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Optus has refreshed its postpaid mobile phone plans by increasing both the prices and data allowances.
Optus’ SIM-only postpaid phone plans previously started at $45 per month with 20GB, but now you’re looking at $49 per month with 30GB. The $55 per month plan with 80GB is now $59 per month with 100GB. $65 per month Earlier you used to get 200GB, which is now $69 per month with 220GB. And finally, the $85 per month plan with 240GB is now the $89 per month plan with 360GB.
Apart from this, Optus has made changes in its Optus Plus promo plan. It still comes with 500GB, but you’re now looking at $69 per month for your first six months and $119 per month after that. This offer will last till 4th August.
So how do these new plans compare to Telstra and Vodafone? Before we begin, here are the new core range of Optus SIM-only plans:
No contract SIM-only plan
Despite Optus’ plans now costing $4 more per month across the board, Telstra is still the most expensive option on the SIM-only plan.
Vodafone has the cheapest SIM-only plan out of the three, offering 40GB of data for $40 per month. On the other hand, you’re looking at $49 per month for 30GB on Optus, or $58 per month for 40GB on Telstra.
Stepping up, Vodafone gives you its best data for dollar option: You’ll pay $60 per month for 300GB. For comparison, Optus charges $59 for 100GB or Telstra $68 for 180GB.
If you go over your allowance, all three providers offer unlimited data at limited speeds. On Telstra and Optus, you’ll be limited to 1.5Mbps. Vodafone plan capped speeds vary between 2 Mbps and 10 Mbps, depending on what your monthly spend is. The more expensive your bill, the faster your capped speed will be. Vodafone also has a truly unlimited plan which is currently available for $65 per month.
Optus plans with a phone
All telcos now sell phones in the same way: you choose one of their SIM-only plans and then add a handset. You’ll then pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months, interest-free, at an overall cost, which roughly equals the one-time price. Telstra doesn’t offer consecutive 36-month repayments, but Optus and Vodafone do.
The similarity between how the three telcos now sell phones means that the pricing is much more predictable: you’re just taking the one-time price of the phone and taking it over to your chosen plan. However, some other factors can change this equation. For example, we have seen telcos apply discounts on the full price of phones to make them a little cheaper.
Here’s a look at how the cheapest options from the Big Three providers compare with some of the latest devices:
iPhone 13 (128GB)
iPhone 13 Pro (128GB)
Samsung Galaxy S22 (128GB)
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (128GB)
Google Pixel 6a plan (128GB)
Google Pixel 6 Pro (128GB)
Oppo Find X5 Pro (256GB)
International calls
The Optus postpaid plan for as little as $59 per month (excluding handset repayment) includes unlimited conversations and texts in 35 countries.
For comparison, Telstra’s Upfront mobile plan includes unlimited SMS and MMS to all international numbers and 30 minutes of calls to any standard international number. If you want to make more than 30 minutes of international calls in a month, you’ll need to add a $10 per month international calling pack.
Lastly, Vodafone postpaid plans start getting international calling inclusion from the $45 per month mark and above. These are generally divided into zone 1 and zone 2 destinations. For example, Vodafone’s $50 per month plan includes 1,000 minutes for Zone 1 destinations and 100 minutes for Zone 2. All Vodafone postpaid plans include unlimited standard international SMS.
Excessive
On top of talk, text, and data, all of the Big Three’s plans include a few extras.
Optus customers don’t have as many extras as they used to. While Optus Sport used to be a free inclusion on all Optus postpaid plans, Optus customers now get a discounted rate. If you have a postpaid mobile plan with Optus, instead of paying $24.99 per month, you’ll pay $6.99 per month. Optus customers also get discounted tickets through Hoyts.
The Telstra plan also gives you discounts on movie tickets from event cinemas and data-free access to Apple Music. However, if you want cheap movie tickets, you’ll need to join Telstra Plus.
By joining Telstra Plus as part of the Frequent Flyer Style Rewards scheme, you earn 10 points for every dollar you spend on your monthly bill. You can spend these points on select gadgets or use points discount on devices. Telstra Plus is free to join.
Telstra customers are also currently eligible for a one-month free trial of Foxtel Now and a one-month free trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Vodafone doesn’t have much to offer in terms of extras, but if you have multiple postpaid plans on the same Vodafone account, you’ll save 5 percent on your total bill for each plan after the first, up to a maximum of 20 percent. This includes only SIM, mobile, tablet and mobile broadband. Vodafone mobile customers can also avail discounts on Vodafone 4G home internet, 5G home internet and NBN plans.
What are my other options?
If you’re looking for a cheaper plan on the Optus network, these plans with as little as 40GB start at $20 per month. The standout offer comes from Circles.Life where you can pay $25 per month for 50GB with promo code FREEZE50. This pricing lasts for the life of your plan.
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of Here whistle outAustralia’s phone and internet comparison website.
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