‘Optus wake up call’: Other providers compared for value
Vodafone had a fourfold rise in demand off the back of the Optus outage while Boost set a record, with its manager saying it was “a wake up call” for Aussies. Here’s some of what’s on offer beyond Optus.
Victoria
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Wednesday’s extended Optus blackout has seen scores of its customers look elsewhere for communications providers, with Vodafone experiencing its busiest sales day for the year off the back of its rival’s epic fail.
A Vodafone spokesman said its stores and online channels had been “buzzing with customers … looking for reliable service”.
“Over the last 24-hours we’ve seen more than a fourfold increase in activity across all our brands including Vodafone, TPG iiNet, felix and Lebara, making it our busiest sales day in the last year — and it’s not slowing down,” he said.
Tangerine chief Andrew Branson said his provider had also seen “a sizeable bump in sales” across its mobile plans, during and after the Optus outage, with many signing up for its new eSIM that allowed customers to switch over quickly without the need to collect a SIM from a store or wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Vodafone also reported high interest in its eSIM.
“In today’s fast paced world, we know that customers want affordable mobile options on a reliable network,” Mr Branson said.
Youth-focused telco brand Boost Mobile said it had five times its average daily sales on Wednesday — setting a record for a non-sales period — and saw a doubling of its website traffic, as Australians reacted to the Optus outage.
General manager of Boost Mobile Jason Haynes said the Optus outage was a reminder to Australians that switching service providers was easy
“Our research indicates that even with better deals right in front of consumers, there are a lot of Australians who are still reluctant to switch provider, whether that is for fear of losing their number or perceived inconvenience of the process.
“This is simply not the case as customers can come across easily, bring their number and find value … with minimal effort or hassle,” he said.
“This is a wake-up call that you don’t need to be with the same company you’ve always been with, and it’s a great time to shop around.”
A Telstra spokesperson said the major provider was not commenting on whether its customer numbers had swelled, “at this stage”.
Optus did not respond to questions about how many of its customers had cancelled.
The Herald Sun compared eleven communications providers, to see what was on offer.
While the cost of iPhone 15s may be the same — there’s a lot of difference in other areas.
See what provider may work best for you.
TELSTRA
iPhone 15 cost
$41.63 a month. Minimum cost $1,498.68 over 36 months plus chosen plan costs.
Why Telstra claims you should choose it
Australia’s largest 5G network. Cyber security team constantly monitoring network to protect data from suspicious activity. Local support via local stores and the My Telstra app to manage your account with in-app messaging and in-store appointment booking. Carbon neutral plans at no extra cost.
“Our mobile plans and operations are 100 per cent carbon neutral as certified by Climate Active at no extra cost to you.”
Popular mobile bundle plan
25GB for $50 a month. Minimum cost $122 a month, including the cost of an Essential Plan. Uncapped download speeds. Share your data with up to five plans. Unlimited standard national calls and texts, plus data.
A Telstra spokesperson said its most popular plans were, for post paid, the Basic Plan at $62 a month with 50GB, and for pre paid, the $35, 28-day plan with 35GB on the first three recharges.
OPTUS
iPhone 15 cost
Device payments from $41.62 per month over 36 months. Minimum cost $1498.32 plus plan fees.
Why Optus claims you should choose it
Australia’s fastest 5G mobile network for download speeds. Value 5G phone price match guarantee. Features mobile turbocharge.
“It starts with yes. We offer you a network and experience you can depend on. We offer you value you deserve. We offer you amazing features to enhance your every day. Have it all with a great network backed by 24/7 support and expertise.”
VODAFONE
iPhone 15 cost
$41.63 a month. Minimum cost $1,498.68 over 36 months plus chosen plan costs.
Why Vodafone claims you should choose it
“Vodafone has been named the best provider of iPhone plans at the WhistleOut awards for 2021, 2022 and 2023 for helping its customers save big bucks with fantastic value and bundled inclusions. With Vodafone you can connect to the #1 global 5G network and access international and in-flight roaming for just $5. And if you’re a music lover, Vodafone’s partnership with Live Nation means you can jump the queue to your next concert through exclusive pre sale ticket access to local and global artists touring Australia.”
Mobile bundle plan
80GB for $45 a month. Minimum cost $86.63 a month. All Vodafone plans come with unlimited talk and text and the Vodafone Network Satisfaction Guarantee which means if you don’t love its network within the first 30 days, you can cancel your plan.
FELIX
SIM only mobile plan
Unlimited mobile data at speeds up to 20Mbps for $40 a month, no lock in contract and add-ons available. There’s a deal to save 50 per cent off for the first three months by using the code FELIX50.
Why felix claims you should choose it
“Felix mobile is Australia’s first telco brand to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and is also carbon neutral certified. Plus with a strong sustainability focus, felix also plants one tree for every month you are with them. Switch for the value, stay for the trees! felix operates on the Vodafone 4G network, covering 23 million Australians.”
ALDIMOBILE
Mobile plans, data plans, family plans and pay as you go. The $25 mobile plan offers unlimited standard calls and SMS to Australian numbers and 20 select countries. 22GB data with unlimited data rollover, and a 30 days expiry. Three-in-one SIM fits all handsets. Uses parts of the Telstra 5G, 4G and 3G network to deliver ALDImobile coverage.
Why ALDImobile claims you should choose it
“Questioning your telco plan? You’ve come to the right place. Get the data you need at a low price. Our mobile and family plans come with unlimited standard calls, SMS and unlimited data rollover on eligible recharges.”
Currently providing free calls to Israel, Palestinian territories and Afghanistan.
Keep your number or receive a new one. Auto recharge. Unlimited data rollover.
“We know you’re attached to your number so bring it along. Just tell your current service details at activation and we’ll do the rest. No lock-in contracts — with our mobile plans you have the freedom and flexibility to change plans every 30 days, depending on what lies ahead. You can also leave anytime, but we think you’ll want to stay.”
ALDImobile offers mobile plans, data plans, family plan and super packs; you can only have one of these plans or packs added to your ALDImobile service at any one time. This means you cannot have a mobile plan and a data plan at the same time. If you add a data plan to your service while you already have a plan, you will lose that plan and its inclusions and they will not be reinstated or the value refunded to you, so take care when charging to ensure you are adding the correct recharge option and check if you will lose your credits.
You can add a data top up any time you like up to a maximum of 40GB above your included data allowance at any one time. If you purchase a 1GB and or 3GB data top up, it will expire at the same time as your mobile plan, regardless of when you purchase it, although data top up may be eligible for rollover.
TPG MOBILE
Popular plans
TPG is offering 50 per cent off plan fees for the first six months, with 12GB of data, unlimited talk and text and no lock-in contracts for $10 a month for the first six months, then $20 a month.
Why TPG claims you should choose it
“You can save big when you BYO mobile and sign up to a TPG SIM-Only plan. Whether you’re a heavy data user or just need to talk and text, we’ve got a plan to suit you.
“Powered by the Vodafone 4G network, TPG mobile offers incredible value with no lock-in contracts to suit all budgets and lifestyles. If customers take up the TPG 60GB plan for $20 a month (for the first 6 months, then $40/month), they will also get to trial TPG’s 5G network for no additional charge.”
DODO
Popular plans
Dodo’s $10 SIM-only plan gives you unlimited local and national voice calls and text messages, but no data at all. If you do need data once in a while, you can add a 3GB data pack for $10 a month extra. Or you could opt for the $25 a month plan for 50GB of data for the first three months — then becoming 25GB a month. There’s data banking up to 500GB and you get a $200 international call credit.
Why Dodo claims you should choose it
Provided on the Optus 4G network.
“All SIM-only plans include unlimited calls and texts. Month-to-month plans, no excess data charges or bill shock.”
IINET
Popular plan
$15 a month for first six months, with 40GB of data and unlimited talk and text to standard Australian numbers. A bonus 80GB of data when you bundle the mobile SIM with an active iinet internet plan.
Why iiNet claims you should choose it
iiNet operates on the Vodafone network, including its 4G network. New iiNet mobile customers get 50 per cent off plan fees on all mobile SIM plans for the first six months. No lock-in contracts.
“All of our mobile plans are month to month. Plan fees are payable in advance and renewed automatically every month. Free express delivery and we will fast-track your free SIM. Get it the next business day at no extra cost in metro areas. Just pay your first month’s plan fee and complete your order before 12pm weekdays.
“We’ve extended the trial of our 5G network on our 55GB plan until further notice. Our 4G network reaches over 23 million people across Australia. Easy activation: When your new SIM card arrives, simply hop online and activate it in toolbox. If you’re switching from another mobile provider, you can keep using your old SIM until it stops working.”
TANGERINE and MORE
Sister providers operating on the Telstra network and part owned by the Commonwealth Bank.
More offers exclusive deals to CommBank customers including three months free mobile, via 4G and 5G SIM Only mobile plans.
Tangerine has a double data deal on at the moment via its SIM Only Mobile Plans
BOOST MOBILE
A youth-focused telco brand with a highly popular product that delivers 12 months of bulk data and unlimited talk and text for less than $20 a day on the Telstra network.
Its long expiry plans are currently its most popular.
This plan enables customers to purchase bulk data upfront, to use as they please over 12 months. With the $230 long expiry option customers get 170 GB of data, which works out to be about $14GB for $20 a month. It also includes unlimited talk and text to standard national numbers, and generous international calls and texts to a wide range of destinations.
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