Lyca Mobile Australia phone plans review

Since its arrival in Australia in 2010, Lyca Mobile has positioned itself as a budget telco, offering prepaid plans with large data allowances and extensive international calling inclusions. Its prices are particularly competitive, often half the price of MVNO options, making it one of the most affordable choices for new customers. However, this comes with the trade-off of not having premium network perks like in-person assistance provided by Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone.

Lyca Mobile's recent shift has seen it move away from its previous Telstra wholesale network to Vodafone's 4G/5G infrastructure. While this delivers solid performance in metropolitan and suburban areas, coverage in regional or remote parts of the country is not as extensive. The international calling allowances are Lyca Mobile's standout feature, with many plans offering unlimited minutes to numerous countries, which appeals to those who frequently make overseas calls.

Customer sentiment is somewhat mixed, with many users appreciating the low prices and generous data allowances, but some express dissatisfaction with the customer service. Complaints include long response times and difficulties in resolving account issues. Despite this, Lyca Mobile's key strengths lie in its affordability, substantial data provisions, and excellent international calling value.

However, its coverage is slightly more limited than that of Telstra and performance can vary, so it may not be the best fit for everyone.

Lyca Mobile offers several prepaid plans, all starting at AU$30 for a 28-day period. The LycaPlan S provides 50GB of data, LycaPlan M offers 120GB (with a 40GB bonus after twelve renewals), and the LycaPlan L includes 150GB, with a 150GB increase for the first three renewals. These plans come with unlimited national talk and text and a capped speed of 100Mbps.

For those who prefer a longer-term commitment, Lyca Mobile offers 180-day and 360-day plans with larger data pools. The 180-day plan costs AU$90 for new customers and AU$120 after the introductory period, with data allocated in 20GB increments every 30 days. The Medium 360-day plan is priced at AU$240 for new customers and AU$240 ongoing, offering 360GB spread across 12 x 30GB blocks, while the Large 360-day plan provides a whopping 900GB at AU$220 for new customers and AU$480 ongoing, with data in 12 x 75GB blocks.

However, many customers find the 28-day plans offer better value, particularly with the substantial introductory discounts.