CommsMobile Network: Coverage, Bands & Speeds (Telstra Wholesale)
Overview
CommsMobile runs on the Telstra Wholesale Mobile Network — the same core infrastructure as Telstra, with coverage and speed settings defined for wholesale partners. This is the reference for coverage, bands, speeds, and device eligibility.
Coverage
The network reaches over 98.8% of the Australian population across more than 1.7 million km². Actual coverage still depends on the device, the plan tier (such as a 5G-enabled plan), and the exact location — indoor vs outdoor, metro vs fringe.
Check an address on the CommsMobile Coverage Map, and confirm coverage at the customer's home, work, and regular travel spots before activation. Wholesale reaches marginally less of the population than Telstra Retail and can differ in remote or fringe areas — see CommsMobile: Telstra Wholesale vs Retail Network for the full comparison.
Network Technology & Bands
The network runs on 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR). The 3G network closed on 28 October 2024 — only 4G/5G devices are supported.
| Network | Band | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4G (LTE) | B28 – 700 MHz | Range, indoor & regional coverage |
| 4G (LTE) | B3 – 1800 MHz | Capacity in metro areas |
| 4G (LTE) | B7 – 2600 MHz | High-density locations |
| 5G (NR) | n5 – 850 MHz | Extended regional coverage |
| 5G (NR) | n78 – 3500 MHz | High-speed data in major cities |
Band 28 (700 MHz) matters most for indoor and regional coverage — a device without it will see weaker signal in those areas.
Device Eligibility
A device must support the bands above (especially B28) and be VoLTE-capable for voice. It should be network-unlocked and Australia-compliant — imported or grey-market handsets may lack the required bands.
To confirm a specific handset, see Check if a Device Works on CommsMobile. To turn on VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling, see Voice Calling Features: VoLTE & VoWiFi.
Data Speeds
Speeds vary with device, signal strength, congestion, and environment. Plan caps are the maximum the network will deliver — not a guaranteed end-user speed.
- 5G-inclusive plans: up to 250 Mbps
- 4G-only / non-5G plans: up to 100 Mbps
| Coverage | Device | Typical download | Typical upload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G coverage, 5G plan | 5G device | 10 – 250 Mbps | 1 – 40 Mbps |
| 4G coverage, 5G plan | 5G device | 5 – 180 Mbps | 1 – 40 Mbps |
| 4G coverage, non-5G plan | 4G device | 2 – 100 Mbps | 1 – 40 Mbps |
5G coverage is still expanding and is available only in selected areas with a compatible device and an active 5G plan.
Key Notes
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | Telstra Wholesale (4G LTE + 5G NR); 3G closed 28 Oct 2024 |
| Must-have band | B28 (700 MHz) for indoor/regional coverage |
| Voice | VoLTE required; 3G voice no longer available |
| Speed caps | 250 Mbps (5G plans) / 100 Mbps (4G plans) — "up to" only |
| Before activation | Run a Coverage Map check at home, work & travel locations |
| Device help | See the device-compatibility guide (Article 9) and the VoLTE/VoWiFi guide (Article 47) |
