and TeleChoice, or Boost Mobile if you’re happy to go prepaid.
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About the author of this page
This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent around a decade writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including NBN plans, wireless technology, the latest mobile devices and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of.