Tangerine Telecom mobile plans review

Tangerine Telecom is one of Australia's fastest-growing mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), using Telstra's wholesale network to provide an affordable alternative to major carriers like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

If you're after a simple SIM-only mobile plan, Tangerine's a great choice, offering just six postpaid plans that are all about value. Many plans offer attractive bonuses, such as data banking of up to 1000GB, unlimited international calls and texts to specified countries, and reduced rates when bundled with Tangerine NBN.

Tangerine's plans offer significantly more data than comparably priced Telstra plans. However, unlike Telstra's uncapped speeds, Tangerine's plans have speed caps ranging from 100-250Mbps. Thankfully, all Tangerine plans outside of its entry-level option include 5G access.

In terms of customer support, Tangerine has a fairly decent reputation, earning more positive online user reviews than many of its rivals. That said, the telco's support team is based overseas, which can result in frustration due to long wait times and unresolved issues.

Still, if you're after the reliability of Telstra's network without paying Telstra prices, and you have a preference for postpaid plans, Tangerine is a great, cost-effective option.

Tangerine Telecom mobile plans and pricing

• Affordably priced plans
• Decent data allowances

Refreshingly, Tangerine's six postpaid plans all feature transparent pricing that, unlike many smaller Australian telcos, does not increase after an initial six-month period. So, while other telcos may advertise cheaper plans at the outset, they don't always represent great value once that introductory period is over.

Firstly, you should completely avoid Tangerine's entry-level 12GB plan, which frankly sucks from a value standpoint at AU$23p/m. Apart from being the only Tangerine mobile plan limited to 4G network access, its download speeds are capped to just 100Mbps, and its rollover databank maxes out at 500GB — half of what every other plan offers. On top of these drawbacks, it's the only Tangerine mobile plan which doesn't offer unlimited international calls and texts to 15 specified countries.

By comparison, the 25GB plan is only slightly more expensive (AU$29p/m) and offers over twice the monthly data (working out to AU$1.16 per GB), double the databank (1000GB), 5G network access, shared number functionality (more on that later) and the aforementioned international inclusions. That's an awful lot to sacrifice for the equivalent cost of one cappuccino per month.

As the monthly data allowance of each plan increases, so does its cost-effectiveness, with Tangerine's top-tier 150GB plan offering the best value at AU$58 per month, equating to AU$0.39 per GB. Not only does this plan provide amazing value for money, but it also boasts the fastest download speeds of any Tangerine mobile plan, reaching up to 250Mbps.

Tangerine Telecom mobile coverage

• Access to Telstra's wholesale network
• Coverage is better in metropolitan areas

Thanks to its access to Telstra's network, Tangerine boasts a broader coverage footprint than many comparably priced rivals using Optus or Vodafone networks, reaching around 98.8% of the Australian population.

Of course, Tangerine operates on Telstra's wholesale network, not it's full network. That means Aussies can expect Tangerine's coverage to match Telstra's service in metropolitan areas but will likely encounter weaker mobile signals throughout Australia's more rural regions.

If, however, you still want the 99.6% coverage promised by Telstra's full network, Boost Mobile is the only reseller offering complete access. Just know that Boost's plans are strictly prepaid-only.

Tangerine Telecom mobile plans: extras, perks and offers

• Databank offers up to 1000GB of rollover data
• 10% discount when bundled with Tangerine NBN

Tangerine's mobile plans provide a range of additional perks, starting with the ability to bank up to 1000GB of unused data on all but its entry-level postpaid offering. That's great value when you consider that many other providers just let that unused data go to waste, even though you've technically paid for it.

Those same plans also provide unlimited calls and texts to 15 select countries, including Bangladesh, Canada, China, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, UK and USA. You can add more countries with international calling add-on packs, which are priced at AU$5 and offer between 60 and 300 minutes of talk time based on the pack you choose.

Those who smartly avoid Tangerine's entry-level 12GB plan will also get Shared Number functionality, which essentially shares your mobile plan's data and call inclusions with a compatible LTE-enabled smartwatch, allowing it to receive calls and use data without the need for your phone to be nearby. Honestly, we don't know why this isn't a standard offering on every phone plan.

On top of all of this, Tangerine also offers a 10% discount on your phone bill when you bundle your mobile plan with one of its NBN plans. Sure, that really only saves you a few bucks per month, but every dollar counts these days.

Tangerine Telecom mobile plans: customer service and community reviews

• Better than average customer reviews
• Offshore call centres

Although Tangerine does have some local customer service representatives, the company's support team is primarily based in Manila, Philippines.

Online reviews suggest that Tangerine's customer service is typically polite and often helpful, however, some customers have complained of long wait times, unresolved issues and the feeling that you're getting scripted, generic responses from its help team.

In terms of online user feedback, Tangerine holds an impressive score of 4.2 on Product Review, but falls short with a less than stellar rating of 2.0 on Trustpilot. Admittedly, there's quite a gulf between those two scores, but if you average them out, they're still leagues ahead of major telcos like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

Tangerine Telecom mobile plans: bottom line

If you're after an affordable, data-packed mobile plan on Telstra's reliable network, Tangerine Telecom has plenty to offer. The plans include practical perks like data banking and international calls. However, the capped download speeds and offshore support might not suit everyone. Even so, Tangerine stands out with competitive pricing and a solid customer reputation, making it an easy choice to recommend.

• Best Telstra network mobile plans from resellers