Optus Product Usage Guides

This guide is to help you determine which Post Paid Mobile Service may best suit your needs. Please note this is a guide only and you should read the full details and terms and conditions of any plan you are considering to purchase.

Voice Usage

The below calculations are based on 2 minute standard national calls to any mobile within Australia, on a postpaid mobile plan which has an amount of included voice minutes.

How many 2 minute calls do you make to any Australian mobile within Australia?	How many Voice minutes do I need in a plan
One call every couple of days	At least 30 minutes per month
One call every day	At least 60 minutes per month
2 to 5 calls every day	Between 120 and 300 minutes per month
6 to 10 calls every day	Between 360 and 600 minutes per month

Data Usage

The tables below provide a guide to how much data you may need, depending on what you do on your mobile service. You should also keep in mind how you've previously used data services.

Web Page Browsing and/or Accessing Email (Without Attachments)

Please note that web page browsing will vary depending on the web page you visit. More text and/or pictures on a page means more data is being used to view that page. Email size will change depending on the amount of content or attachments in the email.

How often would you do this?	Data Estimation
Once every few days at most	About 50MB
Every day, but only a few web pages or email	About 50MB
I spend a lot of the time on the web each day	About 100MB

Downloading Apps

Before downloading applications you should always check the size of the app to make sure you don't exceed your included data limit.

How often would you download apps?	Data Estimation
Less than 5 per month	About 100MB
5-15 per month	About 300MB
More than 15 per month (though will depend on total number of apps)	About 400MB

Video Clips

Before viewing video clips you should always check the size of the clip to make sure you don't exceed your included data limit. The longer the video clip, the larger it will be in size.

How often would you view video clips?	Data Estimation
Once every week at most	About 100MB
Once every few days	About 200MB
A couple of clips each day	About 1GB
A lot of online video	About 2GB

This guide may help you determine which Prepaid Mobile Service may best suit your needs. The great thing about a Prepaid Mobile service is that you can enjoy life free from long-term contracts and monthly bills, but with the flexibility to get exactly what you want at a price you can afford.

Voice and SMS Usage

To determine your needs for voice calls and SMS you could start by considering how you use your service.

How I use or will use my Prepaid Mobile Phone	You could look for:
I make a lot of calls to friends and family on Optus Mobiles	A plan with unlimited voice calls to Optus mobiles, like Optus Prepaid Social or $2 Days. OR A plan with included value to make voice calls to Optus mobiles, like Crew Cap or Long Expiry Cap.
I make a lot of calls to friends and family on another network	A plan with unlimited standard national voice calls to Australian mobiles, like $2 Days. OR A plan with included minutes to make standard national voice calls to Australian mobiles, like Optus Prepaid Social.
I only make a few short calls a week (each 2 minutes or less) to either Optus or non-Optus Mobiles	A plan with included MyCredit and MyBonus to be used on standard national voice calls to any Australian mobile, like Crew Cap and Long Expiry Cap.
I make a lot of international calls	A plan with low call rates to international destinations, like Connect 4 Less. OR A plan with included minutes for standard voice calls to selected international destinations, like Optus Prepaid Social. OR A plan where you can purchase an additional International top-up to get great rates to selected destinations, like Optus Prepaid Social, Crew Cap or Long Expiry Cap.
I send a lot of texts to either Optus or non-Optus Mobiles	A plan with unlimited standard national SMS, like Optus Prepaid Social and $2 Days.
I only send texts to my friends and family on the Optus Network	A plan with unlimited standard national SMS to Optus mobiles, like Crew Cap. OR A plan with unlimited standard national SMS, like Optus Prepaid Social and $2 Days.
I only send a text every now and then to either Optus or non-Optus Mobiles	A plan with included MyCredit and MyBonus to be used on standard national SMS to any Australian mobile, like Crew Cap and Long Expiry Cap.

Optus Mobile Fair Go^TM policy applies to all unlimited offers. All of the above plans and inclusions are for use within Australia.

Data Usage

Each table provides a guide as to how much data you may need depending on what you do on your mobile service. This is a guide only. Please ensure you read the full details on any plan you are considering to confirm it? correct for your needs. You should also keep in mind how you?e previously used data services.

Web Page Browsing and/or Accessing Email (Without Attachments)

Please note that web page browsing will vary depending on the web page you visit. Email size will change depending on the amount of content and attachments in the email.

How often would you browse and/or access email?	Data Estimation
Once every few days at most	About 50MB
Every day, but only a few web pages or email	About 50MB
I spend a lot of the time on the web each day	About 100MB

Downloading Apps

Before downloading applications you should always check the size of the app to make sure you don? exceed your included data limit.

How often would you download apps?	Data Estimation
Less than 5 per month	About 100MB
5-15 per month	About 300MB
More than 15 per month (though will depend on total number of apps)	About 400MB

Video Clips

Before viewing video clips you should always check the size of the clip to make sure you don? exceed your included data limit. The longer the video clip is the larger it will be in size.

How often would you download video clips?	Data Estimation
Once every week at most	About 100MB
Once every few days	About 200MB
A couple of clips each day	About 2GB

Broadband Usage Guide

How much broadband data do I need per month?

Knowing which broadband plan to choose really depends on how you use the internet. It's not always easy to know how much data you might use every month – and all the talk of bits and bytes can get a bit confusing.

You could be spending too much on a plan with a data allowance that you simply don't need. Or you could be on a plan with too little monthly data, where your speed may be limited to 256Kbps - that's much slower than normal - if you go over your limit.

So, to help you stick within your budget, have enough data and get the best online experience, we've provided a rough guide below. We hope it helps you to better understand your needs and choose the right Optus broadband plan for you.

Check out our broadband internet plans

	2GB per month	5-10GB per month	20GB per month	50GB per month	100GB per month	500GB per month
Email
Web Surfing
Facebook
Online Gaming
Skype
YouTube
IPTV
Downloading Movies

Legend

= Yes: This activity should be fine on this plan

= Caution: You may go over your limit

= Warning: You will likely go over your limit

The data above has been sourced from whistleout.com.au. Correct as of 4/11/2013. And is to be used as a guide only.

How do I keep track of my broadband data usage?

We've got a handy usage meter in My Account to help you keep an eye on your usage. Take a look now. Log in or register for My Account.

Plus, we provide usage notifications in My Account and SMS usage alerts when you've reached 50%, 85% and 100% of your monthly data allowance.

What's the difference between the broadband data in my plan and broadband speed?

This is probably the biggest source of confusion when talking about data and usage.

You could think of the broadband data in your monthly plan - measured in Megabytes (MB) or Gigabytes (GB) - like a bucket of water.

And broadband speed - measured in Kilobits per second (Kbps) or Megabits per second (Mbps) - as the rate at which that water passes through a hose.

Lastly, Bits and Bytes aren't the same thing: 8 Bits = 1 Byte. You don't necessarily need to memorise this equation, but it helps to remember there is a difference between the two.

There are many things that can affect the internet speeds you experience, from location, network to the number of users and your equipment.

This guide may help you determine what sort of Home Phone plan you need. Before you decide on your Home Phone plan, you should decide if you require internet with your Home Phone, as this will make a difference to the Home Phone plans available to you.

Plans Designed for Under 60's

Are you bundling with Internet?	How you use the Home Phone	Plans you may want to consider
Yes I use under 120GB of Internet a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	120GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $85 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$85 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$110 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and internet Bundle or add World Saver Ultimate bolt on to any of the above
Yes I use between 120GB and 300GB of Internet a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	300GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $95 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$110 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$110 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and internet Bundle or add World Saver Ultimate bolt on to any of the above
Yes I use over 300GB a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	500GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $110 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
No	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	$22 Home Phone Plan
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$45 Home Phone Plan
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$60 Home Phone Plan
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$60 Home Phone Plan
	I make a lot of international calls	$22 Home Phone Plan plus World Saver Ultimate bolt on

Plans Designed for Over 60's

Are you bundling with Internet?	How you use the Home Phone	Plans you may want to consider
Yes I use under 10GB of Internet a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	$60 Classic Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$60 Classic Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$60 Classic Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$110 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle or any of the above with World Saver Ultimate bolt on
Yes I use between 10GB and 120GB of Internet a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	120GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $85 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$85 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$110 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Internet Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and internet Bundle or add World Saver Ultimate bolt on to any of the above
Yes I use between 120GB and 300GB of Internet a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	300GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $95 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$110 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$110 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and internet Bundle or add World Saver Ultimate bolt on to any of the above
Yes I use over 300GB a month.	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	500GB Broadband Plan + $10 Bundle Phone Plan $110 total per month
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
	I make a lot of international calls	$140 Phone and Broadband Bundle
No	I make very few calls, mainly using the phone for incoming calls or emergencies	$22 Home Phone Plan
	I make a moderate number of local and long distance calls	$30 Classic Phone Plan
	I make a moderate number of local calls and calls to mobiles	$45 or $60 Home Phone Plan
	I make a lot of calls including calls to mobiles	$60 Home Phone Plan
	I make a lot of international calls	$30 Classic Phone Plan with additional World Saver Ultimate bolt on