Optus customers to see $1 to $6 price hike

Phone and broadband plan price changes go into effect 1 November.

Adam Bender (Computerworld)
08 October, 2012 10:55
Comments

Optus customers will see a price hike on most phone and broadband plans next month, the telco said. The carrier this month reduced the number of plans available and did away with peak and off-peak data limits.

On average, customers will see their rates rise $1 to $6, an Optus spokeswoman told Computerworld Australia. The changes go into effect 1 November.

“The impact to the customers on these plans will differ depending on what type of plan they are on, however it will mean a price rise on most plans,” the spokeswoman said.

The price hike won’t affect customers on NBN, senior plans or 50GB free broadband bundled customers, Optus said.

Meanwhile, Optus has slashed its number of plans to 12, down from more than 30. “By streamlining our fixed plans we will be able to offer greater clarity and simplicity when it comes to selecting a home phone or broadband plan through Optus,” Michael Smith, a managing director at Optus, wrote on the company’s blog.

Under the new plans, Optus has stopped differentiating between data used in on- and off-peak hours. It also has removed upfront connection and delivery fees on 24-month plans. Wi-Fi modems are included on all broadband plans and bundles. In addition, customers can choose to sign up for 6-month contracts.

Follow Adam Bender on Twitter: @WatchAdam

Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU, or take part in the Computerworld conversation on LinkedIn: Computerworld Australia