BYO Phone (SIM Only)
In this SIM-only plans guide:
- What are the different types of SIM-only plans?
- Which providers offer SIM-only plans in Singapore?
- Things that you need to watch for with SIM-only plans
- Is it better to buy a phone outright and get a SIM-only plan?
- Cheap SIM-only plans in Singapore
- Award-winning SIM-only plans in Australia
- No contract SIM-only plans
- SIM-only plans FAQs
What are the different types of SIM-only plans?
With SIM-only plans in Singapore, all you pay for is a SIM with service from your telco of choice. Whether its a brand new device, or one you've had for a while, you bring your own phone. They're also called BYO plans for that reason.
SIM-only plans come in two types: prepaid and postpaid plans. The main difference between the two is when you pay.
With a prepaid SIM-only mobile plan you pay for your plan upfront.
- These plans might vary in expiration. The most common is 28 or 30-day expiry
- When your plan expires, you forfeit any remaining credit until your next recharge
- Many telcos offer an option to auto-recharge once you use up your inclusions
Postpaid SIM-only plans are paid after the fact, just like most utility bills.
- They're billed month to month with no lock-in contract (exact billing date varies by telco)
- If you exceed your monthly data allowance some providers may hit you with "excess data charges"
- Some telcos offer unlimited data (more on that below)
At a minimum, with a SIM-only plan in Singapore you'll typically get:
- Unlimited standard national voice calls to other Australian numbers
- Unlimited standard national SMS and MMS to other Australian numbers
- Unlimited calls to 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers
- Some SIM-only plans even include international calls to selected destinations
Other commonly seen features you'll get with SIM-only plans include:
Data rollover
Unlimited data
5G connectivity
Which providers offer SIM-only plans in Australia?
Big telcos like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone aren't the only ones who offer SIM-only mobile plans in Australia. There are also many smaller providers to choose from. These smaller providers are officially called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). The same mobile networks that power the big three major telcos, power MVNOs.
Typically, because they don't have to pay the overheads to maintain the network MVNOs have simpler products, and cheaper prices. With an MVNO you can get an affordable service on the much-coveted Telstra network and the popular Optus network, and even a few offer Vodafone coverage.
Telstra SIM-only plans
Telstra SIM-only plans are super simple. There are just three plans to choose from, and they come with:
- Unlimited talk and text
- No lock-in contract
- No excess data fees
- 5G network coverage (where available)
- Family data-sharing options
- Access to the Telstra Plus rewards and perks program
As all plans are no contract, so you're free to switch to a different plan once per month or leave Telstra for a competitor any time you like.
SIM-only plans on the Telstra network
Telstra's network reaches 99.8% of Australians making it the largest network in the country (this figure includes the use of external antennas). Except for Boost Mobile, Telstra MVNOs access only a part of this network which covers 98.8% of the population.
These are the cheapest mobile plans with at least 20GB of data from Telstra MVNOs:
Optus SIM-only plans
Optus SIM-only plans cost more than what smaller providers charge, similar to a Telstra plan. However, what sets Optus' plans apart from the smaller providers is the range of extras you get with an Optus plan. Optus' plans all come with:
- Unlimited talk and text
- No lock-in contract
- No excess data fees
- 5G network coverage (where available)
- Data-sharing options
- Discounted access to Optus Sport
Optus also offers the option to bundle streaming TV and other subscription services together under one bill with Optus SubHub, and there are discounts available for bundling multiple services.
SIM-only plans on the Optus network
Optus has the second-largest in Australia which covers 98.5% of the population.
These are the cheapest mobile plans with at least 20GB of data from Optus MVNOs:
Vodafone SIM-only plans
Vodafone SIM-only mobile plans come with perks that are similar to Optus and Telstra:
- Unlimited talk and text
- No lock-in contract
- No excess data fees
- 5G network coverage (where available)
- Data-sharing options
A couple of key differences though are Vodafone's great value $5 per day international roaming, and its bundle and save discounts. You can bundle Vodafone mobile, tablet and pocket WiFi plans and Vodafone will take 5% off all plans for each one you add, up to a maximum of four extra plans.
SIM-only plans on the Vodafone network
Vodafone used (and still does) have the smallest network of the big three. However, thanks to a new network-sharing agreement Vodafone's network now covers 98.4% of Australians. This means you now get extra coverage in regional areas making Vodafone's MNVOs worth a real shot because they have some great offers.
Here are the cheapest mobile plans with at least 20GB of data from Vodafone MVNOs:
Expert tip: Find a SIM-only plan on the same network that costs less
"By researching MVNOs more thoroughly, I discovered I could switch from Telstra to its smaller telco, Boost Mobile, get the same widespread Telstra coverage and save my family $960 a year."
Christie Graham, Digital Content Editor
Things that you need to watch out for with SIM-only plans
There are a few things to be on the lookout for when choosing between SIM-only plans:
- Most inclusions are for within Australia only - In many cases, these mobile plans won't include overseas usage. Even when they do, international roaming can be costly if you don't have an add-on option
- Some plans don't include international talk, text and MMS - However, it is becoming increasingly common to find a plan with some international calling inclusions. You can usually find these in a list of countries you can call/text. There might be limits on how many minutes and texts you can use each month
Expert tip: Look out for speed caps on SIM-only plans
“Many mobile plans now come with a speed cap, which refers to the maximum download speeds you’re able to achieve on that plan. 100Mbps is the most common speed cap we’ve seen, which is roughly the equivalent of an NBN 100 plan.
"While 100Mbps should still be more than enough for most users, it’s still worth keeping in mind - especially if you’ve purchased a new 5G phone and you were expecting faster speeds for example.”
Alex Choros, Managing Editor
Is it better to buy a phone outright and get a SIM-only plan?
These mobile plans end up being cheaper than regular plans because you don't have to pay for a new phone. They have the same bells and whistles as regular plans.
This kind of mobile plan might be right for you if:
- You're looking to pay less on your monthly phone bill
- You already have an unlocked phone that you want to keep (or are willing to get it unlocked)
- Your contract is ending, but you're waiting for a new phone release to upgrade. You're searching for a plan to cover the time in between
It might not be the best option for you if:
- You can't afford to buy the phone you want outright
- You want to take advantage of bonuses offered by telcos for buying a new handset
Cheap SIM-only plans in Australia
It's not uncommon to pay up to and over $100 per month for a phone on a plan these days. You can save a lot of money by using your own phone (instead of buying the latest iPhone) and then pair it with a cheap SIM-only mobile plan.
The cheapest SIM-only plans available in Australia start from as little as $5 but those plans typically come with very short expiry periods of less than a week and less than 5GB of data. Cheap SIM-only plans start to get better around the $10 mark but you get the most value on plans starting $20 per month.
A cheap SIM-only plan that's still usable for most people should include at least 12GB. But you can get by on less.
See the five cheapest SIM-only plans with at least 28-day expiry from our database of 17 providers:
Expert tip: Getting the most value out of your SIM-only plan
Often, it can be difficult to choose between different SIM-only plans if they look to have similar inclusions. Price alone can often be misleading. A better way to judge two plans is by performing a simple dollar per GB value calculation, like so:
[Total monthly cost] / [Montly data allowance] = [Value per GB].
For example, $20/month for 30GB works out to cost around $0.66 per GB. We tend to find you're getting the best value for money when you're getting 1GB for at least $1 or less.
Dylan Crismale, Digital Content Editor
Award-winning SIM-only plans in Australia
Each year the WhistleOut Awards recognise telcos across a wide array of categories. You can see some of the most recent award winners below.
No contract SIM-only plans
These days, nearly every SIM-only plan on the Australian market is offered contract-free. This is great news because no-contract plans are the best way to save money on your mobile plan. Plus you'll have the flexibility to switch to a new and better plan whenever you like.
When comparing SIM card plans, consider choosing from the many challenger brands available in the market. Save money by choosing alternatives like Boost Mobile, Moose Mobile, or amaysim instead of well-known telcos.
If you do want a mobile plan from a well-known company, you can choose one from Telstra, Vodafone, or Optus. They also have plans without contracts.
See the top five cheapest contract-free plans with at least 5GB of data taken from our database of 17 providers here:
Hot tip: Switch between SIM-only plans every six months
Loyalty doesn't pay. The cheapest SIM-only plans today may not be the cheapest plans tomorrow. A lot of mobile plans are offered with deals that expire after six months. After that time, you may receive less data or have to pay more for your plan. Luckily, because these plans are no contract you can always find a new plan when that happens. There are always fresh deals on the market to choose from.
Just make sure to mark the date your plan price increases in your calendar so you remember to switch.
SIM-only plans FAQs
What is a SIM card?
A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is a small removable card that stores data needed to identify a subscriber on a mobile network. You can remove your SIM from your current phone and insert it into any other compatible device, provided it's not "locked" to a network. Since 2018 there's also been the option of an electronic SIM or eSIM.
How do you switch SIM-only plans?
Switching to a new mobile plan is as simple as finding one you like and signing up. As part of the process, you can even decide if you want to "port" your number so you can keep your existing phone number. Transferring your number can take as little as 10 mins and up to a couple of hours depending on the telco. Your new telco will have information about the times and days it processes transfers.
If you've ported as soon as your new plan is activated you're good to go. If you've got a new number you'll need to remember to cancel your old plan as it won't be done automatically.
Does my phone need to be unlocked to get a new mobile plan?
Yes, if you're moving to a new carrier your phone will need to be unlocked. However, the good news is phones are rarely locked to by carriers these days.
Can I keep my mobile number when I switch mobile plans?
Yes, during the switching process, you have the chance to port your number to your new mobile plan provider. When you cancel a service without transferring, your number is quarantined for six months. During this time you are able to be reconnected back to that number.
Can I choose my mobile number when signing up for a SIM-only mobile plan?
Yes, a handful of telcos let you choose your mobile number for a fee. This includes Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and amaysim.
Can I get a 5G SIM-only mobile plan in Australia?
Yes, with the 5G rollout in Australia well underway several Aussie telcos now offer 5G SIM-only plans.
What is the cheapest SIM-only mobile plan?
At the time of writing amaysim's Unlimited 10GB is the cheapest in WhistleOut's database with a cost of $10 per renewal. That gets you 10GB of data with unlimited national calls and texts. So what's the catch? Well, this plan has a seven-day expiry. This means in a typical month you'd need to spend at least $40 dollars anyway to keep your plan active. This makes it more suited for visitors to Australia then as an ongoing monthly mobile plan.
