By
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor
Last updated

Vodafone has refreshed its postpaid mobile range, cutting down the number of plans it offers to three. As part of these changes, Vodafone's most affordable postpaid plan now starts at $45 per month, up from $40 per month despite having the same 40GB data inclusion.

A Vodafone spokesperson told WhistleOut "small monthly increase in price is a necessary response to inflationary pressures and the increased costs of doing business".

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and continue to invest in our products, services and network capability to provide a greater customer experience," said the spokesperson.

Vodafone has also eliminated its top-end plan with truly unlimited data. Its plans now max out with a 300GB data allowance.

Here is Vodafone's complete new range of SIM-only plans:

Vodafone
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
  • 65GB data
  • Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 16.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
Link not supplied

These plans can also be paired with a new phone, like the upcoming Galaxy S23 series.

The plans are all free from excess data fees; if you go over your allowance, you'll be capped to speeds of 2Mbps. While that's faster than the 1.5Mbps offered by Telstra and Optus, Vodafone previously capped some speeds to 10Mbps. This faster capped data is no longer part of the new plan range.

The majority of these changes can be chalked up to simplicity, according to the Vodafone spokesperson.

"This refresh reduces the number and complexity of our postpaid plans in market, making it simpler for customers to better match their pricing and data needs," said the spokesperson.

"The removal of speed tiers in our refreshed plans keeps all plans aligned and consistent across the whole portfolio, while also giving customers enough speed to do the basics (like web browsing and emails), should they exceed their monthly data quota."

These changes only apply to customers signing up to a new Vodafone plan. Existing customers will remain on their existing plan.

Vodafone increasing the starting price of its plans isn't altogether surprising, given that Telstra and Optus both did so around the middle of last year. Telstra's most affordable Upfront SIM-only plan starts at $58 per month with 40GB, while Optus charges a minimum of $49 per month for a postpaid plan with 30GB.

#1
Optus
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
  • 100GB data
  • Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
#2
Vodafone
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
  • 65GB data
  • Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 16.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
Link not supplied
#3
Telstra
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
  • 50GB data
  • Deal: Get $37/mth off your first 4 months on a new Upfront Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 30.11.26. T&Cs apply
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $24
Link not supplied

Vodafone still offers better data for dollar than its biggest competitors, but the price increase may make smaller providers even more attractive for anyone who already owns a phone.

Here's a look at the cheapest SIM-only plans with at least 40GB per month:

#1
Dodo
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
  • 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 6 mths, then $30/mth. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 08.12
$15.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#2
Moose Mobile
Moose Mobile
Moose 50GB SIM Only
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50GB for $17– Includes $13 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $30. Offer ends 30.06.27
$17.00/mth
Min. cost $17
#3
Pivotel
Pivotel
75GB Mobile 4G Plan
  • 75GB data
  • Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.45/mth for first 6 months, then $34.90/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$17.45/mth
Min. cost $17.45
#4
Swoop
Swoop
60GB SIM Only 5G
  • 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027
$23.00/mth
Min. cost $23
#5
SpinTel
SpinTel
$29 Mobile Plan
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$29.00/mth
Min. cost $29
#6
Belong
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 25GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 30.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
#7
Coles Mobile
Coles Mobile
$35 Mobile Plan
  • 90GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: Get 45GB bonus data for the first 3 months. Offer ends 02.02.27
$35.00/mth
Min. cost $35
Link not supplied
#8
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
50GB 5G Mobile SIM
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply.
$36.00/mth
Min. cost $36
#9
Optus
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
  • 100GB data
  • Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
#10
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile
$40 SIM Only
  • 70GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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