Vodafone appears to have shrugged off network issues, including a major outage in June, to be named Australia’s top phone plan and mobile internet provider.

Vodafone was named as the best provider of phones on a plan award for the third year running in comparison company Canstar’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customers Awards.

The TPG-owned telco was also named the best home wireless broadband provider, as well as the best mobile broadband company.

Discount supermarket-owned ALDIMobile earned its seventh consecutive win for prepaid plans, while Aussie Broadband was named best for SIM-only plans.

The awards were based on the feedback of more than 8000 Australians, with providers rated across a range of categories, including overall satisfaction, value for money and network availability.

When asked what they would willingly pay extra for from a telco provider, respondents across both mobile and internet categories overwhelmingly pointed to reliability.

The drivers of everyday customer satisfaction depended on the service.

For internet customers, reliability was the key driver of overall satisfaction, while for mobile customers, value for money was the dominant factor in keeping consumers happy with their provider.

“When it comes to home internet, reliability is king, and Australians are happy to pay a slight premium if it means their connection won’t drop out. However, in the mobile space, it’s a race to the bottom as value for money dominates,” Canstar’s Tara Donnelly said.

Source: Canstar

As well as the top providers, the Canstar survey revealed that while almost half (47 per cent) of mobile plan customers had experienced a hike to their phone plan in the last year, almost 90 per cent had done nothing about it.

The data also found that many mobile customers are continuing to pay for data they do not use.

“The ACCC tells us the average Aussie uses less than 15 gigabytes of mobile data a month, yet more than half of those we surveyed are paying for plans with more than 20 gigabytes,” Donnelly said.

Customers paying off a phone on a plan were most likely to be paying for more data, with just over one-third (34 per cent) paying for at least 100 gigabytes or unlimited data. That compared to 22 per cent of those on a SIM-only plan, and prepaid mobile plan.

“This is no accident, however, as providers typically bundle large, often unlimited, data allowances on their phone on a plan offerings with flagship devices, forcing customers into higher-tier plans,” Donnelly said.

Canstar said while shopping around providers for the best deal was a good idea, it was important to make sure a new plan actually fits your lifestyle and your wallet.

For mobile customers

• Check your actual data usage: Don’t pay for what you don’t use. Review your past bills, online account or phone settings to see exactly how much data you consume each month.
  
• Confirm network coverage: Review potential providers’ coverage maps to ensure you’ll have a reliable connection at home, at work, and on your commute. New rules mean providers have to show the level of coverage they provide, making it even easier.
  
• Read the terms and conditions: You might be offered hefty discounts on plan fees or shiny new devices, but always check the fine print. If you need to leave a contract early, your discount may be voided, leaving you on the hook to pay the full retail price of the device.

For internet customers

• Review your speed needs: Don’t pay for speeds you don’t use. If your household primarily uses the internet for basic web browsing and standard streaming, downgrading to a lower speed tier is a quick way to save.
  
• Negotiate with your current provider: If you’ve been with your telco long-term, ask it for a better deal. You might find it is willing to match a competitor’s discount rather than lose you as a customer.
  
• Watch out for hidden fees: Before you cancel your current service, check your plan’s Critical Information Summary. Ensure you won’t be hit with unexpected exit fees or hardware non-return charges.
  
• Consider alternatives to the NBN: If fixed-line NBN plans are stretching the budget, look into 4G or 5G home wireless internet. These plug-and-play plans run on mobile networks and are often cheaper than comparable NBN tiers, provided your local mobile coverage is strong.