Standard call rates always seem to lurk in the background of mobile plan advertisements; included call value appears in bold, while call rates appear in fine print.

Today we bring call rates out of the shadows and into the spotlight so you can compare mobile phone plans in more detail. Bear in mind while one mobile phone plan provider may offer cheaper call rates, another may offer a larger amount of included call value. Call rates are also subject to change.

Below are some of the most popular mobile phone plans available, along with their call rates for calling from one network to another (some plan providers offer discounts for calls to the same network). These rates do not include any applicable call connection fees.

Prepaid:

Telstra: 40c per 30 second block or part
Optus: 10c per 30 sec
Vodafone: Flexi Cap: 44.5 cents per 30 seconds
Vodafone: TXT and Talk Recharge: 39 cents per 30 seconds
3: 44 cents per 30 seconds
Virgin Mobile: Your Cap Prepaid: 45 cents per 30 seconds

Post-paid low-end:

Telstra Mobile phone Plan $30: 46c per 30 second block or part
Vodafone $29 Cap plan: 45 cents per 30 seconds
3Mobile $29 Cap plan: 45 cents per 30 seconds
Virgin Rollover Cap $29: 45 cents per 30 seconds
Post-paid mid-range:
Telstra 3G Cap Plan $49: 40c per 30 second block or part
Optus ‘yes’ $49 Cap: 40 cents per 30 seconds
Vodafone $49 Cap plan: 45 cents per 30 seconds
3Mobile $49 Cap: 45 cents per 30 seconds
Virgin Rollover Cap $49: 45 cents per 30 seconds

Post-paid high-end:

Telstra Mobile Phone plan 80: 26c per 30 second block or part
Telstra 3G Cap Plan $79: 35c per 30 second block or part
Optus ‘yes’ $79 Cap: 39 cents per 30 seconds
Vodafone $79 Cap plan: 45 cents per 30 seconds
3Mobile $79 Cap: 45 cents per 30 seconds
Virgin Rollover Cap $79: 45 cents per 30 seconds

(Note: Virgin Mobile Cap Plus plans are charged at the same rate as the Virgin Rollover Cap plans).