Best Data Plans for iPads and Cellular Tablets in Australia

Woman using a tablet at home while connected to the internet

Your iPad might spend most of its time connected to Wi-Fi. Then you take it to a café, use it on the train or bring it to a client meeting, and suddenly you need an internet connection away from home.

If you have a cellular iPad or Android tablet, a mobile data plan lets you get online wherever suitable mobile coverage is available. The challenge is finding a plan with enough data for your needs without paying for more than you'll use.

Before comparing plans, check that your tablet supports cellular connectivity. Then consider its SIM or eSIM requirements, network coverage, data allowance, renewal period and ongoing cost.

For many tablet users, a data-only mobile broadband plan is worth considering. It provides mobile internet access without requiring a traditional phone service.

Your iPad might spend most of its time connected to Wi-Fi. Then you take it to a café, use it on the train or bring it to a client meeting, and suddenly you need an internet connection away from home.

If you have a cellular iPad or Android tablet, a mobile data plan lets you get online wherever suitable mobile coverage is available. The challenge is finding a plan with enough data for your needs without paying for more than you'll use.

Before comparing plans, check that your tablet supports cellular connectivity. Then consider its SIM or eSIM requirements, network coverage, data allowance, renewal period and ongoing cost.

For many tablet users, a data-only mobile broadband plan is worth considering. It provides mobile internet access without requiring a traditional phone service.

Quick answer: How to choose a tablet data plan

Choosing a tablet plan starts with five things:

Device compatibility: Check whether your tablet supports cellular data and uses a physical SIM, eSIM or both.

Coverage: Make sure the provider has suitable coverage where you'll use the tablet.

Data allowance: Estimate how much you need for browsing, video calls, streaming and downloads.

Plan conditions: Check the renewal period, data expiry, speed limits and 4G or 5G access.

Ongoing price: Compare the cost over several renewals rather than focusing only on the advertised price.

A data-only mobile broadband plan may suit you if you mainly use your tablet for browsing, streaming, studying or work.

Ready to compare? Explore Yomojo mobile broadband plans.

Choosing a tablet plan starts with five things:

Device compatibility: Check whether your tablet supports cellular data and uses a physical SIM, eSIM or both.

Coverage: Make sure the provider has suitable coverage where you'll use the tablet.

Data allowance: Estimate how much you need for browsing, video calls, streaming and downloads.

Plan conditions: Check the renewal period, data expiry, speed limits and 4G or 5G access.

Ongoing price: Compare the cost over several renewals rather than focusing only on the advertised price.

A data-only mobile broadband plan may suit you if you mainly use your tablet for browsing, streaming, studying or work.

Ready to compare? Explore Yomojo mobile broadband plans.

Does your iPad or tablet support cellular data?

Before comparing plans, there's one question worth answering first:

Can your tablet actually connect to a mobile network?

Not every iPad can.

Apple sells both Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models. A Wi-Fi-only iPad cannot connect directly to a mobile network, so it needs Wi-Fi or another device's hotspot when you're away from a fixed internet connection. A Wi-Fi + Cellular model can use mobile data where supported.

The SIM setup also depends on the model. Some older cellular iPads support a physical SIM, while newer models are moving towards eSIM-only connectivity. Apple says newer models, including the iPad A16, iPad Pro M4 and later, iPad Air M2 and later, and iPad mini A17 Pro, use eSIM and don't have a physical SIM card slot.

Android tablets are similar in that the exact model matters. Some cellular Samsung Galaxy Tab models support SIM and eSIM, while Wi-Fi-only versions do not provide mobile connectivity.

So, before ordering a SIM, find the exact model number of your tablet and check the manufacturer's specifications.

It is a small step that can save you from buying a plan your device can't use.

Before comparing plans, there's one question worth answering first:

Can your tablet actually connect to a mobile network?

Not every iPad can.

Apple sells both Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models. A Wi-Fi-only iPad cannot connect directly to a mobile network, so it needs Wi-Fi or another device's hotspot when you're away from a fixed internet connection. A Wi-Fi + Cellular model can use mobile data where supported.

The SIM setup also depends on the model. Some older cellular iPads support a physical SIM, while newer models are moving towards eSIM-only connectivity. Apple says newer models, including the iPad A16, iPad Pro M4 and later, iPad Air M2 and later, and iPad mini A17 Pro, use eSIM and don't have a physical SIM card slot.

Android tablets are similar in that the exact model matters. Some cellular Samsung Galaxy Tab models support SIM and eSIM, while Wi-Fi-only versions do not provide mobile connectivity.

So, before ordering a SIM, find the exact model number of your tablet and check the manufacturer's specifications.

It is a small step that can save you from buying a plan your device can't use.

Data-only SIM versus a standard mobile plan

Do you need a regular mobile phone plan for an iPad? Not necessarily.

A data-only SIM provides mobile internet access for compatible devices such as tablets, hotspots and modems. A standard mobile plan may include calls, SMS and data, although inclusions vary between providers.

Some standard mobile SIMs can also work in compatible tablets, depending on the device and provider's terms. The important thing is to choose a service that suits your device and how you plan to use it.

Yomojo's mobile broadband service is designed for data use on compatible devices, including tablets, hotspots and modems. Learn more about Yomojo mobile broadband.

Do you need a regular mobile phone plan for an iPad? Not necessarily.

A data-only SIM provides mobile internet access for compatible devices such as tablets, hotspots and modems. A standard mobile plan may include calls, SMS and data, although inclusions vary between providers.

Some standard mobile SIMs can also work in compatible tablets, depending on the device and provider's terms. The important thing is to choose a service that suits your device and how you plan to use it.

Yomojo's mobile broadband service is designed for data use on compatible devices, including tablets, hotspots and modems. Learn more about Yomojo mobile broadband.

How much tablet data do you need?

Two people can own the same iPad and have completely different data needs.

One might use it to check emails and read articles, while another streams shows, joins video calls and uses it as a hotspot for a laptop. The amount of data you need depends largely on how you use your tablet and how often you're away from Wi-Fi.

Browsing, email and schoolwork

If you mainly use your tablet to browse websites, read articles, check emails and access school portals, you may not need a large data allowance.

Around 7GB to 15GB per 30 days could be a reasonable starting point, although your needs will depend on how often you use the tablet and what you access online. Video lessons, cloud storage and large downloads can increase your usage.

Video calls and remote work

Regular video meetings and file transfers can use considerably more data than basic browsing. If you work away from Wi-Fi several days a week, consider an allowance of around 15GB to 50GB per 30 days.

Remember that a laptop connected through your tablet's hotspot will use the same mobile data allowance.

Streaming and downloads

Streaming video, downloading films, installing apps and syncing photos can use data quickly. If you regularly use your tablet for entertainment or as a portable work computer, 50GB to 100GB or more per 30 days may be worth considering.

Your actual usage will depend on factors such as video quality, streaming time and the size of your downloads.

The ACCC highlights activities such as video streaming, video calls, gaming and downloading as factors that can increase mobile data usage.

Travel and occasional use

Maybe your tablet is normally connected to home Wi-Fi and only needs mobile data when you're travelling.

In that case, a smaller plan may make more sense.

There's little value in paying for a large allowance every month if most of it goes unused.

Before choosing a plan, think about how often you'll actually leave Wi-Fi behind.

Two people can own the same iPad and have completely different data needs.

One might use it to check emails and read articles, while another streams shows, joins video calls and uses it as a hotspot for a laptop. The amount of data you need depends largely on how you use your tablet and how often you're away from Wi-Fi.

Browsing, email and schoolwork

If you mainly use your tablet to browse websites, read articles, check emails and access school portals, you may not need a large data allowance.

Around 7GB to 15GB per 30 days could be a reasonable starting point, although your needs will depend on how often you use the tablet and what you access online. Video lessons, cloud storage and large downloads can increase your usage.

Video calls and remote work

Regular video meetings and file transfers can use considerably more data than basic browsing. If you work away from Wi-Fi several days a week, consider an allowance of around 15GB to 50GB per 30 days.

Remember that a laptop connected through your tablet's hotspot will use the same mobile data allowance.

Streaming and downloads

Streaming video, downloading films, installing apps and syncing photos can use data quickly. If you regularly use your tablet for entertainment or as a portable work computer, 50GB to 100GB or more per 30 days may be worth considering.

Your actual usage will depend on factors such as video quality, streaming time and the size of your downloads.

The ACCC highlights activities such as video streaming, video calls, gaming and downloading as factors that can increase mobile data usage.

Travel and occasional use

Maybe your tablet is normally connected to home Wi-Fi and only needs mobile data when you're travelling.

In that case, a smaller plan may make more sense.

There's little value in paying for a large allowance every month if most of it goes unused.

Before choosing a plan, think about how often you'll actually leave Wi-Fi behind.

What to compare in an iPad or tablet plan

A plan can look impressive on paper and still be the wrong fit for your tablet. Here's what deserves a closer look.

Coverage and 4G or 5G access

Check the provider's coverage map for the places where you'll use your tablet, including your home, workplace, regular commute or holiday destination.

Reception can vary with your location, surrounding buildings, terrain, network congestion and device.

Yomojo uses the Optus 4G network for its mobile services. You can check expected coverage using the Yomojo coverage checker.

Also, check which network technologies the specific plan supports. Not every plan necessarily offers the same features.

Renewal period and data expiry

"Monthly" can be a little misleading.

A plan that renews every 30 days doesn't line up exactly with the calendar month. Over 12 renewals, that's 360 days.

Yomojo's current mobile broadband plans renew every 30 days, so keep that renewal cycle in mind when comparing prices with plans that use different periods. (Yomojo mobile broadband)

Also check what happens to unused data. If your allowance expires at the end of the renewal period, choosing a much larger plan than you need may simply mean paying for data you never use.

A bigger data allowance doesn't necessarily mean faster internet.

A plan can give you plenty of gigabytes while still having a maximum speed.

For example, Yomojo's current mobile broadband Critical Information Summary lists a 150Mbps speed cap. (Yomojo MBB CIS)

Actual speeds can also vary based on factors such as location, network congestion, device capabilities and signal conditions.

And if you're planning to use your iPad as a hotspot, check the provider's terms and keep an eye on your data usage. Connecting a laptop can make those gigabytes disappear much faster than using the tablet alone.

Activation and account management

Before signing up, check how you'll activate the service, monitor your data usage, renew the plan, buy extra data and get support if something goes wrong.

Yomojo's mobile broadband plans allow customers to purchase additional data when they use their included allowance, subject to the applicable plan terms. Check the current mobile broadband plans.

These features can be particularly useful if the tablet is shared by family members or used for work.

What will your tablet data plan cost over time?

Comparing several renewals can give you a clearer picture of the ongoing cost. Here's what six and 12 renewals would cost at Yomojo's listed prices checked on 8 October 2026: