Best-Value Mobile Plans – Average Usage
Considering our national average for data consumption (2.2GB a month) most of us will fall into the bracket of average usage. That is, someone using their device for daily calls, text, email and apps, including music streaming, instant messaging and social media. Money has had to increase the monthly data allowance in this category, going from 2GB last year to 5GB. But will that suffice?
“5GB will do most people with ease,” says Joe Hanlon from WhistleOut. “Providing you’re not a heavy video user or constant live-streamer, 5GB is just enough to allow most of us to operate a wide range of applications with confidence and without the fear of racking up huge bills.”
With 5GB for $23.95 a month – plus bottomless calls, SMS, MMS and voicemail retrieval within Australia – SpinTel’s
Large Plan takes top billing.
At that price point SpinTel has the best plan for anyone looking for unlimited domestic calls and texts. Even after an initial upfront cost ($10) the plan is $5 cheaper a month than its competitors. But Jeenee Mobile is a close second at $25 a month, also with a $10 upfront cost.
Both SpinTel and Jeenee Mobile offer $50 worth of international credit each month as part of these plans, which is an added bonus.
Third placegetter Kogan gives you 1GB more data than SpinTel and Jeenee Mobile but it will cost you about $5 more. It’s a 30-day prepaid option.
Nowadays, excess data charges are fairly standardised; you’ll simply have to purchase a topup. With SpinTel, for example, you’ll pay $10 per 1GB block once your data runs out but you can also opt for data to be capped when you reach your limit and then purchase a data pack rather than having it automatically topped up.
You should get plenty of warning when you’re close to your limit – most providers will send free SMS alerts once you’ve reached 50%, 85% or 100% of your allowance.
“You can also monitor your data usage yourself in settings,” says Hanlon. “It doesn’t hurt to tally up what you’re spending with what you’re actually using each month, so that you can right-size your plan. If you’re only using 3GB but paying for 5GB, it’s really money for nothing. Why pay for what you don’t use?”
The beauty of no fixed contracts these days means that whether you want to upsize or downsize, you can tailor a plan to suit your needs and switch with ease.