Are Internode's 4G mobile plans good value?

By Daniel James on Jul 16, 2013 1:47PM

How do Internode's new 4G phone plans stack up against other providers' no-contract, BYO-phone 4G plans?

Optus recently switched on its first 4G sites in Adelaide, and South Australia-based service provider Internode (now part of iiNet) has begun offering 4G service on its NodeMobile plans.

But how do they stack up against other providers' no-contract, BYO-phone 4G plans?

	Price	Standard Calls	Standard SMS	Data
Extra Small
Internode	$15	93*	800*	200MB
Telstra	N/A
Optus	$25	100	Unlimited	200MB
Virgin Mobile	$19	105*	892*	250MB

Small
Internode	$30	232	Unlimited	1.5GB
Telstra	N/A
Optus	$40	250	Unlimited	1GB
Virgin Mobile	$29	189*	1607*	1GB

Medium
Internode	$45	372	Unlimited	3GB
Telstra	$60	252	Unlimited	1GB
Optus	N/A
Virgin Mobile	$49	189	Unlimited	2GB

Large
Internode	$60	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB
Telstra	$80	336	Unlimited	1.5GB
Optus	N/A
Virgin Mobile	$49	294	Unlimited	3GB

*Assumes entire allowance spent on calls OR SMS, not both

[CORRECTION:

For the Internode $30 plan, the table originally incorrectly stated 2000* for Standard SMS. This has been corrected to Unlimited.

For the Internode $45 plan, the table originally incorrectly stated 3200 Standard SMS. This has been corrected to Unlimited.]

Please note that classification like ‘Extra Small' and "small" are our arbitrary classifications, not the service providers' terminology. Our objective was to present plans broadly comparable to Internode's. Plans shown may involve additional inclusions. Providers may offer other plans not shown here.

So the Internode plans - which are broadly similar, though not identical to parent company iiNet’s 4G SIM-only plans - look pretty good to us. The main drawback is that they are only available to Internode and iiNet broadband customers respectively.