After Vodafone drastically increased its network in Australia, the competition between the big three telcos is arguably tighter than it’s ever been. Even though the rankings might remain the same, it’s still worth looking at who offers the country’s best mobile phone network coverage.
A lot has happened in recent years; Telstra partnered with Starlink in a bid to reach more regional Australians, while Optus also has SpaceX plans to cover the country. A recently activated partnership between Optus and TPG Telecom also paved the way for Vodafone’s expansion.
With all of that considered, which telco offers the best network coverage for making calls and browsing the internet on your phone? On the surface, it’s a relatively straightforward answer, but another big factor is whether you go directly with one of the major telcos or a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). An MVNO sells plans using another company’s network infrastructure, often at a cheaper price.
Best phone network coverage in Australia
In terms of network coverage, telcos typically refer to the percentage of Australians reached. This makes sense, considering that despite Australia’s sizable land mass, most of the population resides in coastal areas.
By that metric alone, Telstra is the clear winner, reaching 99.7% of the Australian population. Optus follows closely behind at 98.5%, then Vodafone at 98.4% (previously 96% before the expansion).
| Telco | Overall network coverage | 5G network coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra | 99.7% | 89% |
| Telstra wholesale | 98.8% | 75% |
| Optus | 98.5% | 80.5% |
| Vodafone | 98.4% | Not advertised |
Things change a bit when you look at the 5G network figures. Telstra’s 2024 annual report advertised an 89% population coverage, while Optus reported 80.5% in March 2024; its coverage is likely broader now.
Vodafone, on the other hand, doesn’t publicly advertise its 5G coverage as a percentage. TPG Telecom, Vodafone’s parent company, mentions “over 85% 5G population coverage in (the) 10 largest cities and regions,” although this doesn’t account for Australia as a whole.
Telstra also provides MVNOs access to its wholesale network, which isn’t as far-reaching as the telco’s full network. Boost Mobile, which Telstra acquired in December 2024, is the only MVNO to have full network access. This means other MVNOs, like Tangerine and Exetel, have smaller coverage.
All that truly matters, however, is whether your location has coverage. Every telco has an interactive online map you can check to find out if you can get service. Here are the network coverage maps from the big three:
So, that leaves the question: who has the best phone network coverage in Australia? In terms of total population reached, Telstra beats all comers. However, it’s more important that you check whether a telco provides the network you need, where you need it.
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