Picking a new phone plan: a no-nonsense how-to

We break down the terms, and what they might mean for you

Deciding you’d like a new phone plan is the easy part. But picking one? Not so simple.

There are a whole lot of things to look out for in a plan, and some will be more important to you than others. So, we’ve broken down some key words, which questions to ask, and how to use that info to pick a plan that suits.

One extra nice thing before we start: your number is yours to keep. As long as you’re not locked into a plan at the moment, you can take your existing number with you.

Network and coverage

What are they?

In Australia, we have three mobile networks – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Every telco uses one of these networks. Coverage refers to how much of the population will get reception with that telco.

What we recommend

Check if the telco covers your area by googling its name, followed by ‘coverage map’. Then, find your location and see what sort of coverage they offer there.

At Belong, we use parts of the Telstra network, reaching 98.8% of Aussies.

Belong's coverage map

Data allowance

What is it?

Data lets you use the internet on your phone (when you’re not connected to wi-fi).

What we recommend

Check that the data allowance will cover the things you like to do when you’re on the go – we’ve added a very rough guide below.

Will my data allowance cover my usage?

Here’s what the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) says.

3GB should cover:

• emails

• web browsing

• social media

• chat

• some music streaming

• some online gaming

15GB should cover:

• emails

• web browsing

• social media

• chat

• music streaming

• online gaming

• YouTube videos

• some TV show/movie streaming

• some TV show/movie downloads

• some video game downloads

20GB+ should cover:

• emails

• web browsing

• social media

• chat

• music streaming

• online gaming

• YouTube videos

• streaming TV shows/movies

• downloading TV shows/movies

• downloading video games

At Belong, our month-to-month mobile plans start at 25GB. We also offer a 5GB plan for existing customers who want to downsize.

Prepaid and post-paid

What are they?

These are the two ways you can pay for your mobile service.

Prepaid means you pay for your service (usually a certain amount of data) in advance, then recharge as you need to.

Post-paid means your telco will send a bill instead, usually each month.

What we recommend

For prepaid plans, check when recharges expire to get a sense of how often you’ll need to buy them.

For post-paid plans, check if the billing style (usually direct debit or manual payments) suits you.

All Belong mobile plans are post-paid and we process payments via direct debit.

Data banking (or data rollover)

What is it?

If you have data to spare at the end of the month or before you recharge, data banking lets you store it for later. Some telcos offer data banking, while others have a ‘use it or lose it’ policy.

What we recommend

If you like the sound of saving your unused data for a rainy day (or train delay), look for ‘data banking’ (or data rollover) in the plan features.

All Belong mobile plans let you keep the data you don’t use as long as you pay on time (even if you switch to another one of our mobile plan). You can also gift data to other Belong customers if you’ve got extra to spare.

More about data banking and data gifting.

Download speeds

What is it?

This is how quickly you can download data using your mobile internet, and is sometimes capped at a certain speed.

What we recommend

Check if there’s a download speed cap on the plan (usually shown as XX Mbps). Keep in mind this is the highest it can go, rather than the typical speed.

A 150 Mbps speed cap is great for most people’s regular usage including streaming, browsing and social media.

Belong’s 4G and 5G download speed caps are all at least 150 Mpbs. Read more about speeds.

Standard calls and texts

What are they?

Calls and texts to standard numbers within Australia, which should cover your everyday stuff.

It doesn’t include numbers that charge a fee to use (known as premium numbers, which usually start with ‘19’).

What we recommend

Check if the plan offers unlimited national calls and texts, or if there’s a cap you need to keep in mind.

If you call or text premium numbers, see if the telco allows them.

Belong mobile plans offer unlimited calls and texts to standard national numbers. You can’t call or text premium numbers from a Belong service. Belong call and text inclusions.

Support

What is it?

This is how you can reach the telco if you ever need help – and not all telcos offer the same support services.

What we recommend

Make sure the telco has a support channel that suits you.

At Belong, we offer support via phone and live chat (8am-8pm, 7 days).

International roaming

What is it?

International roaming lets you use your service overseas. It’s usually a one-time add-on that you buy when you head off.

What we recommend

If you want to be able to use your service when you travel, check that the telco offers international roaming, how much it costs, what it includes, and which countries you can use it in.

See if Belong’s international roaming pack would suit your next trip.

Contract type

What is it?

Contracts are generally either month-to-month (where the price can change, but you can cancel or switch any time), or for a fixed period (where the price is generally locked in, but may charge fees if you leave early).

What we recommend

Check the contract type and make sure you’re happy with the conditions. Keep in mind that going month-to-month often lets you switch between plans too (good news if you realise you need more/less data, but want to stay with the same telco).

All Belong mobile plans are month-to-month.