Optus prepaid broadband data robbery

By Joseph Hanlon on 18 August 2008

Whatever happened to charging us for the data we use?

Optus has launched a new prepaid option for its wireless broadband service, but with the unusual proviso that the data used will be charged in 10MB increments.

This means that if you log on and check your email then immediately log off you will have 10MB deducted from your allocation regardless of the fact you will have downloaded significantly less than this amount.

Confusingly, Optus will charge the first 30MB used each day at 10MB against your remaining data allocation. Thereafter all data used is charged in 10MB blocks.

A prepaid option is an excellent idea and will appeal to many people who don't want to be tied into a lengthy contract period for fixed-line or wireless internet usage. However, while Optus uses this billing system it is conceivable that customers could spend all of their pre-purchased data credit while not actually accessing anywhere near that much data.

Prices for the prepaid service start from AU$30 for 2GB of downloads with a 30-day expiry and include a range of plans with AU$100 vouchers being the most expensive. Prepaid broadband vouchers are available through a similar list of vendors you can expect to buy prepaid mobile credit from including Video Ezy, 7-Eleven, Woolworths and Coles.

Optus is selling a prepaid starter pack for AU$199 featuring a USB modem, a SIM card and 2GB of included data. Full pricing is available on the Optus website.

Topics: broadband, optus, prepaid, network, online, wireless, wireless broadband, optu, 10mb, data

Related Articles

Comments (61)

  • Chris commented on 04/07/2009 07:30 Report abuse

    I'm using optus wireless and it's very fast, but drops out CONSTANTLY! I'm in Melbourne suburbs and have to reconnect every 5 or 10 minutes. I'm considering rejecting the service completely.

  • capo commented on 27/06/2009 12:56 Report abuse

    I've had optus prepaid internet for 6 weeks, first 3 were great, now it drops out every 5 minutes at least. Coverage is great here, but it switches from HSDPA connection to WCDMA frequently then drops out when it tries to switch back. I have to click the little connect button every time. It's bloody nnoying.

  • dushkawen commented on 20/06/2009 17:47 Report abuse

    i just got a usb modem pre paid the 10mb blocks is not a problem for me if the stuipd thing would stay conected i am a wow player so i was after a stable coneection in rockingham wa i have a three phone that i have used with only one bar of signal that works better where i live it stays conected for hours unlike the 3g optus modem that has disconected 3 time while typeing this i called the the optus tec deparment the most useless bunch of computer want to bees ever (msg to optus) your call centers are a joke how can you give away jobs overseas when so many australians are looking for work i am takeing back my modem after i get charged for submiting this at 10mg dont buy optus products say no to optus

  • Naomi2500 commented on 05/05/2009 17:16 Report abuse

    Could someone please tell which is the best prepaid wireless internet connection to buy. My research so far is saying 3 but wondering if anyone out there has had experience with them and knew of any other reputable companies to go with. I live in Melbourne suburbs.

  • Optus sucks commented on 17/04/2009 11:18 Report abuse

    I have used several companies, but by far Optus is the worst. Dropouts are constant, despite me living 5 mins walk away from the centre of Brisbane's cbd. Customer service is non existent. It's basically, "I couldn't care what you think of our service" I will never ever use Optus again.

  • Johnny K commented on 16/04/2009 17:28 Report abuse

    This product is a nice calculated risk. The positives totally out weigh the few negatives that only certain amount of people may get, as, they should not be fussy to begin with. I can not wait until I get the start up package soon! Looking so forward to having this Optus Mobile Broadband.

  • Optus Deserter and Hater! commented on 14/04/2009 10:59 Report abuse

    Optus Sucks! Tried em, hated em, nothing but problems and dropouts despite being in supported area with full coverage. Customer service is last to ALL! Go Virgin, same pricing on same network, but get $50 pkg and lasts 2 months. NOT CHARGED IN 10M INCREMENTS. For $5 more you can get a bunch of extras with a Dodo plan (eg email, webspace, sms, etc)

  • Katrina commented on 04/03/2009 16:08 Report abuse

    So I've had this for about a week now...and still no complaints. It's awesome! It's extremely fast...I've stayed online for hours on end and have had only 10MB taken away from me each day, so if you try and stay connected online most of the day, you will only ever get charged 10MB a day. All you really have to do is be smart with it, and you will get your moneys worth. After having so called Bigpond Broadband connection at home ( on a $59.95 a month contract, and not getting much satisfaction out of that, I think I will stick with my prepaid Optus wireless Broadband, faster, better connection signal... and I am not stuck on a monthly contract.... I'm free!

  • checkers commented on 28/02/2009 17:55 Report abuse

    would this be good to play games online or would it cost me just say i wanted to play crysis wars for 8 hours how much data would that sting me

  • Katrina commented on 28/02/2009 13:43 Report abuse

    I just brought this product a couple of days ago...I love it ...so far I have no complaints. I'm one happy customer. It didn't take me long to set up at all. My usage has been good to me to, and it's going nice and fast...to be honest faster than the internet I have at home! And that's Bigpond! ...I'm also in Thredbo to right now, so far Ive had no problems what so ever. ( and it's nice to have some fast internet around here.. ), and techinaclly... this works out to be alot cheaper if you are in thredbo.

Post your own comment

Submit

Enter your personal information to the left, or sign in with your Facebook account by clicking the button below.

Connect
Nokia E75 Email made easy. Find out why.
Your iPhone will be happier with Optus.

Must read