Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 21 July 2008 19:22
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 4
The Optus page that details the “yes timeless” plans even
advises that you can call a “Store Locator” number on 133 966. If you
call that number from your shiny new “yes timeless” plan you’ll be
charged an extra fee on top of your “yes timeless” cap.
Given the fact that calling most companies these
days involves either a 13 or 1800 number, whether it be to book a taxi,
order a pizza, call the NRMA or other roadside assistance number, call
your airline or other company, or make one of those dubious “customer
service” call centre calls that leave you on hold for tens of minutes
at a time, you’re practically guaranteed to ALWAYS end up paying more
than the amount you signed up for.
It’s a double blow because Optus’ “Cap” plans include 13 and 1800
numbers as part of the cap, so those on “cap” plans that upgrade to the
“yes” timeless plan will be caught out.
According to an interview with an Optus spokesperson at
APC Magazine,
13 and 1800 numbers only make up 4% of call volume. So, Optus, why are
you nickel and diming your customers by excluding 13 and 1800 numbers
if you say people don't make many of those calls?
They must add up to quite a lot, despite what Optus claims. A lot of
consumers paying extra for 13 and 1800 calls on the “yes” timeless
plans equals a lot of extra “surprise” charges that Optus will be
collecting on.
Clearly, it’s the price you’ll be paying to go on a “timeless,
unlimited” plan, but it’s a tremendous shame because it devalues the
“timeless, unlimited” nature of the plans, and unless you never order a
pizza, or call a taxi or use 13 or 1800 numbers for any reason, you
will find these charges on your bill, and they will add up.
They're a good reason to hang onto your landline for precisely these
kinds of calls, even though you have to pay some kind of line rental to
do it. If you're on a VoIP plan instead, make sure whatever VoIP plan
you're on charges for 13 and 1800 numbers at flat rates.
Or simply put up with the fact you will pay to make these calls on your
"yes timeless" plan. Alternatively try to find a local call number for
the companies that use 13 and 1800 numbers so you DON'T have to pay for
these calls - sadly not every company gives you that option.
Onwards: the terms and conditions make specific mention that the plans
are subject to the Optus Fair Go Policy. If you take a look at that
document,
in Word format, you’ll see that while it makes no specific reference to
the “yes timeless” plans, it does set out specific limits to the number
of minutes you have for voice calls, the number of minutes you have for
video calls and the number of text messages you can send.
This document shows that use of more than 2000 minutes of calls per
month goes against the “Fair Go Policy”. That’s approximately 33.3
hours per month. Multiply that by 12 months and divide it by 365 days,
and you get approximately 1.09 hours per day that you can make outgoing
calls before reaching the 2000 minute limit.
So... there is a limit! If you suddenly think you can make endless
calls, you can’t. 1.09 hours is approximately 11 x 6 minute calls a day
that you make. Or around 33 x 2 minute calls. Or approximately two 33
minute calls. Around 7 ten minute calls. Per day.
I grant that all day every day that’s a lot of calls, but if you go
over the limit, you can expect a call from Optus asking you to make
fewer calls on your “unlimited, timeless” plan.
What about video calls, SMS messages, MMS messages and more? Please read on to page 3.
