What is Mobile Data?
Your phone uses mobile data to access the internet when you're not on Wi-Fi, allowing you to send emails, stream shows and scroll social media when you’re out and about. Mobile data runs through a network, for example 4G or 5G, and is typically bundled into mobile plans. Sometimes it's included alongside calls and texts, and sometimes it's on its own as a data-only plan.
This amaysim guide covers the basics: what mobile data is, how it works in your plan, how much you might need, and how to make the most of your data allowance.
How does mobile data work in your plan?
Most mobile plans bundle standard calls, text messages, and a data allowance. The data part is what your phone uses to do anything online when it's not connected to Wi-Fi, for example, checking maps, streaming music, scrolling social, or downloading apps.
That data allowance is measured in gigabytes (GB), and your plan gives you a set amount for a given billing or expiry period. If you use less than your included data in a given billing or expiry period, some providers let you roll the leftover into the next renewal period so you don't lose what you've paid for. This is known as data banking, and amaysim offers it on multiple plans, including 7-day, 28-day and long expiry plans.
Standard plan vs data-only plan
A standard mobile plan typically bundles three things together: a mobile number, standard talk and text across Australia (included as standard in amaysim's 28-day and long-expiry plans), and a data allowance. A data-only plan strips out the calls and SMS and gives you just the data.
At amaysim, our 7-day, 28-day and long expiry mobile plans come with no lock-in contracts, and come with data banking, running on the 4G and 5G network (in select locations with a compatible device).
Data limits or unlimited?
Dreaming of streaming? Some mobile providers advertise 'unlimited' data designed to allow endless hours of connectivity.
What's the catch? Sometimes, these plans include a base allowance of full-speed data, and any usage above that gets slowed right down. This is known as throttling, and it can cause video to buffer, downloads to slow down, and generally affect how you use your device. It's worth checking the terms and conditions of your mobile plan to determine if and when your provider throttles.
That's worth knowing when you're comparing plans. The 'unlimited' label can mean different things depending on the provider, so it pays to read what happens once you hit the cap.
amaysim's plans give you generous data allowances on full-speed 4G and 5G (in select locations with a compatible device), with the option to top up from $10 per 1GB if you ever need more in a given billing period.
What is data banking?
As mentioned earlier, data banking is when your unused data rolls over into the next renewal period instead of disappearing at the end of your billing cycle.
At amaysim, there's no cap on how much you can store in your data bank and no expiry as long as you stay on your plan (although, sometimes you can retain your banked data when you change plans (see amaysim.com.au/db for more details). It's one of the features that makes amaysim's plans stand out for anyone whose usage varies between renewal periods.
How much data do I need?
There’s no single right answer, because it comes down to how much you lean on mobile data versus Wi-Fi day to day. For a sense of scale, the monthly average data usage reported to the ACCC in 2024-25 was 14.5GB per user. Your own usage can sit well above or below that depending on how you use your phone. As a rough estimate:
- Less than average: you’re on Wi-Fi at home and work, and mostly use your phone for calls, texts, messaging apps and a bit of browsing or scrolling when you’re out.
- Around average: you check social throughout the day, stream music on your commute, and use maps or the occasional video away from Wi-Fi.
- More than average: you regularly stream video on mobile, play games online, tether other devices, or rarely connect to Wi-Fi at all.
If your data usage varies month to month, data banking can help absorb the spikes. You can lean on any banked data in heavy usage months without upgrading to a plan with a higher base data inclusion.
amaysim's plans cover all of these:
- 7-day SIM plans: 10GB on a weekly cycle, suited to anyone wanting a short-term option without a longer commitment
- 28-day SIM plans: with included data ranging from 15GB up to 120GB
- Long-expiry SIM plans: 6-month plans with 150GB, and 12-month plans up to 240GB, which can be useful for people who'd rather not think about renewals every 28 days
- Data-only plans: 30GB or 100GB on a 28-day cycle, or 365GB on a 12-month cycle, which can be useful for tablets, mobile hotspots and secondary devices
amaysim also runs promotional offers and introductory deals for new customers from time to time, so it's worth checking the current pricing before signing up.
FAQs
What are overage fees on my plan? On some traditional mobile plans, providers can charge 'overage fees' per megabyte of data used beyond your plan's allowance. At amaysim, we prefer to keep things transparent through offering plans with no lock-in contracts and data banking. Just top up for an additional fee, or use your banked data rolled over from your previous billing cycle.
What is speed throttling? Some 'unlimited' plans aren't truly unlimited. Once you reach the set cap, the provider may slow your internet speed right down. That's throttling, and it's worth checking whether a plan does this before you sign up.
Can I use my mobile data overseas? Any overseas data usage is not included within a standard amaysim plan. You can still use your phone while travelling in many locations. For this reason, we recommend purchasing an international roaming pack before you go. Each pack includes a set amount of calls, texts and data to use in select overseas locations.
Ready to shop for a mobile plan?
Now that you know how mobile data works, choosing a plan comes down to matching the allowance to how you actually use your phone. amaysim's range covers everything from short-term 7-day plans through to 12-month long-expiry options, with no lock-in contracts and data banking included.