Vividwireless, Australia’s first 4G only mobile broadband company, has announced that it is shutting its services in March 2019, with customers migrating over to Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (aka Optus) from April 2019.
VividWireless was formerly owned by the Seven Network before being snapped up by Optus back in 2012. Optus also purchased Unwired, the fixed wireless company which they decided to shut down in February 2013.
Vividwireless currently delivers their 4G broadband services through the Optus 4G Plus network, but it’s the end of the road for VividWireless users with Optus deciding to close the Vividwireless business and its services, with operations halting from April 2019.
Customers on VividWireless plans will still receive service after this time, however all wireless home internet services will be provided under the Optus Brand from next year.
Any existing customers with Vividwireless will be able to migrate over on their current plans. Plans from VividWireless included an $80 for 200GB data, or their $90 plan which included unlimited data. These 2 plans will still be active once customers migrate over to Optus from 1 April next year. However any new customers will not be able to sign up for these 2 plans or buy the 4G home wireless modems from the Vividwireless website or retail stores effective 3rd December 2018.
It is also important to note, that if your current Vividwireless plan was previously on a fixed term agreement, once you agree to migrate over to Optus, your plan will become month to month instead. Also if you are paying your bill via direct debit, users will be required to provide your direct debit details to Optus via Optus MyAccount after your service is transferred.
Any new customers looking for a wireless 4G service (so not NBN), can still apply for a new service through the Optus website and your local Optus Stores, though the plans are much lower in included data which you can see below:
It is unclear whether the modem can be network unlocked, with enquiries to the dedicated Vividwireless support team, stating to Ausdroid that network unlocking may not be possible and if so, there is still no guarantee they will work on another telco’s network.
Vividwireless has put together a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) through the Vivid website which you can view here. Alternatively, Vividwireless customers can contact the dedicated support team on 1300 047 003 between Monday to Friday 9am-11pm with Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays from 9am-10pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time.)
It is important to stress that there is no change happening immediately to existing customers, only new customer have to sign up through the Optus website here.
The news of the closure came on the same day that Optus launched its second instalment of Optus’ network campaign which equates bad mobile coverage with a jail sentence, telling customers: “If it’s not right, walk away.” You can watch the second instalment video promotion below or you can read the full press release here.
Do you have a Vividwireless service? We would like to hear your thoughts about the closure and if you would consider migrating over to Optus or not in the comments below.
