Telcos launch unlimited data plans

Two of Australia's largest telcos, Vodafone and Telstra, announced on Tuesday that they would be rolling out plans that included "endless" data.

While both plans are touted as unlimited, there is throttling of the service after the user exceeds the plans initial limit.

Telstra’s new plan is priced at $69 per month and includes 40GB of data at uncapped speeds and then a maximum speed of 1.5Mbps (still very reasonable) for the remainder of the month. Previously, Telstra would charge users $10 per extra gigabyte.

Vodaphone's offering three options, $60 for 40GB, $80 for 70GB and $100 for 120GB per month before the speed is limited to 1.5Mbps.

8 comments

 

On the surface it looks good according to my husband..but wait until you see the caveats I am told..

When you consider that the average person uses only 3GB of data a month..it may probably have more  appeal for those who are regularly on WiFi or cellular networks…you may even encounter  slower data speeds..

caveats? wonder if ruffello knows about them?

great deal especially for those who enjoy do lots of streamimg off the internet 

Devils in the detail. It's not really unlimted data cause 1.5 mbps after initial quota is used is next to useless. Can't watch netflix or any oher videos. Another con by the telcos.

You are quite right ozrog

always read the fine print

Netflix data usage breaks down as follows, according to this official support page:

300MB per hour on the lowest video quality
700MB per hour for SD video quality
3GB per hour for HD video quality
7GB per hour for UHD (4K) video quality

Movie buffs must certainly chew though their data allowances.

https://www.nbnco.com.au/blog/entertainment/how-much-data-does-streaming-video-movies-and-tv-use.html

Just checked my current ADSL provider and they offer UNLIMITED DATA plus free calls anywhere in Australia including mobiles on an NBN $80.00 per month plan at the top speed available. No modem or set-up fees.

Think I'll stick with them when I change over. Have had good service since joining them in 2001.

Hi Sophie, was interested in you saying average persons use only 3Gb of data , Is that mobile phone data? I' m not familiar with that at all  because only use prepaid for calls only. Have not got a smart phone!!However being  on an old telstra broadband plan I am allowed 200 Gb a month for $70 and only ever use 50-60 gb so never experience any slowing down at all. Average download speed is around 32 Mbps which is good enough for me. NBN not coming until next year and am quite happy to do without it because they will probably want to charge me more perhaps $80.Would be interested in hearing anyones experience of using the NBN good or bad ?

Hello Sageman..

Yes I meant 3GB of mobile data. You have a generous amount of data from Telstra..does your $70 a month include your landline and any calls?

I haven’t had any problems using the NBN..however..many people seem to..just lucky I guess...I should bite my tongue!

Hi Sophie, had to look up my last bill to remember exactly what is included! I'm on something called " Telstra Bundle Connector Scout" which is normally $80 however I've been getting a $10 discount  for a long time now. Bit of a story attached to this, but long story short it came about because as a long term customer I was on a very old package which they no longer wished to provide. They wanted me to switch bundles but guess what? It came at a higher price!  So I dug my heels in and being a cantankerous old B ,only when I have to be !, I said no way! Resulting in their offer of a discount! All local calls included and $3 capped national calls. '13' numbers are 40 cents each. Somehow I get a " Homeline Unlimited Discount " which negates any charge for " Calling Number Display" and "Message Bank" I was on a limit of 100 gb  for broadband but surprisingly out of the blue they upped it to 200 gb which I don't really need but hey I'm  not complaining. There could be better deals out there but I am unwilling to spend time looking at this stage.

Hello Sageman..

Your Telstra plan sounds great..as you say..there may be better deals out there but in my opinion..Telstra is very keen to hang on to loyal customers so I feel you are doing the right thing sticking with them..

You may know this already but.. with the NBN when there is a power outage..one is unable to use the phone..and Telstra to the best of my knowledge is the only telco that offers Priority Assistance for some customers..you may be eligible for this..here's a link..I arranged for one of my neighbours to have this last year..it gives some peace of mind..

https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/customer-service/priority-assistance

@ Sageman

Similar to my own bundle as well on Telstra. Got upgraded to 100 then 200gigs and get free calls locally etc plus cheaper international Play TV and free silent number.

I pay $99 a month included rental on home phone line as well and good speeds around 49kbps download generally. 19kbps up - not sure if that is fast or what

I've been with Telstra for 47 odd years so it sure makes a change,  I get fed up with seeing cheaper for new etc when I'm  locked in which is the norm all too often.

Thanks for that Sophie it would be useful as we use a land line from home as is included free in our broadband package Not sure if we qualify yet for priority assistance but may just be a matter of time!!

Further to Telco news I noticed that Telstra announced on 23/4 that they were giving their cable customers (and I'm one) faster speeds at no extra costs. This would mean that potentially I could go from 30mbps to 50mbps just by turning my modem off for 2 minutes and then turning it back on which reconfigures it to operate the higher speeds. Well I tried it today and the modem went into hibernation mode for around 20 minutes and I thought that I had stuffed up because I could not get any website to work! Then miraculously lights started to flash and all was well again. I then went on the ookla speed test site and yes my speed had improved to 43mbps for downloads and 5 mbps for uploads. I can hardly discern any difference yet in operation though but any improvement is welcome!

P.S

This is not a paid ad for Telstra!!!!

I believe you Sageman! Hope it keeps going well..technology is wonderful but can be a thorn in the side sometimes..

Have a nice day :)

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