The cheapest plan, $35/month, includes just 5MB of data and $25 of calls. It’s not until $119/month that the data allowances hit more than 200MB. On that plan you get 1GB of data, but still just $25 of calls. The telco also slogs you $279 upfront for the 8GB handset and $399 for the 16GB unit.

There’s no fine print, and I suppose the pricing could become competitive if calls are 1c/minute. Telstra’s telling journos full pricing won’t be available until tomorrow.

Here’s hoping the information’s false – though that hasn’t worked for us recently.

When they posted pretty poor plans for a short while yesterday, we hoped it was a mistake.

We’re sorely disappointed. The plans have been resurrected today and consumers aren’t the winner: Optus is.
The only improvement from yesterday’s short-lived leak is the option to buy handsets over 24 months for about the same price as an upfront payment. Otherwise their pricing has us camping outside Optus World at midnight.

Assuming call rates are similar to Voda’s existing cap plans (40c per 30 secs plus 30c flagfall on a mid-range cap), Optus’s offering kills them. For $59/month, Optus gives $350 of credit and 500MB of data. For ten bucks a month more, Vodafone offers half the data and $310 of credit. Optus’s flagfall is 10c more expensive than Voda’s, but otherwise it’s like-for-like.

On those plans over 24 months, Optus will stings you $2/month for the 8GB handset versus $7.88/month on Voda.

Optus also wins on more expensive plans. If you’re after $1200 of credit and 1GB of data, Optus charges $149/month versus Voda’s $169. Optus will give you the 16GB handset if you sign up to 24 months, while Vodafone asks for another $89.

Can anyone see any redeeming features in Voda’s offering? Here’s hoping Telstra bring us something better … if they ever release the fine print.

Thanks Garth!

Now the election’s done and dusted (phew!), it’s back to the gadgetfest:

The Kindle – tested where it matters
How does it work on the throne?

Rock Band: PC edition
The PS3 kit’s almost plug and play

Newgen modems take on fibre
Testing starts on 160/120Mbps cable boxes

Plus:
Carphones have *never* been this big
What was playing on this bank robber’s iPod?
Giz US continues its post-Thanksgiving bargain hunt

Gizmodo Australia’s on the hunt for a new editor. If you think you fit the bill, get in touch now.  This is a full-time Sydney-based role.

(PS – SB’s off sick today, but the regular US feed is streaming through.)