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Optus Mobile: Unmetered Netflix, Presto on Postpaid Plans ($10 on Lower Plans/Free on Higher Plans), Spotify Unmetered for All

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Looks like this might be in response to Telstra's unmetered Apple Music.

Streaming Music services: Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music and IHeartRadio are now unmetered on Optus Post-paid plans (was previously only available on Prepaid)
Netflix and Presto are unmetered on the high end $100 and $120 plans, or a $10 addition to the $40/$65/$85 plans.

Can't seem to find anything official on the Optus website as yet. As per the other deal, may not be considered a true bargain, but could save you some money on data charges!

Edit: Offical FAQ from Optus site (thanks Goodfellha)
https://yescrowd.optus.com.au/t5/Blog/Postpaid-Music-and-Mob…

Now up on the Optus site:
http://www.optus.com.au/shop/promotions/stream

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    • -6

      Net neutrality is about equal access/speed/reliability isn't it, not about whether data use is metered or not.

      • +13

        It's treating traffic different…

        • +7

          @Lunchguy:
          Optus may be throttling data to streaming services on those that activate the plan.

          From the FAQ:

          What quality of streaming can I expect?

          Your streaming service has been designed to not exceed 512 kbps. This speed is for a single stream on mobile and tablet devices, so you can enjoy your favourite music on the included music service apps when you’re out and about.

        • -2

          @DogGunn:

          HAHAHAHAHA

        • +6

          @Lunchguy: Net neutrality means that all content is equal. Having multiple tiers with different prices, e.g. metered content and unmetered content, is by definition not net neutrality because it favours the tiers that have no cost. Unmetered content can only fulfil net neutrality when all content is unmetered.

          "the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites."

    • +9

      You're not wrong about it being against net neutrality, but I would say you're wrong about it being not a deal. This will definitely be convincing to some people to move to Optus.

      • +7

        It's funny because people only seem to support net neutrality if it benefits them and tend to forget that there are two ends of the spectrum. E.g. if Optus started to cap Netflix speeds people would be furious.

        • Comment Removed.

    • +17

      Everyone who said "net neutrality" got neg votes.. Lets see.. Net neutrality. fingers crossed.

      • +15

        Just be careful, if you say "Net Neutrality" three times in a row, Malcolm Turnbull will appear add give you inferior broadband.

        • +2

          He must of thought he heard me say it already, nuts.

  • +2

    I'm currently on the plan here (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/239750), how do I find out if I'm eligible for free Netflix?

    Edit: Nevermind, I shall keep an eye on the Optus site!

    • Are we eligible for the netflix/presto? Pretty sure we'll get the Spotify unlimited?

    • Login your 'my optus' account. You can check your eligibility under the 'Entertainment' tab.

  • Do you need to upgrade to the new plans to get the streaming deals?

  • +13

    Finally, Optus extends love to contract customers.

  • +2

    Great if connect your phone to your TV / chromecast

    • +2

      TV yes, via MHL, chromecast no. Chromecast uses wifi. It doesn't actually stream the video onto your phone.

      • +6

        You can use your phone as a hot spot to force the Chromecast to use your phone's data.

        • Why would you wanna do that? Unless your wifi speeds are slow?

        • +23

          @BlazinPast: Most of australia still doesn't have NBN, so assume the 4g is always faster than wifi.

        • +3

          @OnlinePred:
          My "NBN ready" HFC from Telstra slows down to ordinary ADSL speeds ~8mbit on some weeknights.

        • This is a good idea. Being in a cable area. I find my streaming freezes from time to time.

        • @Kambo_Rambo: Lol. I am lucky to get 2mb on the good days.

        • Can a phone in hotspot mode communicate via WiFi with devices (eg. Chromecast) that are currently tethered to it? The phone would have an IP on the WAN, the Chromecast cast would have a local IP allocated by the phone.

          If not, how would the phone tell the Chromecast what to play? I suppose you could use a third device also tethered to the phone. Assuming that the Android personal hotspot doesn't enforce AP isolation.

      • +3
        • Create mobile hotspot with eligible phone/plan.
        • Connect Chromecast to said hotspot
        • Cast unmetered
        • …Profit?
        • +7

          Actually, that won't work. From the FAQ:

          Data free Mobile TV streaming is not suitable for tethering, hot-spotting to multiple devices or streaming to a bigger screen using services such as Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. If you do tether or stream to a bigger screen, it will use your included data.

        • +8

          @shiznit:

          Good pick up.
          I guess more time reading FAQ's and less time being a smartar$e on OzB.

        • +3

          @shiznit: so mhl to hdmi is the only way to go I guess.

        • +3

          Really, what do they care?

          Its the same data either way. Its just bloody mindedness….

          EDIT - and nicely spotted

        • @Kaboda: MHL to HDMI isn't the only way to go, you can use Miracast/AirPlay to mirror your phone screen to the TV.

        • @Agret:
          That doesn't work on Foxtel Go, which detects miracast and refuses to play anything. Dunno about other streaming stuff.

        • @shiznit:
          I bet that's also going to bugger up my plan to watch EPL unmetered via a Huawei hotspot with a 4G data SIM on. Damn you and your fine spot sir.

        • @Oxxy: It's not the same data. If you could tether it then people would use more of it…

        • @callum9999:

          Yeah, in my mind it is.

          If i am allowed to stream as much netflix content as i want to my phone, but would rather punt it to my TV. Then Optus shouldnt care (assuming i was going to watch that content anyway).

          Yeah, you could say people would use more of it if they could easily push it to the TV, but if its all cached within optus, or Akamai or whatever, and you are using dedicated hardware - then just let people access the content via whatever medium

        • -2

          @Oxxy: Your mind can think anything it wants, it costs Optus more money if people can stream it onto their TV as well.

          I couldn't care less whether you like or agree with the restriction, but it's perfectly logical.

        • +1

          @callum9999:

          Well i am certainly glad you came here to publicly let me know that you couldnt care less about my opinion.

          A lot of effort for someone that doesnt care ;)

        • -2

          @Oxxy: I didn't say I don't care about your opinion, I'm saying it's irrelevant. It's a perfectly logical policy, period.

        • @Oxxy: Would the case be that netflix Hd on your phone Uses WAY less data if your playing it on the big screen tv? Or would that be a non issue?

        • @shiznit: How do they know that you've Casted the feed and to start metering otherwise unmetered data?

      • +1

        If you use an Android phone, you can cast your screen to Chromecast (instead of casting from Netflix) which means the internet used is on your phone only. Correct me if I'm wrong.

        • +1

          Don't they still need a Wi-Fi connection ??

  • +5

    Wow that's fantastic value. Will make night shifts easier! No more worrying about data management for Spotify and Netflix.

    • +8

      You get paid to watch Netflix? wowsers

      • +9

        Who doesnt?

        • +3

          Seems you're right. Will bring it up with the union 👊

      • +1

        No but TV is on in the background on nightshift if we aren't busy at the time.

  • +3

    Does this also apply for existing contract customers?

  • Will be happy if google play music is included free on my current plan!

  • +2
    • +1

      It says to go to the Entertainment section of My Account but this was not easy to locate. As far as I can tell, there is no "Entertainment" section. Any insight?

      • +3

        You'll have to wait until the deal is live on the Optus website.

        • +1

          Is it for all post paid plans or only the ones listed in the example?

      • The My Optus app has this section, but streaming option isn't there yet.

        • Is it for all plans or only the ones listed in the examples?

        • @YellowKnight: As far as I can tell, they have not made that 100% clear. However, the list shows music streaming for all plans and $10 extra for mobile TV streaming.

        • @YellowKnight:SIM only postpaid plans aren't included. I checked using the link that @ron8 included. My $40 plan has music streaming but not tv streaming.

          Add-On Not Available
          Hi, unfortunately you can't add Mobile TV streaming to your current plan because it's not eligible.

          Upgrade to a phone on an eligible plan.

      • I also can't see it. I thought the Entertainment section would already be available so I can turn on free music streaming.

        • I guess we aren't on an eligible plan.

        • @rith: The deal is not live yet.

      • +1

        I was able to access the Entertainment section and add streaming by guessing the appropriate URL. https://www.optus.com.au/customercentre/myaccount/entertainm…

  • +3

    I sincerely hope Optus network can handle this load, but yes those are great value.

  • +5

    The only thing that would make me switch is the inclusion of unmetered YouTube = )

  • This is great news but does it extend to existing customers ?

    Optus network speeds can be slow even in 4g area so hopefully the networks upgraded to handle this load. Otherwise it's going to make the service much worse

    • -1

      Judging by their cable service, they didn't bother in the past when they switched plans to unlimited… Read the whirlpool Optus posts

  • +3

    I'm actually on a $100 plan and as someone who gets 5 Megabytes per second off my 4G internet and 500 Kilobytes on my home ADSL, this is amazing news, Bring your phone and a chromecast to any hotel in Australia for unlimited netflix, not to mention laptop use around australia, So, so good.

    • +1

      That's actually a stellar idea

    • +4

      Doesn't work for tethering. Read some of the comments above.

      Depending on your phone, you could potentially get a cable to display your phone on the TV which would allow data free netflix on the telly

      • +2

        I have a S7 Edge Im sure there is some sort of Micro-usb to Displayport / HDMI adapter.

        • I'd say so!

      • Windows phone and continuum for the win!

        • +4

          Internet on a windows phone? Can they do that?

        • @Hotkolbas: Not only that but they run the same Windows as PCs now, so you can even catch all the same malware!

  • for lower plans, is this a monthly subscription option you have to sign up to, or a once-off option each month like a data-pack?

    also, is this per-service (individual mobile number), or per-account (ie. shared across data pooling)?

    could see myself potentially using this as a once-off, if travelling away from home and without wi-fi access. but we don't use netflix on-the-go enough to warrant signing up ongoing/regularly…for someone with a longer daily commute, this would probably be a good deal though!

  • I'm confused - is Netflix unmetered AND free on the higher plans, but metered on the lower ones (that cost an extra $10)? If I already have the top ($15) Netflix subscription, is it still unmetered on the lower plans?

    • this is completely separate from your Netflix account subscription ($15).

      it's the netflix DATA that is unmetered and free (on the higher plans, or $10 on the lower plans)…you still have to have a Netflix subscription in either case.

      • -2

        So effectively they're charging $10 on top of your plan for unmetered netflix… That's not such a bad deal since it's probably worth 20GB of data per month…

    • +7

      This is exactly what I was thinking. Unless all other video and audio streaming services get given the same privilege, it certainly seems unfair.

      • +8

        As you can see from the response fruit got to his first post about net neutrality, most people don't gaf.

        Short term gain long term pain, then whinge about it 10yrs down the track when there is only one big 'entertainment provider' with a decent library and they can do what they want pricing wise. I know Netflix has gotten a lot of love after everyone having to deal with Foxtel in the past but they are a business too and their end goal is to make as much money as they can.

        Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Netflix, I'm talking about these type of deals in general.

      • @stephendt
        Same here. Though it curiously didn't mention the extra strain on the network. Which is already horrible where I am. As a new Optus convert (EPL) I suspect this deal will be bad for me long term.

    • +3

      Truth. iiNet has already come out and said it regrets its deal for unmetered netflix. Things like this mean that companies can get away with low data-caps for longer while they chose the kind of media customers are able to consume for free.

      • -6

        Couldn't agree more stuff like this is bad for the consumer in general. I believe there have been court orders in the states rulling against this sort of behaviour.

  • +1

    I'm on the 15GB for $50 plan and it's not showing up in the entertainment section of My Account. Does that mean this plan is not eligible because that would suck!

    • +4

      Where is the entertainment section I cant find it, all is i see is a the my account dashboard?

      • NVM I learnt that my plan is better. The cheapest eligible plan is $40 with only 1GB of internet and no international calls.

        • +1

          Does that count the $40 plan with 10gb..

      • Yeah where is it lol

    • I was thinking to upgrade from Virgin to Optus 15gb for 50 deal.

      Then got really excited when I saw this post of unmetered netflix.

      But seems it's not eligible?

      • +2

        Nope. Confirmed Netflix not eligible for sim only plans. Music is however

  • I reckon some people will probably think they are on a $100 plan when they are actually on a lower plan + headset fee..
    Still trying to figure out if I feel thankful the plan exists or annoyed that the network will probably most likely worsen under extra load..

  • According to the FAQ, all content will be forced to playback in Standard Definition only (regardless of what Netflix subscription you have).

  • +7

    Are Optus throttling data on those that activate the plan? From the linked FAQ:

    What quality of streaming can I expect?

    Your streaming service has been designed to not exceed 512 kbps. This speed is for a single stream on mobile and tablet devices, so you can enjoy your favourite music on the included music service apps when you’re out and about.

    What does the video quality look like on my device?

    Video will be streamed in standard definition up to 1.5Mbps. This speed is for a single stream on mobile and tablet devices, so you enjoy your favourite movies and TV shows when you’re out and about. You might get some pixilation for the first 30 seconds or so of your stream as your app calibrates to the network. To get the best experience, we recommend you use the Netflix and Presto mobile and tablet apps and set the quality to “Auto”.

    What if I want to watch content in high definition?

    If you want to stream TV shows and movies from Netflix and Presto in High Definition you can remove data free Mobile TV streaming in My Account by clicking the Entertainment section. It’s important to note that by removing this, any TV shows and movies you stream from Netflix and Presto will no longer be data free and will use data from your plan.

    Does that mean that Optus are redirecting streaming services to limit bandwidth usage? The requirement to have to remove the package from your account in order to stream Netflix or Presto in HD over the mobile network sort of implies they are.

    • It is very clear. Unlimited SD. That seems fair to me as it should hopefully ensure a service which does not get overloaded too easily.

      • is it 1.5 megabytes per second or mega bits because I imagine 1.5 megabytes is enough for HD?

        • +3

          Little 'b' means bits, big 'B' means bytes (assuming they are using the correct notation, which they appear to be doing). 1.5 megabits/s should be good enough for 720p on Netflix at least so I don't think you should have any issues unless you're very picky, or watching on a large tablet screen.

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