TPG Mobile Plans: 50% Off SIM-Only Deals Reviewed

If you’ve been watching mobile plan prices climb, TPG Mobile might catch your eye: new customers get 50% off for the first six months, and the company runs on Vodafone’s 4G and 5G network without the Vodafone price tag. For Australian budget users, that combination is worth a closer look. Below, we break down every plan tier, what’s included, and how TPG stacks up against the competition.

Plans Available: Small 25GB, Medium 50GB, Large 100GB ·
Introductory Discount: 50% off first 6 months ·
Starting Price: AU$12.50/month first 6 months ·
Network Partner: Vodafone 4G/5G ·
Data Allowance Max: 100GB standard

Which network does TPG use for mobile?

TPG is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO)—it doesn’t build its own towers. Instead, TPG resells capacity on Vodafone’s network, the same infrastructure that powers Vodafone-branded prepaid plans. That arrangement is the result of the Vodafone/TPG merger, approved by the Federal Court on 13 February 2020.

TPG’s network coverage map

TPG’s online coverage checker lets you enter a postcode and see predicted signal strength before you sign up. Vodafone’s network reaches 98.5% of Australia’s population with more than 3,400 active 5G sites, according to Finder’s coverage analysis. For comparison, Telstra leads with 99.6% coverage and 5,082 5G sites.

The picture improved notably in February 2025 when TPG struck a network-sharing deal with Optus. That agreement gave TPG access to more than 650 additional sites, with regional Australia seeing the biggest gains. TPG reports increased national coverage for regional areas as of early 2025.

Vodafone partnership details

Under the MVNO agreement, TPG uses the same spectrum and core network as Vodafone. The practical result: when you’re in Vodafone 5G coverage, a TPG SIM behaves identically to a Vodafone SIM. Speed caps differ by plan tier, but the underlying network is shared infrastructure.

What kind of mobile plans does TPG offer?

TPG offers three SIM-only prepaid plans, each with a headline 50% discount for the first six months. All include unlimited Australian calls, SMS, and MMS, plus 100 standard minutes to 31 international destinations.

TPG sets speed caps that vary by plan: the Small and Medium plans max out at 150Mbps, while the Large plan reaches 250Mbps. These caps apply to plans purchased after 2 August 2024, per TPG’s official page. All plans are prepaid with no lock-in contract—customers can cancel or swap plans monthly.

SIM-only plans details

SIM-only means you’re buying only the SIM card and service, no handset subsidy. That’s the key to TPG’s low pricing: the company doesn’t spread handset costs across your bill. Finder gave the Small Plan a score of 8.1 and the Large Plan a score of 8.6, citing the strong value per gigabyte during the promotional period.

Data allowances and pricing

The Small Plan at AU$12.50 per month for the first six months works out to AU$0.50 per gigabyte—that’s the entry point. The Medium Plan jumps to 50GB and adds 5G access for an extra AU$5 per month, as noted by TechRadar. The Large Plan at AU$22.50 per month delivers 100GB—the highest data allowance in TPG’s lineup.

Bundling with TPG internet adds a AU$5 monthly discount on mobile plans, per TechRadar. International SMS to numbers outside the 31 included destinations costs 50 cents per message, as listed on TPG’s site.

Plans with phone options

TPG’s current mobile lineup is SIM-only. If you need a handset bundled with your plan, you’d purchase the device separately—TPG doesn’t offer phone-included mobile contracts. Tom’s Guide’s review notes that this keeps monthly bills lower, though it shifts the upfront cost to the customer.

Does TPG offer international roaming?

Yes—international roaming is available on TPG plans, though the specifics depend on which destinations you need.

Roaming zones and rates

All TPG plans include 100 standard minutes to 31 international destinations as part of the base package. Beyond those included countries, roaming rates apply and vary by destination. TPG publishes dedicated support pages with current roaming rates, which is the most reliable way to check your specific country before you travel. The 100 included minutes cover major destinations like the UK, US, New Zealand, and Singapore, though the exact list should be verified on TPG’s roaming information page.

Activation process

Roaming is generally enabled by default on TPG plans, but activation steps may vary by destination. TPG’s support portal outlines the process: check your destination on the roaming support page, ensure roaming is active in your account settings, and be aware that using data or making calls while abroad will incur roaming charges beyond the included 100 minutes.

Are Vodafone and TPG the same?

No—but they’re closely related. TPG and Vodafone are separate brands operating under the same parent company following a 2020 merger.

Company relationship

The Vodafone/TPG merger received Federal Court approval on 13 February 2020, creating what is now called TPG Telecom. Iñaki Berroeta, then VHA Chief Executive Officer, called the outcome “a great outcome for the Australian economy” that would enable “greater investment in next generation networks including 5G.” The merger combined Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) with TPG Telecom, unifying the brands under one corporate umbrella while maintaining separate product lines and pricing strategies.

Network sharing

The practical impact of the merger is that TPG Mobile operates as an MVNO on Vodafone’s network infrastructure. Both brands share spectrum, tower sites, and core network equipment. The distinction is in the product: TPG positions itself as the budget-friendly alternative with lower prices and higher data allowances, while Vodafone offers its own plans with different perk structures. According to Tom’s Guide, TPG distinguishes itself through affordability rather than premium perks.

How do I contact TPG from overseas?

If you’re already traveling and need TPG support, several contact channels work from international locations.

Support numbers

TPG publishes international support contact details on its website. The general approach: dial the international support line from your destination, or use the app if you have data connectivity. For specific roaming assistance, TPG’s support pages list the relevant numbers and hours. The key is to check these details before you leave—once you’re overseas, international dialling codes and support availability can be harder to navigate.

App and portal login

The TPG app provides account management tools including data usage tracking, plan changes, and support access. Logging in from overseas works the same as from Australia, provided you have an active data connection—either through your TPG plan’s roaming data or by connecting to Wi-Fi. The portal also handles most common queries without requiring a phone call.

TechRadar (technology review publication) on TPG’s positioning: “For just AU$5 more per month, the Medium Plan from TPG adds 5G connectivity (where available).” This framing highlights TPG’s strategy of offering near-premium features at entry-level pricing.

Tom’s Guide (consumer technology review outlet) on the value comparison: “TPG has knocked AU$10 off per month for the first 6 months on its 50Mbps 5G home internet plan, resulting in simply stunning value.” The parallel with 5G home broadband underscores how aggressive TPG’s promotional pricing has become.

Iñaki Berroeta, then VHA Chief Executive Officer, on the merger outcome: “It was a great outcome for the Australian economy as it would allow for greater investment in next generation networks including 5G.” This statement from the merger announcement sets the context for why the combined TPG/Vodafone entity now operates the network TPG Mobile resells.

For Australian budget users, TPG Mobile’s discount window is the strongest argument—AU$12.50 per month for 25GB during the first six months is entry-level pricing that rivals struggle to match. After the promo period, the decision gets harder: standard prices land in the mid-range, and competing plans with similar data exist at comparable costs. The question is whether the Vodafone network’s coverage and the 5G access on Medium and Large plans justify staying versus switching to a competitor at renewal. If you’re on a tight monthly budget, the Large Plan’s 100GB at AU$22.50 first 6 months offers the best data-per-dollar ratio in TPG’s lineup. Just set a calendar reminder for month 5 to re-evaluate before standard rates kick in.

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TPG’s value-packed mobile plans on Vodafone’s network complement their NBN plans, offering unlimited data across speed tiers from NBN 12 to 1000.

Frequently asked questions