Competition for the right to sell you a SIM card can sometimes be a bit slow, and other times it can really heat up. Today, it’s white hot. Two of Australia’s largest mobile carriers – Optus and Vodafone – are both offering very similar deals with 15GB of included monthly data for only $50 per month. That’s a good deal however you slice it. In comparison, Telstra’s closet deal offers a paltry 7GB of data for an admittedly slightly lower $40.
Optus
So what are Optus offering? You are getting a $50 plan with unlimited national talk and texts, up to 500 minutes of select international calls, unlimited free music streaming from Google Play, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Spotify (at a capped bit rate) and the 15GB of monthly data. To qualify you can be either a new or contracting customer and you’ll have to sign up for 12 months. Data overages are costed at $10 per GB or part there of.
Vodafone
In Vodafone’s corner, they are offering a $50 plan with infinite (unlimited) national talk and texts and the 15GB of Data. If you’re a student you’ll get an additional 10% off, making $45 per months for 15GB of data. You’ll also receive unlimited data for your first month. For those who travel internationally Vodafone’s $5 Red roaming is also pretty good and well worth considering. To qualify, you have to be a new or existing customer (so, basically anyone) and sign up for 12 months. Data overages are costed at $10 per GB or part there of.
Both deals are excellent value, and depending on your specific circumstance, you may be more inclined to go one way or the other. It’s a shame that Telstra don’t seem interested in offering this sort of value. The value proposition between all 3 carriers has been fairly similar over the past few years, however, if Optus and Vodafone keep deals like this on offer without Telstra offering similar plans, the big T just won’t be in the running for those looking for the best value networks.
Let us know if you’d jump ship for one of these deals and why.
