CommsMobile - Telstra Wholesale vs Retail Network
Published:
Overview
This explains how the Telstra Wholesale network that CommsMobile uses compares to the full Telstra (Retail) network — what to expect technically, and when wholesale coverage may differ.
Key Wholesale Network Metrics
- Telstra Wholesale covers over 98.8% of Australia's population.
- The landmass footprint is more than 1.7 million square kilometres.
- 5G on Wholesale is available only in certain areas and needs both a 5G-capable device and a 5G-inclusive plan.
What This Means Technically
- Even at 98.8%, some fringe, rural, or remote zones may have weak or no Wholesale coverage.
- Real-world experience (signal strength, SMS reliability, data speeds) depends on the device, distance to the nearest cell site, terrain, obstructions, and local network load.
- Where 5G is part of the plan, it will not appear everywhere — in many places the device falls back to 4G.
What CommsMobile Offers (Wholesale)
- CommsMobile runs on Telstra Wholesale, so the limits above apply.
- The CommsMobile Coverage Map lets customers check what to expect at their address.
- Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) is supported where mobile signal is weak but Wi-Fi is available.
Advice for Customers & Partners
- Before choosing Retail vs Wholesale or upgrading, check the coverage map at the specific postcode or address.
- If signal is weak across several key locations (home, work, travel), Retail may have more infrastructure in those fringe zones.
- Make sure the device supports the necessary bands and 5G to get the most from Wholesale where available.
Caution & Disclaimers
- Some coverage claims are based on external-antenna modelling for landmass/fringe estimates; performance indoors or on standard devices may be lower.
- Maps and figures are kept current, but actual service varies with physical, environmental, and technical factors.
- CommsMobile provides a Wholesale service on Telstra Wholesale infrastructure; not all areas will match what is shown for Retail.
