Optus reveals iPhone 3G S pricing, tethering free with Net pack
- 22 June, 2009 10:15
- Comments 11
Telco Optus has announced its plan pricing for the new iPhone 3G S, which includes a free handset with some 24-month contracts. Free tethering, however, comes with a catch.
Optus will give away an 8GB (iPhone 3G), 16GB or 32GB iPhone 3G S on its $99 'yes' timeless plans when combined with its $14.99 Mobile Internet Pack.
A free iPhone is also available with the $129 per month plan.
For lesser value plans, a free iPhone 3G 8GB is available with the $59 and $79 iPhone Plans.
As as sweetener, Optus will give away up to $100 bonus credit for online purchases. The plans are active as of June 26, 2009.
Handset pricing for 12 month contracts range from $21 per month to $76 per month depending on the value of the plan and iPhone capacity.
See Optus' Web site for detailed pricing and plan information.
Tethering available, but restricted
With iPhone OS 3.0 adding an Internet tethering application, Optus will allow its subscribers to use an iPhone 3G as a modem and connect a PC to the Internet within its 3G network area, but it won't be part of the standard plan data allowance.
Customers will need to purchase “iPhone as Modem” access for $9.99 to use the data included in an iPhone 3G plan to do thethering.
However, if subscribers purchase a $9.99 “Mobile Internet Pack” they will be able to use tethering for free as a “limited time offer”.
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Comments
HummerBoy
They have no iDea on iPhone
Their website is ambiguous as to whether it applies to the currently subscribed Internet plan or if you have to add another $9.99 plan on top of what you already have. Seems silly to add another plan onto my current $14.99 plan. Their techs can't enable it until their management figures it out.
I'm getting it
So, I pay for my data twice, plus pay for the privilege of paying for it?
Anonymous
tethering
You dont need to pay twice.
Search the web as I dont think it is appropriate to post a link here but you can enable tethering WITH YOUR CURRENT data plan.
Optus is charging users who dont know better becuase they can. Essentially double dipping.
DONT GET SUCKED IN.
Dave Jonkers
Pay for iPhone 3G S Upfront, without a Plan
Does anybody know if the iPhone can be bought up front without being tied to a plan, and if so, what is the pricing for a 32GB model
Anonymous
Anti Competitive Laws
I understand that Optus' charge to use the iPhone as a modem is illegal! The ACCC should investigate this practice as anit-competitive behaviour.
Basically, a company cannot single out a product or service for special fees or treatment.
How does this relate to iPhone tethering? I can use any Windows Mobile device (e.g. HTC) as a modem and Optus doesn't charge any additional fees, only for the data that passes through the device. Bring in the iPhone and now Optus has an ability to charge extra fees and chooses to do so thus putting at a disadvantage any person that has purchased an iPhone over a Windows Mobile device.
Optus should be made to treat all customers alike regardless of the handset that has been chosen!
Duncan Maitland
Not anti-competitive
Optus has special iPhone plans that are different from plans for other handsets (eg. my plan is not a "Cap 79" plan, it is a "iPhone Cap 79" plan) - so you basically agreed to be treated differently from users of other handsets anyway.
The new post-3.0 Terms and Conditions state that included data is not available when used as a tethered modem (unless you have selected iPhone as Modem option). Whether the pre-3.0 T&Cs said a similar thing I don't know, I will have to dig up my contract.
If the pre-3.0 terms do have wording denying the use of included data, then Optus is within its rights to introduce the additional iPhone as Modem fee to those customers. If you use it as a tethered modem anyway, then you would be in breach so be careful before you do.
If there is no such wording in pre-3.0 terms, if that is your contract, then go for your life.
Turnz
Optus - rip off
OK, so I am on a iPhone $79 Cap (Unlimited Text). Optus wants to charge me an extra $9.99 a month for the privilege of using the iPhone as a modem. At the moment I use maybe 50mb a month out of my 700mb quota. I don't want to pay more and won't need anymore data for my internet needs.
Virgin offers the tethering for free once you upgrade to OS3. Why can't Optus?
Telco's have once again shown that they don't think much of their customers. Being in the IT field, I will investigate this further and see if there is a work-around with 3rd party software etc.
Anonymous
You can download the mobile config file from a number of websites,(just google tethering) email it to ur iphone and run it. this will enable tethering without ur provider being any the wiser. Then go use that 700mb :o) I have... Enjoy
BTW you have to choose your provider , each file is different.
Turnz
http://tetherme.lstoll.net/
W
http://tetherme.lstoll.net/
Works a treat!
keri
these guys better be telling the truth cause if their not i will spread rumers about them doing the wrong thing but if they happen to be telling the truth i will convince more people to go on this web site so far i think your lying but i still don't know so can you please tell the truth $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
keri
i really want an i phone 3g that cost at lest 45$! & optus some times give lys to people & all u other guys who writed i think u r proberly trying to b rude!*******
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