99.5%
Population coverage
Telstra's 4G and 5G network reaches roughly 99.5% of Australians, the widest of any provider, with the strongest regional and rural footprint.
Provider overview
Provider overview
Telstra mobile: Australia's largest network
Telstra runs the largest mobile network in Australia, reaching about 99.5% of the population and the most extensive 5G footprint in the country. It is the premium choice for coverage and reliability, especially in regional and rural areas, but it rarely the cheapest. Here is everything you need to know about Telstra plans, phones, coverage and customer service before you decide.
99.5%
population coverage
#1
largest AU network
80%+
on 5G
Own
network (not an MVNO)
Everything Telstra
Explore Telstra mobile
Jump straight to what you need: network and coverage, plans and pricing, phones, add-ons, contact details and reviews.
Coverage
Telstra mobile network & coverage
Telstra owns and operates its own network rather than leasing it, which is why it leads on reach, regional coverage and 5G. If reliable signal outside the major cities matters to you, Telstra is usually the strongest option.
80%+
On 5G
Telstra has the most extensive 5G network in the country, already available to more than 80% of the population on a compatible device and plan.
Own
Network operator
Telstra is one of three network operators in Australia. Resellers such as Boost, Belong and Woolworths Mobile run on the Telstra network at lower prices.
Check before you sign up. Coverage still varies in remote areas, so always check the Telstra coverage map for your exact address. If you want Telstra coverage for less, compare its network resellers in our mobile providers guide.
The plans
Telstra mobile plans explained
Telstra keeps things to a few clear options, all with no lock-in contract: month-to-month Upfront SIM-only plans that scale with your data, plus flexible prepaid recharges for lighter users.
Upfront Basic
50 GB
$74/mo
- Telstra 5G included
- Unlimited talk & text
- No lock-in contract
Upfront Large
180 GB
$84/mo
- Telstra 5G included
- Data sharing on account
- No excess data charges
Upfront Extra Large
300 GB
$99/mo
- Telstra 5G included
- International talk inclusions
- No lock-in contract
Prepaid recharge
Flexible
from $30
- Continuous data rollover
- Long-expiry options
- Recharge in the app
Indicative plan pricing as of May 2026. Always check Telstra for current offers and inclusions.
Good to know. All Telstra mobile plans are no lock-in, so you can change or leave without an exit fee. Seniors and concession-card holders can get a $19 monthly discount on the entry Starter plan, and if you exceed your data, Telstra adds 1 GB blocks for $10 rather than charging excess usage rates. For live pricing, always check Telstra's current plan pages.
Add-ons
Add-ons, roaming & entertainment
Telstra layers extras on top of any plan, from one-off data packs to overseas roaming and rewards, all managed in the My Telstra app.
Data packs
Top up with one-off data packs when you run low, added instantly through the My Telstra app.
International Day Pass
Roaming is enabled by default on most plans: a daily fee covers calls, texts and a daily data allowance in eligible destinations.
Telstra Plus rewards
Earn points on your spend and redeem them on devices, accessories and prepaid recharge vouchers.
Get in touch
How to contact Telstra
Telstra now uses one main number for most needs, plus dedicated lines for interpreters, tech support, hardship and business. The fastest channel for most queries is 24/7 messaging in the My Telstra app.
| Reason | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General customer service | 13 22 00 | 7 days, 7am–11pm AEST |
| Multilingual / interpreter | 1800 241 600 | Free translation & interpreting |
| Platinum tech support | 13 75 87 | Mon–Fri 7am–11pm AEST |
| Financial hardship team | 1800 531 951 | Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm |
| Business customers | 13 29 99 | Small business & enterprise |
My Telstra app & account
Manage your account 24/7: view and pay bills, track usage, recharge prepaid, move home and message support. Live chat and in-app messaging are available around the clock.
Bills, payments & complaints
Pay online, by direct debit, by BPAY (biller code 23796) or in person at a Telstra store or Australia Post. Formal complaints go to Telstra Complaints, Locked Bag 20026, Melbourne VIC 3001, or call 13 22 00.
#1
for coverage
1.5/5
ProductReview
1.2/5
Trustpilot
Telstra reviews: is Telstra worth it?
Telstra reviews are sharply split. The network and speed are rated best in class, especially regionally, and in-store service earns warm reviews. But phone support drags the public scores down: customers report long hold times and slow complaint resolution. If you value coverage and reliability over price and call-centre speed, Telstra delivers.
"Popped into my local Telstra store with email issues and the staff went above and beyond, nothing was too much trouble." — Lorraine N.
Joining Telstra
How to sign up, activate & recharge
Getting started with Telstra is quick, whether you are activating a new prepaid SIM or moving your existing number across.
New customers & activation
Choose a plan online, then activate your SIM at prepaid.activate.telstra.com.au with your SIM serial number and ID. To keep your number, select "transfer existing number" and leave your old SIM in until the transfer completes, usually within a few hours.
Recharge & moving home
Recharge prepaid through the My Telstra app, online, by dialling #100#, with Telstra Plus points or via auto-recharge. Existing customers can move home with Telstra directly in the app or online account.
Common questions
A Selectra expert answers your most common Telstra questions
Telstra runs Australia's largest mobile network, reaching about 99.5% of the population with 4G and 5G. It also has the most extensive 5G footprint, available to more than 80% of Australians. Always check coverage for your exact address before signing up, as reception still varies in remote areas.
Telstra offers upfront (postpaid) SIM-only plans, standard prepaid, casual long-expiry prepaid, and mobile broadband data-only plans. All mobile plans are no lock-in contract, so you can change or leave without an exit fee.
Telstra plans cost more because they run on Telstra's own premium network rather than leasing capacity. You pay for the broadest coverage, the largest 5G footprint, unlimited capped-speed data on postpaid plans and data sharing. Resellers on the Telstra network can be cheaper but may not get the full network speed.
Yes. Telstra offers a $19 monthly discount on its entry Starter mobile plan for holders of a valid Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans' Affairs card.
Blue Tick phones are handsets Telstra has independently tested and certified for superior coverage in regional and rural areas. If you live or travel where reception is weak, a Blue Tick device gives you the best chance of a usable signal on the Telstra network.
Call 13 22 00 (7 days, 7am–11pm AEST) for general service, billing and complaints, or message 24/7 through the My Telstra app. Free multilingual support is on 1800 241 600, Platinum tech support on 13 75 87, and the financial hardship team on 1800 531 951.
Activate online at prepaid.activate.telstra.com.au using your SIM serial number and ID. Recharge through the My Telstra app, online, by dialling #100# on your Telstra device, by redeeming Telstra Plus points, or by setting up auto-recharge. Payments accept Visa, Mastercard and PayPal.
Reviews are mixed. Telstra scores low on sites like ProductReview and Trustpilot, with customers frustrated by phone wait times and slow complaint resolution. The same customers consistently praise its coverage, network speed and friendly in-store service. In short, it is rated highly for the network and lower for phone support.
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Independent comparison
Is Telstra the best value for how you use your phone?
Telstra has the best coverage in Australia, but you may not need to pay premium prices for it. Compare Telstra against its network resellers and the other major networks to find the plan that matches how you actually use your phone.