Mobile Virtual Network Operators – or MVNOs – are all the smaller telcos outside of the Big Three (Vodafone, Optus and Telstra). You’ve probably already heard of loads of them. Amaysim, Belong, ALDI Mobile, Boost, Pennytel, Tangerine… The list goes on.
And one would be forgiven for thinking that the smaller the telco, the smaller the network they provide. But that’s simply not the case. Why?
Because all telcos use the same networks as Vodafone, Telstra or Optus. The Big Three resell their networks to the smaller providers, and you get the same coverage (with one exception, but we’ll get to that in a minute).
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Because MVNOs tend to have smaller overheads (and not so many perks), you can usually nab a cheap phone plan with the same level of coverage, for much less.
It’s no secret Telstra offers the widest coverage in Australia, and we often pay a premium for the privilege. The full network reaches 99.5% of the population, however Telstra offers a wholesale network to its MVNOs, which is slightly smaller and covers 98.8% of the population. If you’re in a city location, this is unlikely to matter, but rural customers may start to notice a difference.
Boost Mobile is the exception to the rule, as it has full access to Telstra’s 3G and 4G networks.
One of the main drawbacks of using a Telstra MVNO is that they don’t have access to the 5G network. That’s not to say that they won’t get access to the high speed 5G network later down the track, but for now if you want 5G you’ll need to be with Telstra proper.
But, if you just want 4G access, then a plan with a Telstra MVNO could save you some dosh on your monthly phone bill.
Unlike Telstra, Optus re-sells its full network to its MVNOs, which covers 98.5% of the Aussie population. The MVNOs that use the Optus network include Moose Mobile, Dodo, Coles Mobile, Spintel, Southern Phone, amaysim, Circles.Life, gomo and Australia Post.
And if you’re looking for 5G coverage, you’re in luck because Southern Phone, Spintel and Aussie Broadband all have access to the Optus 5G network.
Like Optus, Vodafone resells its entire network to its MVNOs, which covers 96 per cent of the population.
The MVNOs that use the Vodafone network include felix mobile, Internode, iiNet, Lebara, TPG and Kogan.
If you want access to Vodafone’s 5G network, though, you’ll need to sign up to a Vodafone plan – for now, anyway.
Kate Reynolds is Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, Australia’s mobile and internet comparison site.
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