Optus today refreshed its range of phone plans, upping both data allowances and prices. Where Optus' previous range of Choice plans started at $39 per month with 10GB, the new plans start at $45 per month with 20GB.
This trend holds true right across Optus' entire plan family. Every plan is $6 per month more expensive than its predecessor, but includes extra data. At the top-end, you're looking at $85 per month for 240GB, up from $79 per month with 120GB.
Here is the full range of new Optus Choice plans:
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#1
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Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
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#2
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Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$69.00/mth
Min. cost $69
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#3
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Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$70.00/mth
Min. cost $70
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#4
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Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$90.00/mth
Min. cost $90
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These can be paired with any handset ranged by Optus, or taken up SIM-only basis.
Every plan includes an Optus Sport subscription (which previously wasn't part of Optus' entry-level plan), but you'll need to spend at least $55 per month to get international calls. Every Optus Choice plan from $55 per month and up includes unlimited standard international talk and text to 35 countries.
While Optus' previous high-end plans included a roaming data allowance for travelling overseas, this has been removed from the new generation. Instead, customers will pay $10 per day for 1GB of data when in Zone 1 countries. Zone 1 is predominantly made up of Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.
Optus also no longer allows customers to customise their plans. Previously you were able to choose your own data allowance, roaming data allowance, and international call allowance. This is no longer the case.
The Optus One plan, Optus' top-tier plan with 500GB of data and network priority, has also been discontinued. Customers currently on the Optus One plan won't be impacted by this change.
Optus' plan refresh isn't dissimilar to Telstra's in the middle of last year, where Big T also increased plan prices but boosted data allowances at the same time. However, Telstra ruffled a few feathers by saying over four million customers would be migrated over to the new plans, albeit with a credit for the difference in price for the first year for those manually made the change.
On the other hand, we understand that Optus has no intention to move customers from their existing plans. Customers can stay on their current Optus plan unless they want to purchase a new device, in which case they'll need to pick from one of the new plans.
Optus' new plans do however include the following clause in the critical information summary:
"We may make changes to your plan, options and add-ons. This could include moving you to a new plan, option or add-on which may cost more. If we increase your plan price or add-on fees (additional data, international talk & text or roaming), decrease your data inclusion or move you to a new plan, we will give you at least 30 days’ notice of these changes."
Optus' decision to increase phone plan prices comes at a time where many providers are offering more data for less and less money. Optus MVNO Circles.Life, for example, is offering 100GB of data for $30 per month for a customer's first year, after which the price rises to $38 per month. Here is a snapshot of postpaid plans on the Optus network with at least 20GB:
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#1
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SpinTel
Editor's Pick
$23 Mobile Plan
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
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#2
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Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
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#3
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Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
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While Optus MVNOs offer better data-for-dollar in many cases, Optus does however have a few perks such as endless data, Optus Sport, and discounted movie tickets that aren't offered by smaller providers powered by its network. In addition, Optus MVNOs do not offer phones on a plan.
Today marks the first time Optus has updated its core phone plans since November 2019.
Alex Choros
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