iPrimus eliminates mobile broadband bill shock

Adam Turner
Wednesday, 27 August 2008 11:37

IT Industry - Strategy

iPrimus' new 6GB and 12GB mobile broadband plans offer peace of mind by shaping users rater than charging excess data fees.
iPrimus Speedster plans have stolen the title of Australia's best value mobile broadband plans, offering 6GB of data for $39.95 per month, on a 24 month plan. The plan also includes a free modem Huawei E220 "soap on a rope" USB modem.

iPrimus also offers 12GB monthly plans - making it the second mobile broadband provider to break the 10GB barrier after Telstra - but the price of iPrimus' 12GB plan is yet to be announnced.

iPrimus uses the Optus 3G network (along with Vodafone), yet offers better value for money than Optus and Vodafone's $49/5GB plans. Of course with iPrimus you've got the added security of knowing your speed will be throttled if you reach your monthly limit, so there's no risk of horrendous excess data charges. Customers have the option to purchase extra data if they exceed their monthly limit.

iPrimus' new plans also compare favourabley to plans from Telstra and 3. Telstra's Bigpond and Next G offer a mere 1GB per month for $59.95, while 3 offers 7GB for $49. This leaves iPrimus with Australia's best value mobile broadband plans, charging $6.66 per GB ahead of 3's $7 per GB. 3 is also hampered by the fact its network only covers metro areas.

iPrimus' announcement is the latest blow in the mobile broadband war, with all the key players making significant announcements in the last week. Telstra slashed its mobile broadband charges by 25 per cent,  Optus unvieled pre-paid mobile broadband, 3 announced network expansion plans and Vodafone announced new plans whilst releasing a new USB modem.

In the next year or so Optus and Vodafone will almost match Telstra in terms of HSDPA coverage, as will 3 with its Telstra Next G roaming agreement. As the National Broadband Network plans become bogged down, is wireless broadband becoming a via alternative to cable and DSL plans? How do they compare? CONTINUED