Optus today unveiled new plans and pricing for its cable broadband and dial up internet products.
Highlights include broadband price reductions of more than $30 a month, huge increases in broadband data allowances, a new plan for broadband first timers and price reductions for dial up customers.
"We are giving our customers more data for their dollar and even better value," said Martin Dalgleish, Managing Director, Optus Consumer and Multimedia.
"OptusNet cable and dial-up are constantly evolving to meet the demands of customers. We expect our more than 650,000 internet customers will be delighted with this latest round of changes.
"We have significantly altered our OptusNet cable 6GB plan - doubling the data allowance and reducing monthly subscription from $99.95 to $69.95.*
"Customers on our most popular 3GB plan will have their data allowance increased by four times at no additional cost. Our 15GB plan will be reduced by $130 and have an extra 5GBs added," Mr Dalgleish said.
"Existing customers will be automatically migrated to the new plans on 1 March with no change to their existing contract terms. New customers require only a 12 month commitment."
Mr Dalgleish said with the new Starter 300MB plan, customers can experience lightning fast internet for $49.95 per month.*
"We expect the Starter plan to be very popular with people wishing to switch from dial up to broadband. For a few dollars more than dial up, customers can get 300MB which is double the average monthly downloads used by our dial up customer base."
"Optus continues to lead the broadband market with simple and transparent plans. We do not charge for excess downloads, so our flat rate plans give price certainty. We do not include uploads as part of the customer's data usage," Mr Dalgleish said.
"The good news is not limited to broadband with OptusNet dial up customers also better off.
Monthly fees for the most popular dial up plans will by reduced by $3.50, the new Unlimited dial up plan will be repriced to just $26.45 a month and customers on the NetRollover 20 plan will get 50 per cent more data at no extra cost.
"With our fast and reliable network and superior internet pricing and plans we expect Optus to continue to gain marketshare."
Mr Dalgleish said pricing and plans for OptusNet DSL would be disclosed in March 2004.
*Bundled pricing is quoted throughout.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES - effective 1 March 2004
OptusNet Cable
| Current Plans | Current Prices | New Plans | New Bundled Prices | CHANGE |
| 'yes' Starter 300MB | $49.95 | • NEW PLAN | ||
| Lite 550MB | $54.95 | 'yes' Lite 1GB | $54.95 | • 450MB more data for no extra cost |
| Standard 3GB | $69.95 | 'yes' Unlimited* | $69.95 | • Four times the data allowance at no extra cost |
| Pro 6GB | $99.95 | 'yes' Unlimited* | $69.95 | • $30 reduction in monthly fee • A doubled data allowance |
| Ultimate 15GB | $239.95 | 'yes' Unlimited Pro** | $109.95 | • $130 reduction in monthly fee • Bigger data allowance |
*Unlimited downloads. Speed limited after 12GB to a data speed between 20kbps and 28.8 kbps.
**Unlimited downloads. Speed limited after 20GB to a data speed between 20kbps and 28.8 kbps.
OptusNet dial up
| Current Plans | Current Prices | New Plans | New Prices | CHANGE |
| Choices NetRollover 20 | $17.95 | 'yes' NetRollover 30 | $17.95 | • 10 hours extra hours a month for FREE |
| Choices NetRollover 120 | $24.95 | 'yes' NetRollover 120 | $21.45 | • Price reduction • Save $3.50 a month |
| Choices NetAllHours 400Mb | $24.95 | 'yes' NetAllHours 400Mb | $21.45 | • Save $3.50 a month |
| Choices NetAllHours Unlimited | $29.95 | 'yes' NetAllHours Unlimited | $26.45 | • New plan plus price reduction • Save $3.50 a month |
For more information:
Melissa Favero
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5030