ACCC data shows mobile plans have become more expensive

One of the nation’s top consumer watchdogs has revealed major telco providers are slapping Australian with higher fees and plan payments.

Major telco companies are slapping Australians with higher fees and plans, with some providers pushing the price up by nearly $40 a month.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has unveiled new research indicating Telstra, Vodafone and Optus have all inflated the cost of plans since July last year.

All three providers make up the bulk of Australia’s retail mobile phone market.

ACCC data shows Telstra, Vodafone and Optus have all increased mobile prices. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

ACCC chair Rod Sims said the price hike showed providers held no concern of losing customers to rivals due to the lack of competition within the market.

“The behaviour of the three big telcos would suggest they are not concerned about losing customers to rivals,” Mr Sims said.

“Our analysis shows that consumers will now be left paying significantly more for a range of mobile phone plans at Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.”

In the past 12 months, Telstra has increased its postpaid phone plane between $5 and $15 a month, while prepaid services offered by the telco have jumped by up to 50 per cent.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims said there was a lack of competition within the market. Picture: Jonathan Ng

All Optus postpaid plans over the period have been increased by $6, and plans offered by Vodafone have gone up between $5 and $40 a month.

Vodafone’s price jump comes after its merger with TPG that was originally opposed by the ACCC over fears it would tighten the telecommunications market and lead to poorer outcomes for customers in the form of higher fees.

“The ACCC opposed the merger of TPG and Vodafone because we were concerned it would lead to higher mobile prices and result in three similar providers with little incentive to compete strongly,” Mr Sims said.

Optus has increased it postpaid plans by $6 a month. Picture: Luis Ascui/ AAP

“When markets end up with a smaller group of large look-alike players with stable positions, competition is muted and consumers pay more.”

Mr Sims also noted customers should be shopping around for the best deals and look at benefits such as the amount of data offered.

Originally published as ACCC data shows mobile plans have become more expensive