Budget & Compare

Mobile and internet plans: types compared

The kinds of phone and internet plans available, and which tend to suit newcomers.

Mobile and internet plans: types compared
Plan type	Often suits	Strengths	Watch out for
Prepay SIM or eSIM	First weeks; anyone without a credit history	No contract Easy to buy on arrival Control your spend	Data can expire Check roaming and international calling rates
On-account (monthly)	Once you have a bank account	Often more data for the price Bundles with home internet	Credit checks Minimum terms Handset repayments
Home broadband (fibre)	Flats and families	Fast and unlimited data on many plans	Contract length Installation lead times Who holds the account in a flat
Calling apps over Wi-Fi	Staying in touch with Sri Lanka	Low cost international calls	Needs data or Wi-Fi on both ends

Prepay SIM or eSIM

Often suits: First weeks; anyone without a credit history
Strengths: No contract · Easy to buy on arrival · Control your spend
Watch out for: Data can expire · Check roaming and international calling rates

On-account (monthly)

Home broadband (fibre)

Often suits: Flats and families
Strengths: Fast and unlimited data on many plans
Watch out for: Contract length · Installation lead times · Who holds the account in a flat

Calling apps over Wi-Fi

Assumptions: Plan features vary by provider and change often.
Included: Common plan types from New Zealand providers.
Not included: Specific providers and prices. Compare current plans on providers’ own websites.

Editorial note: Editorial comparison by Future Lane. No provider has paid to appear.

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