If you’re with Moose Mobile or Swoop, your phone is changing networks whether you asked or not: both budget brands are moving from Optus to Vodafone, taking more than 135,000 customers with them. It’s mostly good news — some prices drop, eSIM finally arrives — but there’s one thing you must actually do, and a couple of catches worth knowing before the switch reaches your SIM.
The short version:
- 135,000+ customers migrate from the Optus network to Vodafone “over the coming weeks”. New signups are already on Vodafone.
- Existing customers will be sent a new SIM to activate — ignore it and your service eventually stops.
- Several plans got cheaper, and eSIM support is new at both brands.
- The catch: top speeds are now capped at 150Mbps, where the old top-tier Optus plans were uncapped.
What’s Changing (And What It Costs)
| Change | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network | Optus → Vodafone (new customers immediately; existing over coming weeks) |
| Action required | Activate the replacement SIM when instructions arrive |
| Speeds | All plans now capped at 150Mbps (previously uncapped on top Optus tiers) |
| eSIM | Now supported at both brands |
| Moose pricing | 100GB: $41.80 → $39.80; 250GB: $55.80 → $49.80 (per Finder and WhistleOut) |
| Swoop pricing | Most plans down $4–5; 30GB: $29 → $24.90 |
A Swoop spokesperson says “the entire process is meant to be straightforward”, with support teams assisting, per Finder’s coverage. Both brands are sweetening the disruption with prize draws — Moose’s includes a car and iPhone 17 Pros, per WhistleOut.
Will Your Coverage Survive The Move?
For most people, yes — and for the first time you can verify that properly instead of taking anyone’s word. Both networks claim 98.5 per cent population coverage, with Optus holding a slim 5G edge (91.9 vs 91.3 per cent, per Finder). TPG, Vodafone’s parent, counters with Deloitte research it commissioned claiming faster speeds and fewer dropouts, especially regionally — treat that as the vendor’s claim it is.
The useful part: as of this month, every carrier must publish coverage maps using the same four-category national standard — so an apples-to-apples check of Vodafone vs Optus at your exact addresses is finally possible. We explained how the new coverage maps work this week. Metro and large-town users will almost certainly be fine; if you’re fringe-of-coverage rural, do the map check before your old SIM goes dark.
Your 3-Step Checklist
- Check Vodafone’s coverage map now — home, work, school run, holiday spots — using the new standardised maps, before the migration reaches you.
- Act on the SIM instructions promptly when they arrive (physical SIM or eSIM). An unactivated replacement eventually means no service.
- Reassess if it doesn’t suit you — heavy users who relied on uncapped speeds, or anyone whose map check disappoints, isn’t locked in. A network migration is a natural moment to shop:
Quick Answers
Do I keep my number?
Yes — this is a network change behind the scenes, not a new account. Your number, plan and billing relationship stay with Moose or Swoop.
Will my phone work on Vodafone?
Any phone sold in Australia in recent years supports all three networks’ main bands. If your handset is very old or imported, check band support before migration day — and note the new eSIM option may be the easiest path on modern phones.
What if I do nothing?
Eventually your old Optus-network SIM stops working once the migration completes. Don’t ignore the activation instructions — or use the moment to switch providers entirely if you’d rather choose your own network. Our Moose Mobile review and cheapest SIM-only roundup can help you decide.
