Telstra is the largest telco provider and mobile network operator in Australia. But just how wide is Telstra’s coverage? In this article, learn about Telstra’s mobile coverage and whether Telstra is the best network provider for you.
What is network coverage?
Network coverage refers to the geographical area where a telco’s mobile services are available, allowing users to make calls, send texts and use mobile data.
As a result, the larger the coverage area offered by a telco provider, the more places in Australia you can call or message from.
Telcos often publish coverage maps on their websites to show where their services are available. These maps can help consumers to choose a provider based on their coverage needs.
What are the ‘black spots’ in Telstra’s mobile coverage?
Mobile black spots refer to areas without network coverage. These are typically rural regions where a telco provider’s infrastructure is lacking, places where signals can’t reach, such as underground car parks, or where phone signals are obstructed by tall buildings. The Australian government and major telco providers have collaborated on the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to reduce the number of areas with limited or no service, helping customers make phone calls from anywhere in Australia.
Types of network coverage in Australia
With phone technology constantly evolving and improving, Australia has a number of phone networks in operation. 4G and 5G are the most common and popular network technology types, with 3G now phased out across Australia, as of October 2024.
The difference between each network coverage option is the speed at which they operate (with 5G faster than 4G), as well as how much of Australia they cover.
Telstra 4GX
Telstra 4GX is a step-up from the original 4G network, with Telstra claiming speeds up to six times faster than the 4G network.
4GX can reach further than other 4G frequencies, improving coverage in rural and regional areas, while additionally offering faster speeds in metro areas.
4GX is only available on select mobile phones, but Telstra will automatically switch customers to the 4GX network if their phone is compatible. If you’re buying a new phone and want the best coverage possible, look for the Blue Tick.
Telstra 5G
Telstra also offers fast 5G coverage in selected areas. As of October 2024, more than 400 cities and towns can access Telstra 5G, making it the widest-reaching 5G network in Australia.
5G offers significantly faster data speeds, as well as an increased network capacity — so it enables more people to share the network at once without compromising on performance. 5G access is now included on all Telstra postpaid and prepaid mobile plans, but you’ll need a 5G-capable smartphone to use the network.
Prepaid offers you might like
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What is Telstra’s satellite mobile coverage?
Telstra’s Mobile Satellite helps customers stay connected while they live, work, or travel through Australia’s remote areas.
Telstra provides mobile voice, SMS, and data services via the Iridium satellite network, ensuring access in some of Australia’s most isolated regions. Telstra offers Iridium handsets, along with a variety of satellite phone plans.
Where does Telstra cover in Australia?
Telstra claims to cover 99.5% of Australia’s population and offers a number of network coverage options, including 4G and 5G networks and satellite.
While most areas are covered by 4G or 5G, regions further from major cities often have less coverage and may require additional devices, such as antennas, to access a suitable network. Telstra offers a number of products to help with improved coverage, which you can find on its website.
What other providers use the Telstra network?
There are plenty of telco providers within the Australian market and all of them use the networks provided by Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. Known as ‘Mobile Virtual Network Operators’ (MVNOs), these smaller telco providers ‘piggyback’ off the larger providers to offer phone plans and services. Below are the other telco providers that operate on the Telstra network:
- ALDI Mobile
- Better Life Mobile
- Belong Mobile
- Boost Mobile
- CMobile Blue
- Everyday Mobile
- Exetel
- MATE
- More Telecom
- Numobile
- Pennytel
- Superloop
- Tangerine
- TeleChoice
- Think Mobile
You can check out what each provider has on offer in our guide to the best plans on the Telstra network.
Compare plans on the Telstra mobile network
Postpaid plans on the Telstra network
The table below shows a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard advertised monthly cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our phone plan comparison tool to see a wider range of plans from other providers. These are products which may contain links to referral partners.
Prepaid plans on the Telstra network
The table below shows a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard advertised monthly cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wider range of plans from other providers. These are products which may contain links to referral partners.
How does Telstra coverage compare to Optus & Vodafone?
With Telstra covering over 98.8% of the Australian population, how do the other major telcos compare? According to their websites, Optus covers 98.5% of the total Australian population, while the Vodafone network covers 95.4%.
While coverage generally isn’t an issue for those living or working in big cities, it becomes a crucial factor for those in rural areas. The extent of your network’s coverage may determine which telco provider you choose.
Should I buy a phone plan with Telstra coverage?
Ultimately, your choice of provider will depend on your individual circumstances, including how often you’ll be using your phone, what you’ll be using it for, and where you’ll be living.
While Telstra is one of the biggest telcos in Australia, and offers the widest coverage, researching plans, phones, and extras that each telco provides will help you find the best option.
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