Optus announces price hike in mobile plans
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As we all know, staying connected in today's world is not just a luxury, it's a necessity. For many Australians over 60, mobile phones are a lifeline to family, friends, and emergency services. That's why any change in the cost of our mobile plans can be a significant concern.
Recently, Optus customers have been facing just such a change, with the company announcing an increase in plan prices starting this week.
The telco giant has overhauled its pricing structure for new customers, resulting in some plans costing up to $13 more. Additionally, the number of available plans has been reduced from four to three.
This change, which came into effect on May 27, thankfully won't impact existing customers, but it's something to be mindful of if you're considering switching to Optus or changing your current plan.
Under the new pricing model, the smallest plan has been bumped from 30GB a month for $49 to 50GB a month for $52.
While this does represent a price increase, it's important to note that customers will also be getting an additional 20GB of data.
On the flip side, the largest plan has actually become cheaper. It now offers 360GB for $82, down from the previous $89.
The previous middle-tier options of 100GB for $59 and 22GB for $69 have been replaced by a single medium option of 180GB for $62.
When we break down the cost per gigabyte, the cheapest option has gone from $0.25 to $0.23, and the most expensive from $1.63 to $1.04 under the new model.
This suggests that while prices have increased, the value per gigabyte has improved.
For those who will subscribe to larger plans, there's a silver lining: a $20 SubHub credit is now included, which could offset some of the cost increase.
Additionally, customers will continue to enjoy unlimited talk and text nationally, as well as unlimited calls to 35 international destinations.
Optus has justified the price hike by pointing to their ongoing investment in network improvements, including enhancing the capacity, speed, and reliability of their 4G service and expanding their 5G network.
'Due to the increasing costs to maintain and provide a great network experience, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the price of some of our mobile plans,' Optus stated.
‘Balancing the affordability of our products with the need for ongoing investment is a delicate task and we are acutely aware of this challenge, especially considering the vital role connectivity plays in our lives,’ they added.
For our members, this news serves as a reminder to regularly review your mobile plans and ensure you're getting the best value for your needs.
If you're an existing Optus customer, you're in the clear for now, but it's worth keeping an eye on any future changes that might affect your bill.
And if you're shopping around for a new plan, consider not only the monthly cost but also the data allowance and any additional benefits that come with it.
Late last year, Optus experienced one of the largest outages in Australian history, affecting 10 million customers, including hospitals, businesses and transport networks.
Have you been affected by the recent changes in mobile plan pricing, or do you have any tips for getting the best deal on your mobile plan? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
Recently, Optus customers have been facing just such a change, with the company announcing an increase in plan prices starting this week.
The telco giant has overhauled its pricing structure for new customers, resulting in some plans costing up to $13 more. Additionally, the number of available plans has been reduced from four to three.
This change, which came into effect on May 27, thankfully won't impact existing customers, but it's something to be mindful of if you're considering switching to Optus or changing your current plan.
Optus has revised its plan pricing, causing some plans to increase in cost by up to $13. Image source: Shutterstock
Under the new pricing model, the smallest plan has been bumped from 30GB a month for $49 to 50GB a month for $52.
While this does represent a price increase, it's important to note that customers will also be getting an additional 20GB of data.
On the flip side, the largest plan has actually become cheaper. It now offers 360GB for $82, down from the previous $89.
The previous middle-tier options of 100GB for $59 and 22GB for $69 have been replaced by a single medium option of 180GB for $62.
When we break down the cost per gigabyte, the cheapest option has gone from $0.25 to $0.23, and the most expensive from $1.63 to $1.04 under the new model.
This suggests that while prices have increased, the value per gigabyte has improved.
For those who will subscribe to larger plans, there's a silver lining: a $20 SubHub credit is now included, which could offset some of the cost increase.
Additionally, customers will continue to enjoy unlimited talk and text nationally, as well as unlimited calls to 35 international destinations.
Optus has justified the price hike by pointing to their ongoing investment in network improvements, including enhancing the capacity, speed, and reliability of their 4G service and expanding their 5G network.
'Due to the increasing costs to maintain and provide a great network experience, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the price of some of our mobile plans,' Optus stated.
‘Balancing the affordability of our products with the need for ongoing investment is a delicate task and we are acutely aware of this challenge, especially considering the vital role connectivity plays in our lives,’ they added.
For our members, this news serves as a reminder to regularly review your mobile plans and ensure you're getting the best value for your needs.
If you're an existing Optus customer, you're in the clear for now, but it's worth keeping an eye on any future changes that might affect your bill.
And if you're shopping around for a new plan, consider not only the monthly cost but also the data allowance and any additional benefits that come with it.
Late last year, Optus experienced one of the largest outages in Australian history, affecting 10 million customers, including hospitals, businesses and transport networks.
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