Do Telstra or Optus have better plan options?

Telstra and Optus are two of Australia’s largest internet service providers, but both tend towards the premium end of the price spectrum. When you spend extra, you get benefits like more reliable top speeds. However, if you want to lose the highest price in your internet plan, who should you choose?

Speeds

Both Telstra and Optus have recently increased their reported evening speeds, making them some of the fastest providers in the market.

Telstra reports allegedly congestion-free evening speeds in relation to speed levels NBN 100, NBN 50 and NBN 25 – you can count on reaching the maximum potential of the speed level at any time of the day.

Optus’ plans are also faster than they used to be, but slightly slower than what Telstra is promoting. However, 90Mbps is still great for an NBN 100 plan, making Optus the second fastest major provider (alongside Superloop and SpinTel, both of which also report 90Mbps).

Telstra and Optus now also offer NBN 1000 and NBN 250 plans. The couple reports identical evening speeds on both planes, which is pretty standard for the entire telecommunications industry at the time.

Contracts and setup fees

Both Telstra and Optus plans are sold without a contract, but set-up fees apply.

While Telstra typically charges a connection fee of $ 99 to new customers, it is currently waived when you sign up online. Optus plans also have an entry fee of $ 99.

All of Telstra’s plans include a second generation smart modem valued at $ 216. However, you have to pay off the pro-rata value of your modem if you cancel your tariff with Telstra within the first 24 months. This equates to $ 9 per month in your tenure. So if you left halfway through your tenure, you’d expect a $ 108 redemption fee.

Optus does a similar thing with its Ultra WiFi Modem. The modem is valued at $ 252 and you will have to pay a prorated amount if you leave within the first three years. This equates to $ 7 per month in your tenure. If you left halfway, look for $ 126 to leave.

NBN 50 plans

When it comes to NBN 50 plans, Optus plans start at $ 75 per month while Telstra plans start at $ 90.

Spending an additional $ 4 per month with Optus adds a Fetch mini set top box, while an additional $ 15 per month adds a Fetch TV subscription with a Mighty set top box and connected to a Premium Channel Pack. On the other hand, with Telstra, you get a Telstra TV set-top box for an additional $ 10 per month.

NBN 100 plans

Both Telstra and Optus are currently discounting NBN 100 plans. While Optus NBN 100 plans typically start at $ 95 per month, currently with a Fetch Mini you can get a $ 10 per month discount off its $ 99 plan for your first 12 months. That brings it to $ 89 a month. This discount also applies to Optus’ Fetch Mighty plan, which is $ 100 per month for your first year.

Telstra, on the other hand, is offering a $ 20 per month discount on its NBN 100 plan, which will drop to $ 90 per month for your first year. After that, you’ll pay $ 110 per month.

NBN 250 plans

Telstra and Optus now both offer NBN 250 plans. Once again, Optus is cheaper: you’re looking at $ 130 a month. With Telstra, you pay $ 140.

All FTTP-NBN connections and 70% of the HFC connections can get an NBN 250 plan. All HFC connections should be able to receive an NBN 250 plan by June next year.

NBN 1000 plans

The situation is similar with NBN 1000 plans. You pay $ 150 per month for Optus or $ 180 per month for Telstra.

All FTTP-NBN connections and 7% of the HFC connections can get an NBN 1000 plan.

Extras

Given that Telstra and Optus’ NBN plans are both on the premium end of the price spectrum, it’s natural to expect some benefits.

To start off, both offer bundled modems with 4G backup in case your NBN connection goes down. If a failure occurs, each modem will be broadcast on a 4G network, although it is limited to a speed of 12 Mbps.

Big T customers also get access to the Telstra Plus Discount Program. Telstra Plus members get:

• $ 12.50 standard movie tickets for Event and BCC theaters. There is a $ 3 surcharge after 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Holidays.
• Free popcorn and a major combo upgrade when you book a movie ticket through Telstra
• Discounted tickets for selected sporting events
• Presale tickets for selected concerts and events (aww, do you remember these?)

You need to register with Telstra Plus to receive these offers.

When you sign up for Telstra Plus, earn 10 points for every dollar you spend on your monthly bill on a frequent flyer-style rewards program. You can spend these points on selected gadgets or use them to get discounts on devices.

Optus has its own perk program, simply called Optus Perks. The benefits include:

• Discounted movie tickets to Hoyts theaters from USD 12.50 for an adult ticket or USD 27 for LUX for any session on any day (including Saturday night)
• Discounted tickets to “3,000+ Experiences” in Australia and New Zealand, including activities like jet boating and hot air ballooning when everyone is ready to go.
• Presale tickets for concerts and sporting events, if available.

Optus NBN customers also receive a free Optus Sports subscription.

What about the rest?

If neither Telstra nor Optus seem right to you, here’s how their NBN 50 plans hold up against the competition:

Alex Choros is Managing Editor at WhistleOut, Australia’s telephone and internet comparison website.

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