How to Get a Cheaper Phone Plan (Without Losing Coverage)
We have been getting lots of DMs like this lately:
“I’ve just had an email saying my phone provider is putting up their plans AGAIN and I think paying $70 is getting ridiculous, considering the plan was $45 when I originally joined.
What are your tips or hacks for saving money on phone bills but keeping good coverage?”
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Phone plans have been creeping up in price, and a lot of us are paying way more than we need to. The good news? There are some super easy ways to cut that bill down without ending up with bad reception or slow data.
Here is how to do it:
1. BYO Phone = Big Savings
If your phone is already paid off (or if you are happy to buy a new phone outright when needed), going for a BYO phone plan is usually much cheaper than getting a phone on contract.
Telco contracts often bundle in phone repayments and charge more for the plan itself. Once you own your phone, you can switch to a SIM-only or prepaid plan for way less.
2. Look at Smaller Providers That Use the Same Networks
Here is the big tip: a lot of smaller, cheaper phone providers actually use the exact same network as the big three (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone).
For example:
✅ ALDI Mobile uses the Telstra wholesale network
✅ Boost Mobile uses the full Telstra network (the only smaller one that does)
✅ Belong is owned by Telstra
✅ Amaysim uses the Optus network
✅ Kogan uses the Vodafone network
If you love Telstra’s coverage but not the price, Boost or ALDI Mobile could save you heaps without sacrificing coverage.
3. Compare Yearly Plans
Another hack is to look at 12-month prepaid plans instead of paying month to month.
These plans often give you a big data allowance up front (eg. 200–300GB to use over the year) for a much lower overall cost. You can often get these for around $150–$200 for the year, which works out to around $12–$16 a month.
Examples to look at:
→ Boost Mobile yearly plans
→ ALDI Mobile yearly plans
→ Kogan yearly plans
If your data use is pretty steady, this can be a game-changer.
4. Time Your Switch
If your current provider has told you prices are going up, that is the perfect time to shop around and switch before the increase hits.
You can also:
→ Negotiate — If you tell your current provider you are thinking of leaving, they will often offer a discount or a retention deal (which this DM-er already did… great move!).
→ Port your number — When switching to a new provider, you can keep your existing phone number. It is usually a super easy process.
5. Check What You Actually Use
Before you switch, look at how much data and call time you actually use.
→ If you are paying for 100GB a month but only using 10GB, you can definitely drop down to a smaller, cheaper plan.
→ If you mainly use Wi-Fi at home and work, you might not need as much data as you think.
6. Watch for Hidden Costs
When comparing plans, check for:
→ Setup or SIM fees
→ Speed caps (some cheaper plans cap download speeds)
→ International call or roaming charges (if you need these)
Final Thoughts
If your phone plan is creeping up in price, you absolutely do not have to stick with it. There are so many great options out there now, and a little bit of research can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
If you are nervous about switching, you can always test a smaller plan for a month or two first. And remember you can often keep the exact same coverage by choosing a smaller provider on your preferred network.
Happy saving! And if you have a favourite cheap phone plan or provider, jump into our Facebook group and share the love. The best tips always come from our community.
