Compare Unlimited Data Mobile Plans

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What is unlimited mobile data and how does it work?

Unlimited mobile data is what it says on paper — mobile data that is unlimited with no caps on how much data you can use. While unlimited data is available in other countries, it’s still a bit of an anomaly in Australia, only offered by a few telcos and usually with a catch.

The advantage to signing up to an unlimited data plan is that you won’t need to worry about running out of data if you happen to be a heavy user. This also means you won’t have to pay any excess data charges for use in Australia if you go over your data inclusions.

However, before you jump onto an unlimited mobile data plan, these plans do come with a catch, no matter which of the four telcos you sign up with. Before signing up to any phone plan, it’s important to read all the information to ensure you know what you’ll be signing up for with your plan.

Is unlimited data really ‘unlimited’?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has cracked down over what constitutes ‘unlimited’ data, threatening fines for misleading advertisements. The end result is that the big three telcos have removed ‘unlimited’ from its advertising. Instead, you’ll see terms like ‘full speed data’, ‘data at no extra cost’ and so on. Vodafone has previously described its plans as ‘endless’ data — avoiding the prickly term ‘unlimited’ altogether — but in September 2020, rebranded its plans as offering ‘infinite’ data.

Former ACCC Chair Rod Sims said that this crackdown has put the three telcos on notice. “With much higher penalties now available for breaches of consumer law, I hope they will take their obligations more seriously. From now on consumer law penalties will seriously affect their bottom line, and we will not hesitate to seek the highest possible penalties.”

Overall, while data could still technically be described as ‘unlimited’, the fact is that after a certain amount of that ‘fast speed’ data, data is typically speed-capped. If you’re interested in one of these phone plans, it’s important to read the Critical Information Summary to know how much full-speed data you’re getting and if there are any further restrictions. 

Read more: What is a good internet speed?

Vodafone had previously offered a phone plan with unlimited data with no capped speed across its 4G and 5G networks (where 5G is available), however this plan is no longer available.

But, do you really even need unlimited data? Well, we’ve done a full breakdown of how much mobile data you need on a phone plan to help you determine how much data you need and whether an unlimited plan is right for you.

What does endless data mean to each Australian telco?

Five Australian telcos offer some form of ‘unlimited’ data phone plan, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Belong and Felix. But what are the catches?

 The biggest ‘catch’ is the fact that speeds are throttled after a certain amount of data use: all Telstra and Optus plans cap unlimited speeds at just 1.5Mbps, Vodafone has 2Mbps capped speeds and Belong has 1Mbps capped speeds. Felix offers a plan with unlimited data (with no fast-speed inclusions) however these speeds are capped at 20Mbps, and its other plans with data inclusions are capped at 1.5Mbps. Each telco has pros and cons to its plans.

• Vodafone offers a capped speed slightly faster than Telstra and Optus, but not by much
• Optus offers a bit more data for money at the higher end of its plans (excluding bonus data offers), plus 5G network access is included on all plans (and the Optus 5G network is larger than Vodafone’s)
• Telstra includes a few more perks than the other two, which could justify the higher price, plus it has the largest 5G network
• Felix offers unlimited data on its most expensive plan (but with 20Mbps capped speeds), is certified as Climate Active Carbon Neutral, and will plant a tree for every month your plan is active
• Belong includes capped 1Mbps speeds, but is also slightly cheaper priced than the big three telcos

Which carrier’s phone plan is better is dependent on your needs. Do you value flexibility and peace of mind from truly unlimited data, or do you value a host of extra data-free goodies that could see your full-speed data go further? The decision is yours.

Source: Respective retailer websites, August 2024.

Which provider has the best unlimited data mobile plan?

Telstra unlimited data mobile plans

Telstra offers ‘unlimited’ capped data on a range of SIM-only postpaid plans along with plans bundled with phones, with unlimited 5G access on plans with 5G inclusions. If you still want unlimited data, and don’t mind a cap on your speed, all of Telstra’s Upfront plans come with no excess data charges, i.e. you’ll get unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps. This is available alongside your plan’s full-speed data inclusions.

Optus unlimited data mobile plans

Optus was the first to drop an unlimited phone plan, called ‘Unleashed’. However, the telco had withdrawn the plan only to offer it again later and then remove it indefinitely. Optus now offers ‘endless data’ and joins Telstra and Vodafone by eliminating excess data charges with ‘unlimited’ capped-speed data on postpaid phone plans.

These postpaid plans are month-to-month, with 5G access included on all plans, and are available as SIM-only or bundled with a new phone (bundling with a phone will lock you into a 12, 24 or 36-month device payment plan). Once you’ve used your plan’s fast-data inclusion, you’ll be able to keep using your data but at the capped-speed of 1.5Mbps. 

Vodafone unlimited data mobile plans

Vodafone had previously offered a fast-speed unlimited data plan, but this is no longer offered and instead customers will have access to ‘infinite’ capped-speed data at 2Mbps available as both month-to-month SIM-only plans or bundled with a new device. There are three plans to choose from with access to the Vodafone 4G network and the expanding 5G network (if available in your area). Once this data is used up, you’ll have access to unlimited data capped at 2Mbps speeds.

Felix unlimited data mobile plans

Felix offers unlimited data on its most expensive phone plan, however, that unlimited data is capped at speeds of 20Mbps. The good news is that 20Mbps is typically fast enough for most general usage including web and social media browsing, streaming music and HD video.

You’ll pay $40 per month, and Felix uses a prepaid/subscription model, so you’ll need to pay your $40 in advance and it renews automatically. In addition to your unlimited capped-speed data, you’ll get unlimited standard national calls and SMS included. The plan is also month-to-month with no exit fees if you cancel, so you can cancel at any time. Felix also works towards being more environmentally friendly, as its products are certified as Climate Active Carbon Neutral and powered by 100% renewable electricity.

If you’re happy to skip the faster capped speeds in order to save some money, Felix’s two cheaper plans have set data inclusions and once you use up your data allowance, you can continue using data at the capped speeds of 1.5Mbps.

Belong unlimited data mobile plans

Belong offers four postpaid plans and doesn’t charge excess data fees; instead, customers who exceed their plan inclusions can continue using data, but at capped speeds of 1Mbps. This is available across all of Belong’s plans, which also include unlimited data banking and the option to gift unused data to other customers. Belong runs on the Telstra 4G and 5G networks, with 5G access included on all plans.

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How can I get unlimited 5G data?

If you want to experience the next level of mobile technology with a 5G phone plan, you’ll be able to get 5G network access on unlimited data plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. All three telcos include 5G network access on postpaid plans. However, keep in mind that these ‘unlimited’ data plans are at capped speeds and won’t take advantage of the speeds that 5G is capable of — you’ll only be able to take advantage of 5G speeds with your data inclusions.

About our phone experts

Tara Donnelly: Utilities Editor

As Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly covers the electricity, internet and mobile sectors – topics she’s spent a decade focused on, alongside consumer technology, within the comparison industry. Her telco expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. You can follow Tara on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Josh Filosi: Data Insights Analyst

Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.