Welcome to a new era in mobile phone plans with Optus. Following Vodafone’s and Telstra’s move to a no lock-in contract arrangement, Optus has created a new approach to their plans also featuring no long term commitment.
The lack of a contract is at the core of new mobile plans, but the telcos, of course, know that many of us will buy a phone from them, paying it off monthly which itself is a way to lock you in. However, these new plans from Optus mean from one month to another you can choose the plan inclusions to suit yourself.
That could mean paying as little as $39 a month, or as much as $119 – but that’s the most you’ll be committing to.
Excess data charges still apply, using the good old 1GB extra for $10 approach, but with so many plan options to choose from you shouldn’t need to let that happen more than once given you are not locked into any plan and can go up and down as you need.
Optus has three main approaches to plan offerings going forward.
First, to choose a set existing plan. Second, you can customise your plan yourself to suit, and finally, they have what’s called “Optus One” – the “Ultimate Optus Experience”
Optus One is $119 a month, from today that’s Optus’ most expensive plan. On it, you get 500GB of data locally, 10GB of data roaming to key destinations, unlimited talk and text, unlimited international talk and text to 35 countries, and your choice of a device on 12, 24 or 36-month repayments – or just bring your own.
All that, on no lock-in contract. Matt Williams from Optus says it’s a big deal “The Optus One plan overflows with generous features and benefits becoming the ultimate Optus experience. Together with dedicated 24/7 One-to-One Care, Network Priority, exciting Optus One Perks, there is no better time to be with Optus.”
Note there also, he mentions Network Priority – that means in times of congestion, Optus is differentiating between their highest and lowest paying customers – giving their big spenders an express lane down the freeway. Logical, but likely to come under some scrutiny from lovers of “net neutrality”.
Additionally, Optus One customers get a single person point of contact – one-to-one care for any issues.
If that’s a bit much for you, the basic plan is $39 with 10GB of data – enough for most, while the plan customiser could see you choose 150GB of data, unlimited international calls and texts and 4GB of roaming data for $91 a month.
Optus has taken some time to get into the no-contract world, but it’s better late than never. Complete user choice, and a top-end plan that puts the others to shame in many ways – bring on the fight for your mobile dollars!
Web: Optus
