If you’re a Telstra customer, brace yourself: your next phone or internet bill could be a little steeper.
Australia’s largest telco has announced a fresh round of price hikes, meaning millions of Aussies will soon be paying more for their mobile and NBN services.
But before you start hunting for your old landline or dusting off the dial-up modem, let’s break down what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what it means for you.
What’s changing and who’s affected?
Telstra is increasing the prices on a range of its postpaid mobile, mobile data, and home internet plans. For most customers, this means an extra $3 to $5 per month.
Specifically, the standard postpaid mobile plan will jump from $65 to $70 a month. NBN25 and NBN50 plans are going up by $4 each, while the NBN100 plan will rise by $3.
But it’s not all bad news. Some of Telstra’s lowest-cost mobile and NBN plans, as well as its premium offerings, will stay the same or even drop in price.
For example, the high-speed NBN250 plan will be $1 cheaper per month, and the ultra-fast NBN1000 plan will drop by a hefty $11 per month.
Pre-paid mobile plans are untouched, so if you’re on one of those, you can breathe easy (for now).
Why is Telstra raising prices?
According to Telstra’s consumer group executive Brad Whitcomb, these changes are all about investing in the future.
The company says it needs to pour more money into its network to improve performance, reliability, and security, and to keep local support available for customers.
In fact, Telstra recently announced an $800 million investment in its mobile network, aiming to keep pace with the ever-growing demand for data and connectivity.
Telstra’s CEO, Vicki Brady, highlighted that the company has seen strong growth, with 119,000 new mobile customers and a 3.1 per cent increase in mobile services revenue in the last half-year alone.
In other words, more people are choosing Telstra, and the company wants to make sure its network can handle the load.
How does Telstra compare to the competition?
The timing of this price hike is interesting, coming just as rival telco Vodafone (owned by TPG Telecom) has called on the ACCC to investigate Telstra’s coverage claims.
Vodafone alleges that Telstra has been overstating the reach of its mobile network by as much as 40 per cent, potentially misleading customers and making unfair comparisons with other providers.
Telstra has strongly denied these accusations, calling them ‘completely untrue.’ The ACCC is now looking into the matter, but it’s worth noting that there’s currently no standardised way for telcos to present coverage maps, which can make it tricky for consumers to compare apples with apples.
What can you do if you’re unhappy with the price rise?
If you’re feeling the pinch, you’re not alone. Price hikes are never welcome, especially when the cost of living is already on the rise. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Review your plan: Are you paying for more data or speed than you actually use? Downgrading to a lower-tier plan could save you money.
- Shop around: Don’t be afraid to compare other providers’ offerings. Smaller telcos often use the same networks as the big players but at lower prices.
- Ask for a better deal: Sometimes, simply calling your provider and asking for a discount or a special offer can yield surprising results.
- Consider bundling: If you have multiple services (like mobile and internet) with the same provider, bundling them together can sometimes unlock savings.
The bigger picture: Are price hikes the new normal?
Telstra isn’t alone in raising prices. As demand for faster, more reliable internet and mobile services grows, and as telcos invest in new technologies like 5G and fibre upgrades, it’s likely we’ll see more price adjustments across the industry.
The key is to stay informed, regularly review your options, and make sure you’re getting value for money.
Have your say!
Are you a Telstra customer affected by these changes? Have you considered switching providers, or do you think the investment in better service is worth the extra cost? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share your comments below and join the conversation with other YourLifeChoices members.
And if you’ve got a tip for saving on your phone or internet bill, don’t keep it to yourself—let us know!
Also read: Vodafone alleges rival Telstra has ‘misled’ customers about mobile coverage
When does it ever stop ,,, Rising prices I mean ,,, are we just cash cows for the business leaders .
I am considering changing from TELSTRA for the 1st time in about 49 years. Their customer service was 2nd to none, but now it has deteriorated so much that I am thinking of changing. They have employed immigrants that I have difficulty understanding, one technical support person even hung up the phone when my wife said that she would get me, and I never heard from them again to rectify a problem when my emails that I was sending were not received. I still have problems with Telstra on my mobile when it will not connect to their server in Midland, Western Australia.
I tried their basic internet plan for $65 a month with 50,000 mb, fine until you go over the limit warned that the system will slow down but there is slow and then there is slow but their slow was disgusting to the point that the system is basically unusable. Very disappointing that they have drop to this slovenly level.
I feel the same way Frank. been with them 60 years, no loyalty, they don’t care if you go somewhere else, negotiate for a better deal only good for 6 months, depends who you get with tech support, yes many are so hard to understand.
I become increasingly frustrated with Telstra that they fail to adjust their internet charge for the number of people living in the home. It is not fair that a single person household eg pensioner who would mostly use low amounts of data in a given month pays same as a 4,5,6 people living in the same home and all are heavy users of streaming services, gaming etc.
Telstra is my only service provider that does not offer a pensioner discount.