Optus Monitoring

Among the major Australian mobile carriers, Telstra and Aussie Broadband are most often rated highest for customer service, but in slightly different ways. **1. Telstra (major network operator)** - **Pros:** - Largest network and customer base; strong focus on support infrastructure. - Multiple support channels: phone, live chat, in‑store, app. - Business and enterprise customers often rate its dedicated support relatively well. - **Cons:** - Mixed reviews from everyday consumers; support can feel slow or bureaucratic. - Generally the most expensive. **2. Optus & Vodafone (TPG Telecom)** - **Optus:** Reasonable support options, but reputation has taken a hit in recent years (including from high‑profile data breach and outage issues). - **Vodafone (TPG brands including iiNet, Internode, felix mobile):** Historically had weaker reputation for customer service, though it’s improved; still more variable than Telstra. **3. Smaller / MVNO providers with strong service reputations** These use the big three’s networks but provide their own billing and support: - **Aussie Broadband (on Optus / Telstra for mobile, own fixed network):** - Often ranked at or near the top of ACCC and user‑review surveys for *overall* customer support (mainly known for NBN, but mobile support is handled by the same teams). - Australian‑based call centres, short wait times, and technically competent staff are common themes in reviews. - **Boost Mobile (on Telstra network):** - Good for prepaid on the Telstra network with simpler plans. - Customer service is generally rated better than other low‑cost brands, but not at Aussie Broadband’s level. - **Belong (Telstra-owned budget brand) & others (Amaysim, Gomo, felix, Kogan, etc.):** - Service quality is mixed—some people have smooth, no‑contact experiences; others report difficulty reaching human support. **If you prioritise customer service above all else:** - **Aussie Broadband** is frequently the standout for responsiveness and technical competence, especially if you value Australian‑based, phone‑accessible support. - If you must be with a major network operator directly, **Telstra** generally fares better than Optus or Vodafone for service quality, albeit at a higher price. If you tell me your priorities (price vs service vs coverage, prepaid/postpaid), I can narrow this down to a specific recommendation.

No single carrier is “best” for everyone, but based on recent industry surveys and consumer-advocacy data up to late 2024, these patterns are consistent: **1. Telstra** - **Strengths:** - Widest network coverage (especially regional/remote). - Business and enterprise support is generally strong. - **Customer service:** - Mixed. Many users report long wait times and “big-company” bureaucracy. - Often scores well for network reliability but more average for service experience. **2. Optus** - **Strengths:** - Competitive pricing and bundles. - **Customer service:** - Has had significant reputation issues after the 2022 data breach. - Service ratings have been volatile, with many complaints during and after that period. **3. Vodafone (now TPG Telecom)** - **Strengths:** - Often good value and flexible plans. - **Customer service:** - Historically improved from earlier “Vodafail” days, but still typically rates as “okay” rather than standout in most surveys. **4. Smaller / MVNO providers (often best-rated for service)** These use the big three’s networks but run their own billing, apps and support. In recent CHOICE surveys, ProductReview scores, and user forums, the following often rate highest for customer service: - **Aussie Broadband (mobile & NBN)** – Frequently near the top for Australian-based support, short wait times, and problem resolution. - **Belong (Telstra-owned MVNO)** – Simple plans; support via app and online, often rated better than Telstra retail for ease of dealing with them. - **Amaysim (on Optus network)** – Often praised for straightforward service, easy SIM activation and decent support. - **Boost Mobile (on full Telstra network)** – Popular for coverage + value; service is generally rated positively though mostly online-based. - **Tangerine / Mate / iiNet / Internode (where available)** – Mixed but many customers report better service experiences than with the big three. **If your priority is customer service specifically:** - You’re usually better off with a **reputable smaller provider/MVNO** than with Telstra/Optus/Vodafone retail. - Among those, **Aussie Broadband** and **Amaysim** are regularly cited as standouts for human, responsive support; **Boost** and **Belong** for “set and forget” simplicity. **How to choose for your situation** Ask yourself: 1. **Do you need top regional coverage?** - Yes → Look at **Boost**, **Belong**, or **Telstra** (in that order for service vs price). 2. **Metro/suburban and value + service?** - Look at **Aussie Broadband**, **Amaysim**, **Boost**, **Belong**. 3. **Prefer phone-based, Australian-based support?** - **Aussie Broadband** is often the most consistently praised. If you tell me: - Your city/region, - How much data you use per month, - Whether you care more about phone support vs online chat, I can narrow it to 1–3 specific carriers and plan types that best balance service quality with coverage and price for you.

Among the major Australian mobile carriers, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone (TPG) all have mixed reviews, but independent surveys and customer feedback patterns point to this rough picture: - **Telstra** - Often rated **best overall for customer support and network reliability**, especially in regional and rural areas. - Pros: Australian-based support options (for some plans), strong in‑store presence, generally better problem resolution for complex issues. - Cons: Typically the **most expensive**; call wait times can still be long, and not all interactions are smooth. - **Vodafone (TPG)** - Frequently scores **better than Optus** on customer satisfaction in consumer surveys. - Pros: Usually more responsive on **online chat and social media**, relatively customer‑friendly on billing disputes. - Cons: Smaller network footprint than Telstra; service experience can vary by channel and location. - **Optus** - Has had **notable customer service and security reputation issues** in recent years (including the 2022 data breach and follow-on complaints handling). - Pros: Good value plans, some helpful in‑store support. - Cons: Customer service scores in many surveys have trailed Telstra and Vodafone. - **Smaller / MVNO providers (e.g., Aussie Broadband Mobile, Belong, Amaysim, Boost)** - Some of these, particularly **Aussie Broadband** and **Amaysim**, often receive **very strong customer service reviews**, sometimes exceeding the big three. - If you’re open to non‑“big three” brands, an MVNO that uses the **Telstra or Optus network** can give you good coverage plus more personal support. **Practical recommendation:** - If you want a major carrier with the best odds of good service: **Telstra**. - If you care about value and decent support from a big brand: **Vodafone** is often the next best. - If top-notch service is more important than a “big name”: consider **Aussie Broadband Mobile, Amaysim, or Boost** (Telstra network via Boost). If you tell me your city/region, budget, and whether you prefer in‑store, phone, or online support, I can narrow this down to one or two specific providers and plans.

Based on recent independent surveys and complaint data up to early 2026, **no single carrier is “best” for everyone**, but a few stand out for customer service in different segments: ### Overall standouts for customer service 1. **Amaysim – strongest pure “customer service” scores** - In Finder’s 2025 Mobile Customer Satisfaction Awards, Amaysim won the **Customer Service (“Legendary Service”) Award** with the highest customer service score (4.19/5), for the second year running. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/customer-satisfaction-awards/mobile-providers-satisfaction?utm_source=openai)) - Also rated as one of the most‑recommended providers (94% of customers would recommend). ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/customer-satisfaction-awards/mobile-providers-satisfaction?utm_source=openai)) - Uses the Optus network, so coverage = Optus coverage. 2. **ALDI Mobile – very high satisfaction and trust** - Canstar Blue’s 2025 awards: - **Most Satisfied Customers (Prepaid)** and **Most Trusted Mobile Plan Provider**. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/news/top-rated-telcos-revealed-july-2025/?utm_source=openai)) - Finder’s 2025 awards: **Most Loved Mobile Provider overall**, with excellent scores across value, reliability and customer service, plus the highest recommendation rate (95%). ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/customer-satisfaction-awards/mobile-providers-satisfaction?utm_source=openai)) - Runs on the Telstra wholesale network (good coverage, but not identical to full Telstra). 3. **Vodafone – good service for phone‑on‑a‑plan and small business** - Canstar Blue 2025: **Most Satisfied Customers – Phone on a Plan** (back‑to‑back wins) with 5‑star ratings in most categories including overall satisfaction. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/category/phone/mobile-phone-providers-plans/?utm_source=openai)) - Finder 2025 Small Business awards: **Most Loved Small Business Mobile Provider** and winner of the **Legendary Service (customer service) Award** for small business. ([finder.com.au](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-awards/customer-satisfaction-awards/small-business-mobile-provider-satisfaction?utm_source=openai)) ### Big 3 networks & complaints - **Telstra, Optus, TPG/Vodafone** rank **poorly on complaints per 10,000 services** compared with many smaller providers, according to ACMA’s late‑2024 complaint‑handling rankings (Telstra 20th, Optus 28th, TPG 33rd out of 34 by complaint volume). ([acma.gov.au](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2025-04/mixed-results-latest-telco-customer-complaint-performance-rankings?utm_source=openai)) - Optus in particular has significant recent trust and conduct issues (major outages, emergency‑call failure, a large data breach, and a 2025 Federal Court finding of unconscionable conduct leading to a AU$100m fine). ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/optus-mobile-plans-review?utm_source=openai)) ### So, who “offers the best customer service”? If your priority is customer service as rated by real customers (not just network size): - **Top picks for most people (SIM‑only / personal use)** - **Amaysim** – best independent “customer service” scores. - **ALDI Mobile** – excellent overall satisfaction, trust and recommendation; customer service scores just behind Amaysim. - **If you want a phone on a plan with a handset (postpaid)** - **Vodafone** is the current standout for customer satisfaction and small‑business service quality. ### How to choose between them Ask yourself: 1. **Coverage:** - Regional/remote? You may prefer a Telstra‑network reseller like **ALDI Mobile** for better regional coverage. - Metro/suburban? **Amaysim** (Optus network) and **Vodafone** are usually fine. 2. **What kind of plan?** - **Prepaid or cheap SIM‑only:** Start with **ALDI Mobile** or **Amaysim**. - **Bundled phone repayments or small‑business plans:** Look at **Vodafone**. 3. **Support style:** - If you care about **low complaint rates** and good experience dealing with issues, smaller/virtual providers (ALDI Mobile, Amaysim, Moose Mobile, etc.) tend to outrank the big three in recent surveys and ACMA complaint data. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/news/top-rated-telcos-revealed-july-2025/?utm_source=openai)) If you tell me whether you’re metro/regional and whether you want prepaid, SIM‑only, or a phone‑on‑a‑plan, I can narrow this down to one or two best‑fit options for you specifically.

Short answer: based on the latest independent surveys and complaint data, **ALDI Mobile currently stands out as the mobile carrier with the best overall customer service experience in Australia**, with Moose Mobile also rating very strongly among SIM‑only/postpaid users. The big three (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) tend to lag smaller providers on satisfaction, even though Telstra leads on coverage. Here’s the evidence, simplified: 1. **WhistleOut Customer Satisfaction Awards 2025** WhistleOut introduced customer satisfaction categories based on a survey of 1,000+ Australians about coverage, customer service and price. In the mobile categories: - **ALDI Mobile** won: - *Most Satisfied Customers – Mobile* - *Customer Satisfaction – Network Coverage* - *Customer Satisfaction – Customer Service* - *Customer Satisfaction – Price* ([whistleout.com.au](https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/WhistleOut-Awards-2025?utm_source=openai)) That combination (including a specific win for *Customer Service*) is the clearest current indicator that ALDI Mobile is leading on service from a user-experience point of view. 2. **Canstar Blue 2025 Mobile Awards** Canstar Blue surveys 8,500+ Australians on overall satisfaction, value and service: ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/news/top-rated-telcos-revealed-july-2025/?utm_source=openai)) - **ALDI Mobile**: - Won **Most Satisfied Customers – Prepaid Mobile SIM Only**. - Also named **Most Trusted Mobile Plan Provider** in 2025. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/news/top-rated-telcos-revealed-july-2025/?utm_source=openai)) - **Moose Mobile**: - Won **Most Satisfied Customers – Postpaid SIM‑only**, with **five stars including customer service**. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/phone/?utm_source=openai)) These results say: if you’re on prepaid, ALDI Mobile is best-in-class; for postpaid SIM‑only, Moose is about as good as it gets for support and satisfaction. 3. **Complaint rates (ACMA, July–Sept 2025)** The ACMA’s complaints report ranks 37 major telcos by complaints per 10,000 services: ([acma.gov.au](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2025-12/telco-complaints-data-reveals-varied-consumer-issues?utm_source=openai)) - **Vodafone** was worst (37th – *most* complaints per 10,000 services). - Among the big three: - Telstra: 18th - Optus: 33rd - TPG Internet: 34th While this doesn’t break out all smaller MVNOs individually, it shows the large networks themselves aren’t leading on customer experience; they generate comparatively more complaints than many smaller providers. 4. **How the big three stack up on service (recent reviews)** Recent independent reviews highlight: - **Telstra** – best coverage/reliability; customer service has improved with more Australia-based staff, but prices are high and satisfaction ratings remain only average. ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/telstra-mobile-plans-review?utm_source=openai)) - **Optus** – decent value and coverage but significant trust and service issues after a major data breach (2022), nationwide outage (2023) and another outage affecting 000 calls in 2025; all of that has hit customer confidence. ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/optus-mobile-plans-review?utm_source=openai)) - **Vodafone** – good value and improving coverage; Australian-based support and retail presence help, but online reviews are mixed and ACMA data shows relatively high complaint rates. ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/vodafone-mobile-plans-review-au?utm_source=openai)) On balance, you generally get **better day‑to‑day service and satisfaction from the top‑rated smaller providers (ALDI Mobile, Moose Mobile)** than from the big network brands, unless you specifically need maximum coverage or a phone-on-a-plan bundle. --- ### Practical recommendation - If your priority is **customer service + price, and you’re OK with a prepaid model**: - **ALDI Mobile** is the strongest all‑rounder right now, repeatedly rated highest for customer service and satisfaction in 2025 surveys. - If you want **SIM‑only postpaid with strong support**: - **Moose Mobile** is a top pick for service and satisfaction according to Canstar Blue. ([canstarblue.com.au](https://www.canstarblue.com.au/phone/?utm_source=openai)) - If you **absolutely need the best coverage (remote/regional)** and can tolerate average service and higher prices: - **Telstra** is still the safest coverage choice, but not the leader on customer service metrics. If you tell me your city/region, whether you want prepaid or postpaid, and if you need a phone included, I can narrow this down to a more specific “best option for you.”

“Most flexible” can mean a few different things (no contracts, easy plan changes, data sharing, roaming, eSIM, etc.). In Australia, these are generally regarded as the most flexible options: ### 1. Telstra MVNOs (e.g., Boost Mobile) - **Why flexible** - Prepaid, no lock‑in contracts. - Uses the **full Telstra network** (Boost specifically), best rural coverage. - Easy to change recharge amount each month. - Often include data rollover and hotspot. - **Best for**: Maximum coverage + flexibility without full Telstra pricing. ### 2. Amaysim (Optus network) - **Why flexible** - Month‑to‑month, no lock‑in. - Very easy online management, instant plan changes. - eSIM support on many devices. - Often includes unlimited data banking on some plans. - **Best for**: Simple, app‑managed plans and frequent plan changes on Optus coverage. ### 3. Circles.Life (Optus network) - **Why flexible** - Month‑to‑month SIM‑only, no contracts. - Frequently run promo deals with easy upgrades/downgrades. - Good online self‑service and eSIM. - **Best for**: Price flexibility and switching between promo plans. ### 4. Telstra, Optus, Vodafone main brands - **Why flexible** - All now offer **month‑to‑month “postpaid”** with no long contracts on most SIM‑only plans. - You can usually change plan tier each month via app. - eSIM and international roaming add‑ons. - **Downside**: Less flexible on price (more expensive), but flexible in features and add‑ons. --- If you say what kind of flexibility matters most to you (e.g., best coverage vs. cheapest vs. lots of roaming vs. short stays), I can narrow it to one or two specific providers and even suggest exact plans.

“Most flexible” can mean a few things: no lock‑in, easy plan changes, generous roaming, or pay‑as‑you‑go style. In Australia, the providers people usually rate as most flexible are: **1. Amaysim (on Optus network)** - Month‑to‑month SIM‑only, no contracts. - Change plans up or down every renewal with no penalty. - Data banking and data sharing on some offers. - eSIM support and very simple online management. Good if you want to tweak your spend often. **2. Belong (on Telstra network)** - Month‑to‑month, no lock‑in. - Large **data banking** (unused data rolls over indefinitely). - Easy online plan changes and pausing. Good for Telstra coverage with flexible data use over time. **3. Boost Mobile (on full Telstra network)** - Prepaid, no contracts. - Full Telstra coverage (including many rural areas). - Frequent short‑term and long‑expiry options, easy to swap between. Best if “flexibility” means moving in and out or varying expiry lengths. **4. Kogan Mobile (on Vodafone network)** - Often has cheap long‑expiry plans (90/365 days) plus monthly options. - Easy online purchase and activation, can swap plans at renewal. Good if you want low cost and don’t mind Vodafone’s coverage footprint. **5. Telstra / Optus / Vodafone main brands** - All now have month‑to‑month postpaid SIM‑only options. - You can usually change plan tiers each month. - Less flexible on roaming inclusions vs. some smaller brands, and more expensive, but solid if you want direct support and add‑ons. If you tell me what *you* mean by flexible (e.g., “I travel a lot”, “I change data needs month‑to‑month”, “I need rural coverage”, “I want eSIM only”), I can narrow this down to one or two best fits and recommend specific plans.

In Australia, “most flexible” usually comes down to: - No lock-in contracts - Easy plan changes (up/down any time) - Good prepaid/“pay as you go” options - BYO phone, eSIM support, and good roaming/add‑on options As of 2024, these are generally considered the most flexible: ### 1. **Boost Mobile (on Telstra network)** - **Why it’s flexible**: - Prepaid, no contracts. - You can change recharge amount/duration each cycle. - Uses the **Telstra network** (including 5G on many plans), which has the best coverage overall, especially regional. - **Good for**: People wanting Telstra‑level coverage without Telstra pricing or contracts. ### 2. **Amaysim (on Optus network)** - **Why it’s flexible**: - No lock-in; change or cancel any time. - Simple app for switching plans, data top‑ups, and roaming packs. - eSIM available, lots of short‑term and long‑expiry options. - **Good for**: Users who like to tweak plans month to month and want strong data/international options. ### 3. **Circles.Life (on Optus network)** - **Why it’s flexible**: - Month‑to‑month only, no contracts. - Often has promotional data and lets you modify plans fairly freely. - **Good for**: Heavy data users who want month‑to‑month freedom and don’t need Telstra coverage. ### 4. **TPG / iiNet / Internode (on Vodafone network)** - **Why it’s flexible**: - SIM‑only, no long contracts; easy to switch or cancel. - Decent value, especially for bundled services if you also use them for NBN. - **Good for**: Budget‑conscious users in metro areas fine with Vodafone coverage. ### 5. **Telstra / Optus / Vodafone direct** - Postpaid plans are now mostly **month‑to‑month**, not 12/24‑month contracts. - You can change plans up or down each month, but: - Prices are higher. - They’re less “flexible” in a budget sense than the MVNOs (Boost, Amaysim, etc.). --- If you clarify what *kind* of flexibility you care about most (coverage vs. price vs. roaming vs. truly pay‑as‑you‑go), I can narrow this down to a single best-fit provider and suggest specific plans.

“Most flexible” can mean a few different things (no lock‑in, easy to change plans, lots of plan types, wide network access). In Australia, there isn’t one single winner for everyone, but: - **For overall flexibility on a major network:** **Telstra, Optus and Vodafone** all now offer **no lock‑in, month‑to‑month plans**, and you can usually change your plan each month without penalties. Telstra explicitly markets “no lock‑in” and “build‑your‑own” style mobile plans where you can change plan once a month and only need to pay out your handset if you leave early. ([telstra.com.au](https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra_says_goodbye_to_lock-in_plans_introduces_new_build-your-own_mobile_plans?utm_source=openai)) - **For maximum freedom to churn / experiment:** Many **MVNOs (resellers)** are extremely flexible because they’re: - SIM‑only - Month‑to‑month or 28–30‑day prepaid - Easy to cancel or port away Examples that consistently show up in comparison sites as popular and no‑contract include: - **TPG, iiNet, SpinTel, Dodo, Tangerine, Kogan, Amaysim, Felix, OnePass Mobile**, etc., all running on Telstra/Optus/Vodafone networks with no lock‑in and frequent discounts. ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/sim-only-mobile-plans-au?utm_source=openai)) Because there are so many providers, a better way to think about “most flexible” is: 1. **No contract / no lock‑in** (month‑to‑month or prepaid). 2. **Easy to change plans up or down** without fees. 3. **Runs on a network that works where you live/work** (Telstra > Optus > Vodafone for regional coverage, roughly). 4. **Option to BYO phone** so you’re never locked in by handset repayments. If you tell me: - Your typical monthly data use - Whether you need Telstra/Optus/Vodafone coverage - If international calls/roaming matter - Budget per month I can narrow this down to 2–3 specific providers/plans that will be the *most* flexible for your situation right now (Feb 2026).

There isn’t a single “most flexible” provider for everyone in Australia, but a few stand out specifically for flexibility (no lock‑in, easy plan changes, data banking, subscriptions rather than contracts). Which one is “best” depends on what *you* mean by flexible. Here’s how it breaks down in early 2026: ## 1. Big 3 carriers focused on flexibility ### Telstra - All in‑market mobile plans are month‑to‑month, no lock‑in. ([telstra.com.au](https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra_says_goodbye_to_lock-in_plans_introduces_new_build-your-own_mobile_plans?utm_source=openai)) - You can change your plan size once per month or cancel any time; if you have a handset repayment, you just pay out the device. ([telstra.com.au](https://www.telstra.com.au/deals/plans-change?utm_source=openai)) - No excess data charges in Australia; speeds are slowed instead of charging extra if you go over. ([telstra.com.au](https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/sim-only-plans?utm_source=openai)) **Good if:** you want maximum coverage plus the ability to change or walk away without a fixed‑term contract. Optus and Vodafone also generally do month‑to‑month SIM‑only now, but Telstra is the most explicit about “no lock‑in across all in‑market plans” and has the broadest coverage. ## 2. MVNOs that are extremely flexible These are often *more* flexible than the big three, because there’s: - no lock‑in contract, - simple online signup/cancellation, - and often data banking or unlimited throttled data. ### Felix Mobile - SIM‑only prepaid plans that auto‑renew on a monthly subscription, no lock‑in. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/mobile-phone/providers/?utm_source=openai)) - Offers options including unlimited data (speed‑capped), with no excess data fees. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/mobile-phone/providers/?utm_source=openai)) **Why it’s flexible:** easy in/out, simple plan lineup, can choose an unlimited (but speed‑limited) plan if you hate worrying about data. ### Exetel (single flexible plan) - One 5G SIM‑only plan on the Telstra wholesale network; no lock‑in. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/mobile-phone/providers/?utm_source=openai)) - Up to 1000GB data bank and no excess data charges (service just stops at your cap). ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/mobile-phone/providers/?utm_source=openai)) **Why it’s flexible:** generous rollover and a “one plan fits most” approach—very simple to manage or leave. ### Tangerine - SIM‑only, no lock‑in plans on the Telstra 5G wholesale network, currently with heavy promos (50% off for first months, double data, etc.). ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/network-carriers/tangerine-summer-sale-slashes-50-percent-off-its-best-sim-only-plans-for-the-first-4-months?utm_source=openai)) **Why it’s flexible:** month‑to‑month, strong value, easy to change or cancel; not as “all‑you‑can‑eat” as Felix but great if you want Telstra coverage without Telstra pricing. ### Budget/value MVNOs (very flexible + cheap) WhistleOut and Budget Life/Canstar highlight providers like TPG, Moose Mobile, SpinTel, Kogan, Amaysim etc.: - All are month‑to‑month or prepaid with no lock‑in contracts. ([budgetlifeaustralia.com](https://budgetlifeaustralia.com/best-mobile-plans-in-australia-under-20-no-lock-in-2025-guide/?utm_source=openai)) - Often have strong ongoing prices, easy cancellation, and features like data rollover (e.g., Amaysim, Coles Mobile). ([budgetlifeaustralia.com](https://budgetlifeaustralia.com/best-mobile-plans-in-australia-under-20-no-lock-in-2025-guide/?utm_source=openai)) **Why they’re flexible:** you can switch frequently to chase deals, since you’re never locked in. --- ## So who is “most flexible”? Depending on what you care about: - **“I just don’t want a contract, and I want to change/cancel whenever”** - Telstra, Optus, Vodafone SIM‑only plans (all month‑to‑month), plus essentially *all* major MVNOs (Felix, Exetel, Tangerine, Moose, SpinTel, TPG, Kogan, Amaysim, ALDI etc.) now fit this. ([telstra.com.au](https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra_says_goodbye_to_lock-in_plans_introduces_new_build-your-own_mobile_plans?utm_source=openai)) - **“I want subscription‑style simplicity, no excess fees, and easy in/out”** - Felix Mobile and Exetel are among the most flexible: no lock‑in, simple lineup, and no excess data charges. ([canstar.com.au](https://www.canstar.com.au/mobile-phone/providers/?utm_source=openai)) - **“I want maximum network coverage plus flexibility”** - Telstra (direct) or Telstra‑network MVNOs like Exetel, Boost, ALDImobile, Tangerine. ([tomsguide.com](https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-telstra-network-mobile-plans?utm_source=openai)) If you tell me what *you* mean by flexible (e.g. “pause service for a few months”, “data rollover”, “roaming flexibility”, “can downgrade anytime”), I can narrow it down to 1–2 providers suited to your usage and budget.