Mobile

Update: Optus iPhone Pricing Details ‘Wrong’

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11:00AM June 12, 2008 | Nick Broughall

iphone optus.png

Update: About half an hour ago I received an angry phonecall from Optus about this story. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that the pricing tip I received was “wrong”. No more information was given, other than the fact that the story was incorrect.

looks like we still have a little wait before we know what we’ll be paying for the iPhone…

The biggest question on everyone’s lips now that the iPhone has been announced in Australia is how much it’s going to cost you. Well, a friendly tipster has stealthily procured those details and sent them through to Giz AU. Thanks Tipster!

So, if you’re an Optus customer, here’s what you can expect we were told:

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  • *The iPhone is only available on a 24 month contract – you can’t purchase it outright
  • *The 8GB model will cost $220, the 16GB $330
  • *Only the 16GB is available in white
  • *Optus won’t be selling accessories – they will be sold through the Apple store
  • *There will be two plans available: a $79 cap with 1GB data and $300 worth of calls; and a $99 cap with 3GB of data and $400 worth of calls
  • *Both plans include Visual Voicemail
  • *30c flagfall; 35c per 30 seconds talk, 25c SMS messages

Now, as with any tip, this isn’t 100 percent confirmed yet – I’ll be chasing up with Optus in the morning to get confirmation. But the source seems legit from my end, and the pricing all sounds about what I was expecting.

What do you guys think? Is $79 for 1GB worth of data good enough value for money for a portable internet device?

[iPhone 3G on Giz]

Comments

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  • maddogeco

    June 11, 2008 at 9:17 PM

    i cant pay more than $50 a months i like the 1GB a month i recon that about all ill use and the internation txt is cool but the total cost of that is $2226 thats a lot i think the n26 will be better value.
    but i dont think it that the iphone is as good as it could be though i want more wirelessness. wireless sync and stereo bluetooth music steaming and more space

  • Entice

    June 11, 2008 at 9:19 PM

    This is ridiculous! At least they could’ve put it on the $49 cap for free and then put a $10 option for around 1Gb of data per month.

    Optarse is screwing around with us once again, now…are they going to count uploads with the included data?

    Let’s see what Vodafone has, hopefully they will have a prepaid version.

  • Jon

    June 11, 2008 at 9:22 PM

    Great! first Telstra doesn’t get it, the only provider with metro AND rural 3G (yes i know you would pay tru the nose with the big T) and then Optus turn around and to exactly what every1 say Telstra would do, RIP EVERY1 OFF!
    im moving to the US
    Buy

  • adster

    June 11, 2008 at 9:22 PM

    Sounds pretty reasonable. Not sure how long 1GB would last though…

  • Nick

    June 11, 2008 at 9:25 PM

    I’m waiting for the Vodafone plans. I noticed they have a 5GB mobile broadband plan for $39 a month, so maybe they’ll offer more data for a cheaper rate for the iPhone?

    I wouldn’t spend $79 a month for 1GB. I guess I’ll re-assess my plans once the fine print has been released, and the Vodafone plans come out too.

    It may be that’ll I’ll just stick with my iPod Touch for the time being, and wait to see what happens with the plans

  • Sharon

    June 11, 2008 at 9:26 PM

    You were expecting such a rip off? What about a 30 dollar cap and 20 dollars for 3 GB of data? that would be a GOOD deal. This deal, if true, is ludicrously overpriced, and truly for elitists!

  • Mike

    June 11, 2008 at 9:30 PM

    I am so so pissed @ this! What a rip off… this means I will not be buying an Iphone… :(

  • JakePT

    June 11, 2008 at 9:37 PM

    I wasn’t going to post anything, but I feel I need to come in and balance out the negativity and say this is exactly what I was expecting, and what I would’ve spent.

    I’d sign up for this, but I’m waiting on Vodafone’s plans.

  • Jack

    June 11, 2008 at 9:41 PM

    The American “unlimited” is about 5 Gigs and you can’t use it for anything but browsing (no streaming videos either) or email.

  • fatfingers

    June 11, 2008 at 9:42 PM

    Hmm. I know I won’t use 50GB every month on a phone like I do at the home PC, but 3GB seems like a puny amount for that price.

    And if any Apple people are reading this – I would have gladly paid $500 for a 32GB iPhone.

  • Michael

    June 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM

    Yeah, I was excited about the iPhone until I read about the lock-in contracts, I’m with Optus atm and have been for the last three years. Seriously if someone can offer it on a cheaper or pre-paid no contract plan, they will have me as a customer.

  • mick

    June 11, 2008 at 9:49 PM

    concidering my current phone bill… ~$155/month – 45$ ph repayment $79 cap $30 data (80 fucking mb)

    (yes its telstra)

    99 for 400 of cap and 4gb of data is brilliant….but, comparatively, we are getting screwed

  • molo

    June 11, 2008 at 9:52 PM

    A rip off, i will not get an iPhone with either of those plans.
    maybe if it was $79 for unlimited data, or $79 and the phone was free. but not at these prices.
    Hopefully vodafone will provide good competition, i think their mobile plans are anyway better then optu’s

  • Jay

    June 11, 2008 at 9:53 PM

    How about no, Optus. If you’re going to charge that goddamn much then the damn phone should be free

  • Michael

    June 11, 2008 at 9:57 PM

    it is far too expensive for 1GB data @$79. I rather pay more for the phone and less for plan, and i think some people don’t talk much on their phone and do a lot of e-mail, web browsing, IM, youtubes like I do, and this plan is not fit and unfair

  • Ben Anderson

    June 11, 2008 at 9:58 PM

    Expect them to drop prices after the first rush.

    They want to milk everyone for what they’ve got first.

  • mark

    June 11, 2008 at 10:02 PM

    looks very similar to the blackberry plan they have
    http://smb.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=smallbusiness_mobile_producttypeMOB_marketSegmentbus&productpath=/smallbusiness/mobile&FP=/smallbusiness/mobile/plansandratesmobile/blackberryplans&site=smallbusiness

  • Rob V

    June 11, 2008 at 10:02 PM

    Mmm … I suspect Optus are using their friends at Gizmodo to guage consumer reaction to these unofficial/leaked plans!

    So given Optus will be reading this and wants to know what we think, I’ll tell them:

    These plans are fine, in fact good value, but only for for high-end users. I think you will be alienating the majority of the iPhone demographic (mid and low-end users) who simply cannot afford or won’t be willing to pay $79/month.

    So may i suggest:
    $49/month including $150 credit + 500MB data
    $29/month including $50 credit + 50MB data

    If these plans require a slighly higher upfront cost than so be it. Such users would rather cop this that high monthly fees for two years.

    I realise this may be pushing the realms of profitability but you need to offer at least a mid-range of some form.

  • bp

    June 11, 2008 at 10:03 PM

    Total cost of ownership looks to be $1896 for the $79 plan and $2376 for the $99.

    US total cost of ownership is AUS$1982. Really, that’s very similar.

    Personally I use less than 10MB per month on my phone as it stands, using it every day commuting. I can’t see myself using 100 times that a month even with a better phone.

  • Damo

    June 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    I can recall when Anderson ran Optus and they were actually good value. If they want to slug us $80 for the plan (Please, were not that silly to think this is closer to $70 than it is to $80 Mr Marketing) I would be expecting more bang for my buck!

    For that price the included cap should be substantially more calls or like the US unlimited data. It looks more that a little predatory when they are offering wireless BB for $39.99 (Thats $40 isn’t it Mr Marketing) for 5GB of data with a *Free USB modem on a 24 month contract. It uses the same G3/HSDPA infrastructure so why ‘screw over’ your iPhone base?

    I’d like to see the Voda offer I know if it’s good I’ll move all my Optus services over, paying out the contracts isn’t that big of an issue. It just really leaves a bad taste in the mouth when a company knows they are on a winner and just milks there installer base dry cause they can.

  • Recep

    June 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    I personally value the $79 plan at $49. Since I’m with vodafone I’m hopping for something a little more competitive..

  • Bob

    June 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    Heard Vodafone WILL sell it outright, but for $699… so looks like imported one from the US for me.

  • Ben

    June 11, 2008 at 10:08 PM

    Come on Vodafone, bring iPhone out on a $49 cap, and you have me sold.

  • SAM

    June 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM

    Everyone should sign up to that $100 deposit and then the moment they “officially” release the prices everyone get a refund! that would give them a hint…

  • Anthonyw

    June 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM

    too high for me – if they are wanting huge market penetration (which seems to be the goal) then this wont work in Oz. They need a $50 to $60 plan.

    Low call inclusions and hi data (1gb would be fine) would be my ideal for $49

    I am assuming there will also be business plans separate to this…
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