
More amaysim customers will get 5G access from July 3, with the telco adding next generation connectivity to its $30, $40, and $50 recharges. All existing customers on these plans will get 5G at no extra cost.
As has become standard with more affordable 5G options, these prepaid plans will also be subject to speed caps. The $30 and $40 recharge will be capped at speeds of 100Mbps, while the $50 recharge will be capped at 150Mbps.
Here are amaysim's plans that will gain 5G next month:
amaysim will also be adding a 100Mbps speed cap to its $15 and $20 4G-only prepaid recharges.
Mobile plan speed caps are a relatively new concept, where a plan has a speed limit in addition to a download allowance. This is similar to speed tiers on the NBN.
Optus is also introducing a 150Mbps speed cap for most of its prepaid plans in July, and the same speed cap applies to all but one of Telstra's prepaid plans. Telstra network providers typically offer cheaper plans capped at 100Mbps and faster plans capped at 250Mbps. amaysim will the second Optus-powered provider to add speed capped 5G plans, following Southern Phone.
Last week, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer-Rosmarin said speed caps were being introduced because mobile plans don't make enough money. The telco isn't seeing the return on the investments it's has made on 5G, which doesn't allow it to further invest in the network. Slower speeds on more affordable plans could encourage customers to take up faster, more expensive (and higher margin) plans.
Speed is a key benefit of 5G, but 5G networks also offer more network capacity and less lag.
Looking further forward, amaysim will introduce two new 365-day long expiry plans on August 28. These include a $170 option with a 150GB allowance, and a $220 option with a 200GB allowance.
Alex Choros