As a Brisbane resident who prioritizes reliable connectivity without breaking the bank, I’ve always been a bit hesitant about smaller mobile service providers.
That said, It’s part of my job to test these mobile networks for an honest review. I’ve found so many incredible MVNOs over the last year, and one I’ve yet to review was Southern Phone.
After hearing some positive buzz about Southern Phone Mobile, I decided I’d test them next. Here’s an honest account of my experience using Southern Phone Mobile.
The Signup Process: Southern Phone Website Review
I was surprised by the ease of signing up with Southern Phone. Their website is refreshingly straightforward, with no hidden fees and a clear plan structure.
I opted for their 40GB post-paid plan, which offered great data, unlimited calls/texts within Australia, and a suitable price point.
The online signup process took a few minutes, and I loved the fact you can choose between an eSIM and physical sim.
I opted for a brand new number which was quick, however if you’re porting in, you can read “How To Switch Mobile Providers” for further guidance.
Overall, I would give the Southern Phone website, a high rating, simply because it was great from a user experience point of view.
Southern Phone SIM Only Mobile Plans
I signed up for 40GB 5G Plan, the plan itself offers great value, particularly with the price point and inclusions.
The fact that 5G is included at such a cheap price point, is a big win for those looking for cheap 5G, although it is capped at the 100mbps limit.
The plan simplicity was another thing I was impressed with, all at a low price, with unlimited calls and text, a decent data allowance and 5G.
Let’s get into how my experience was, using the Southern Phone Mobile Network throughout Brisbane.
Southern Phone Network Coverage: Strong in the City, with Some Limitations
Southern Phone operates on the Optus network, which provides great coverage across the Brisbane metro area.
In my travels for the week, moving between the city centre and various suburbs, I rarely encountered any connectivity issues.
Calls were clear, data speeds were fast enough for social media browsing, streaming music, and the occasional YouTube binge.
However, I did notice some limitations when traveling to less populated areas outside of Brisbane.
While I still had reception, data speeds could occasionally slow down, making activities like video streaming less seamless.
The 5G connection was great when I was in the City, however I rarely got 5G on the outer skirts of the city.
Using Social Media On Southern Phone
The next part was to test how my social media apps, and all other phone apps faired on the network. For full disclosure, I was using an iPhone 14 Pro Max to connect.
I found that apps such as Facebook, YouTube, Google, Mail, and even X to some extent, performed perfectly when connected to 4G and 5G.
The only issue I came across, was that on X, formerly known as Twitter, the videos in home feed would not load, it would just give a loading symbol, which forced me to close and open the app.
This could have been more of an app issue though, as I had a perfect experience on all of the other apps.
Cancelling Southern Phone Mobile
So after my week long use of the Southern Phone Mobile network, I decided it was time to end the experience.
I went to the website and tried to find a cancel function or resources, and It was actually harder than it should have been.
I searched “cancel mobile” and it returned nothing from their resources function. This was frustrating, however Google returned the correct search.
The resource tab, found here, advises customers to contact Southern Phone to cancel. You can contact them by calling 13 14 64 between 8am to 6pm AEST Monday to Friday.
Customer Service: Unexpectedly Decent
As I mentioned above, I had to contact Southern Phone’s customer service to cancel my mobile number.
I was connected to a friendly representative within a few minutes. I asked to cancel my service, to which she did ask multiple questions.
That’s expected though from providers, and once she was done questioning, she promptly cancelled my service with no issues.
I was a bit surprised by this, as I’ve read the reviews on Trust Pilot and Product Review and was expecting poor service.
Do I Recommend Southern Phone Mobile?
If you’re a Brisbane resident, looking for a reliable and affordable mobile provider without unnecessary bells and whistles, Southern Phone Mobile is 100% worth considering.
Their focus on the essentials and surprisingly attentive customer service makes them a compelling alternative to the big players in the market.
In particular, if you live in metro areas, 5G at such a low price is a big win for consumers, however I do advise you check their coverage map first.
Southern Phone Mobile Review
Southern Phone Mobile Review-
Plan Structure4.5/5 Very goodCompetitive pricing and plans
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Network & Coverage4/5 GoodDecent network coverage within greater Brisbane, It worked amazing in the City with opportunity for suburban areas
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Sign Up Process4.5/5 Very goodSuper easy, fast responsive website.
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Cancellation Process3.5/5 NormalCancelling was easy once connected to a customer service representative. Opportunity in being more transparent for those looking to cancel on the website.
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Customer Rewards/Loyalty3/5 NeutralThis is always an opportunity for MVNO providers, more loyalty and benefits for customers.
What I Liked
- Easy signup process
- Competitive pricing and plans
- Great metro coverage
What I Didn't Like
- Coverage in suburban areas
- More transparency for cancelling
- Lack of extra perks and rewards programs