Optus launches iPhone 3G prices in full at last - good value?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 03 July 2008 11:31

Your IT - Mobility

Ok, so there are still some more plans to choose from, the Optus 'Yes' iPhone plans.

The main differences are cheaper per second call rates, but a range of inclusion choices you'll see in the next three paragraphs, but much lower included call rates.

These plans all let you choose between MyTime, Yes Free Text, Yes Time or Yes Text and Talk, with the details here (scroll down to find the details).

You also get the "Rollover" option which lets you roll unused call credits and the end of the month into the next month, although this includes data.

Something called Roll back lets you redce the length of your 24 month contract, there's an international call cap and also free 5 minute voice calls to GSM mobiles on the same account.

In addition, you are able to use Optus Wi-Fi hotspots free of charge if you fid yourself in a location that has one.

Here we also have the similar dollar amounts for each plan as the iPhone cap plans on page 3 - the $19 'YES' plan, $29, $39, $49, $59, $79, $99 and $149.

The differences are that there is a $29 and $39 plan, and the $89 and $179 plans are not in the 'YES' plans without caps.

So, here we go, take a deep breath!

The $19 plan gives you 100MB data, $14 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 46c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

The 8GB iPhone is $49 per month for 12 months or $19 per month for 24 months, while the 16GB iPhone is $59 per month for 12 month or $24 per month for 24 months.

The $29 plan gives you 250MB data, $24 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 43c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

The 8GB iPhone is $42 per month for 12 months or $12 per month for 24 months, while the 16GB iPhone is $52 per month for 12 month or $17 per month for 24 months.

The $39 plan gives you 500MB data, $34 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 33c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

The 8GB iPhone is $37 per month for 12 months or $7 per month for 24 months, while the 16GB iPhone is $47 per month for 12 month or $12 per month for 24 months.

The $49 cap plan gives you 500MB data, $44 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 29c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

8GB iPhone is $37pm / 12 months, $7pm / 24 months. 16GB is $47pm or $12pm.

The $59 cap plan gives you 700MB data, $54 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 24c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

8GB iPhone is $32pm / 12 months, $2pm / 24 months. 16GB is $42pm or $7pm.

The $79 cap plan gives you with 700MB data, $74 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 21c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

8GB iPhone is $32pm or $0 pm, 16GB is $37pm or $2pm.

The $99 cap plan gives you with 1GB data, $94 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 19c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

8GB iPhone is $23 pm or $0 pm, 16GB is $33 pm or $0 pm.

The $149 cap plan gives you with 1GB data, $144 of calls, text and more, with calls charged at 19c per 30 seconds, a 25c flagfall and SMS messages charged at 25c each.

8GB and 16GB per month prices are the same as the $99 cap.

Well, I almost feel exhausted after all of that. To see how good the value truly is in an Australian context, we really need the breakdown of pricing from Vodafone and Telstra.

And finally, I’m glad to see there are ways to extend your cap, make free calls to certain people, take advantage of ‘yes’ time and other options. But it’s a shame the caps and all the options can’t be simplified further.

Now we just need to wait and see what Vodafone and Telstra decide to offer!