Zip ZMobile, the prepaid mobile service run by buy now, pay later company Zip, is now open to anyone in Australia, not only existing Zip customers. Zip announced the change on Monday, 2 November, with three launch plans that start at A$9 a month for the first six months before moving to a higher ongoing price.
The plans and what they cost
Zip lists these launch prices for new customers. Each plan includes unlimited national talk and text, and the higher price applies from month seven.
| Plan | First six months | Then | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GB | A$9 a month | A$24 a month | 4G |
| 45GB | A$15 a month | A$38 a month | 4G/5G |
| 100GB | A$29 a month | A$66 a month | 4G/5G |
The 45GB and 100GB plans also include international standard calls and SMS to 25 countries. Zip says all plans come with data rollover of up to 500GB, global roaming and no lock-in contract.
It is worth doing the sum over a full year rather than looking only at the headline figure. On the 20GB plan, six months at A$9 and six at A$24 comes to A$198 for the first 12 months. The 45GB plan works out at A$318 and the 100GB plan at A$570 on the same basis.
Network and eSIM
Zip’s announcement says the service runs on TPG Telecom’s network, and the ZMobile FAQ describes it as the Vodafone 5G/4G network, which Zip says covers 98.4 per cent of the Australian population. 5G is available only on the two larger plans, in covered areas and on a compatible phone.
ZMobile is delivered as an eSIM, and Zip publishes an approved device list. Zip says a phone only counts as approved if it runs the latest software with VoLTE (4G calling) turned on, and warns that an unapproved device or out-of-date software may stop calls, including calls to 000. The list applies to Apple and Android models bought in Australia, so a phone bought overseas may not work. Check your exact model before you port a number across.
A few other limits from the FAQ:
- Standalone smartwatch data is not supported, although a watch can still connect through your phone over Bluetooth.
- Only one plan can be loaded to an eSIM, and only one service can be activated under the same name or account, according to Zip’s activation FAQ.
- Plans are prepaid and non-refundable. Any unused credit or remaining balance is lost when the number is cancelled or moved to another provider.
Keeping your number
You can bring your existing number or take a new one. On its ZMobile page, Zip says your current service stays active until the new eSIM is ready, and that you can pay with any major credit or debit card rather than a Zip account. If you are moving to eSIM for the first time, our guide to transferring an eSIM to a new phone in Australia covers how the process works on iPhone and Android.
To leave later, Zip says you give your new provider your ZMobile number and date of birth, and the transfer is handled between the two providers. There are no exit fees, and Zip says you can also pause a plan for up to 115 days.
