Telecube NBN Price Hike - Existing Customers - Any Other Options?

Looks like it might be time for a new provider!

This is the email received:

My sincere apologies that it's necessary for us to make this announcement but in order to improve the quality of the service that we are providing, I'm afraid it's unavoidable.

Unfortunately we are unable to maintain the current pricing on your NBN plan, we will need you to either move to a lower speed tier to maintain a similar price or increase the price of your current plan.

Username:
Current plan: 100/40 1000GB $69.00/mth

New pricing on the matching plan: 100/40 1000GB $85/mth

These 50/20 plans might be of interest to you
50/20 1000GB $65/mth
50/20 500GB $60/mth

The full details of the new plans are available at the link below, you can change to a plan you like from there or if you prefer you can let the system change you automatically.

The new pricing will take effect from 14th June 2018, notice is given as per item 3.2.0 of the terms and conditions at https://www.telecube.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

I hope you will continue to trust us to provide your internet connection and I offer my commitment to you that we will continue to work hard to deliver the high quality service that you expect from us.

Sincerely,
John Matich
Telecube Pty Ltd

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Comments

  • +10

    My experience with these guys have been very terrible. Their Support is non existent and when they reply, it's usually template response or something that doesn't help you. I had an ongoing issue with the internet speed which they completely ignored for 4 months. I then sent them an email today venting my frustration out because of the price increase & said I'll be switching providers if you cannot fix my issue, to which they responded saying we take this as a closure request and we've now cancelled your services! So, I came home today on Friday evening to find that I've no internet and they've already cancelled my services. These guys are crooks! This is very unprofessional. I have a small business that I work on over the weekends and now I'm without the internet with no prior notice! Going to ABB soon and also contacting TIO about this disruption!

    • +4

      wow, I hope you manage to screw them more than they screwed you.

    • sounds like they are using AI to handle support based on key words you've typed. This is how ebay deals with most disputes. They don't have the man power to read through them all and come to a judgment. The volume is overwhelming.

  • +1

    I agree with you fakejv.
    Support has been terrible for me with Telecube.
    They have consistently ignored an overcharge to my account for the last fortnight.
    I get no email response, and on web chat they tell me they will look into it.

    I've left for ABB.

  • A smooth signup to Aussie bb with consistent speeds of 47 on their 50 plan. Hopefully this mob stays a professional company unlike telecube and SkyMesh.

    • Buzz
      Telecube
      Skymesh

      What do they have in common? People swore by them and word of mouth was very positive regarding performance. What happened to them? They either started to suck in performance, raised prices, or went bust.

      ABB is another that people swore by. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up at the same crossroads at some point. Now that they're taking up customers being offloaded by other RSPs. And then where will you go?

  • +2

    ABB 50/20 unlimited $79 is what I went to, bit more expensive, but no congestion and great support.

    • ?
      I just looked up their plans and their 50/20 1000gb is $89 a month. That's $30 more than I'm paying with TC so I'm staying put for now.

      • +1
      • ?
        it's only $89 when you include a phone plan

        • Nope. Landing page says $79 but if I do a 'check your availability' it only gives me the option for $89 at 50/20. I suspect it figures out I'm on FW and charges more for that? Even the 25/5 1000gb is $75. Way better off sticking with TC at this point.

        • @EightImmortals: OK just checked with ABB and higher monthly costs are because we are on FW. Not worth changing at this point in that case.

  • Pity these ISPs - NBN is such a big bloody mess that with the cost overruns and delays, it will be dead when 5G becomes mainstream. FWIW am an existing TC customer ($69 100/40 plan since Jan) and had to downgrade to 50/20. Not planning to switch unless there's a better quality provider with similar costs.

    • +6

      Lol wireless will never be better than wired.

      • So most NBN connections would be lucky to get 100MBS down at all… My Phone on 4G near a tower will do 180mbs down and 5g speeds are over 3gbs. Sorry how is wired going to be better ?

        • fttp hfc and ideal fttn can do 10gbps if upgraded. isn't latency an issue with wireless?

        • +2

          "near a tower"

        • +4

          Physics mate. Wireless is a shared medium. You may be the only one on that tower for now but once others get on then it will be a mess. How many of these towers are you going to need? One for every street? How do you think the wireless towers are connected anyway?

        • @Piranha2004: Mesh is comming!

        • @Piranha2004:

          100% correct.

          Plus 5G is still in the testing stage, but 5G doesn't address the problem that 2G then 3G and now 4G has and that's data volume. Wireless broadband speeds are only good while most people are downloading and watching TV on their cabled connection. Notice how people link their smartphones to their cabled WiFi router each evening versus mobile data - there is a reason ;)

          Unless something revolutionary is discovered WBB will continue to complement cabled and not the other way round

        • +1

          My Phone on 4G near a tower will do 180mbs down and 5g speeds are over 3gbs.

          For the purpose of your mobile usage this is fine.

          Sorry how is wired going to be better ?

          Wired is much more stable. Lag spikes are less likely. The connection is direct and fast. Better pings also.

          If you do gaming, you will understand.

  • +1

    For those who are on Telecube's 100/40 plan but didn't receive the email, check your junk box. That's where the email ended up for me (despite the invoice and payment reminder emails going straight to my inbox).

    • Good point but nope, maybe I'm lucky for once.

  • curious how reactions would've been if they increased the price and made it unlimited

    • I'm not sure if that would change the reaction much. The reaction is bad because of them advertising the cheap price over the last couple of months and then suddenly bumping up the price. I've been with them for around half a year so I don't feel too bad but for those who've just joined them in the last couple of months, it would be very frustrating.

      • +2

        Agreed, I've enjoyed a few months of decent service, but this was obviously planned from the beginning and they're banking on a predetermined number of new sign ups staying at the higher price.

        Disgraceful marketing

  • +3

    I'm one of those who joined at the end of last end, paid $99 setup fee and $69 per month for 100/40. Do the maths, that's about $85 per month for no support, or very bad support, poor international speeds and constant dropouts. It's time to move on.

    Once bitten twice shy!

  • I'm on their lowest speed 35/month plan, haven't received any email from them about price hike. So I presume it's not affected?

  • Come across to Aussie Broadband!

  • +2

    I was literally connected for one day when I got the email. Demoralised….

    • Support negative 10 is a cost to me.

      Two days ago installer said they didn't pass on phone number so a day's work lost, have wrong modem model so paying and can't use it.

  • If your rollover is before the change date you would not be affected for that month, right?

    • That's correct. John on whirlpool after some user requests have confirmed that those who had static ip will get this included with the price increase. So my $74.50 plan will now be $85pm. I will wait for July as my rollover date is before the price increase. Hopefully this situation will develop positively.

  • +3

    I'm changing out of principle…ugly marketing stragety, stuff em

  • +1

    Given that according to posts at Whirlpool that this price increase has come because of the NBN stopping promotional pricing on the 100/40 plans, and by the end of the year they will drop the special pricing on the 50/20plans. (of course they may extend this pricing deal)

    (discussed here) https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-cos-50mbps-promo-expands-…

    The following maybe a better strategy for churn.

    Telstra have 50/20 1000gb plan for $79 while that is $14pm higher than Telecube, it is a 24 month contract. (abb is $79 but unlimited vs Telstra 1000gb download)

    If the "information" that the 50/20 plans are at present "promotional" then while Telecube's 50/20 price is more "attractive" at the moment and likewise other ISP's are somewhere in between, if in september this causes another round of increases then given the record here at Telecube, they will have to increase prices, and likely the other Isp's will do the same - including maybe Telstra.

    A 24 month contract will protect from that change for 24 months. (Other ISP's may also have 24 month contracts)

    I will be considering that. Any comments on this strategy?

    • It sounds like a good strategy but why go with Telstra then? Why not TPG who have an 18 month contract for $70 for a 50/20 plan?

      Not that I know anything about TPG's service!

      • +1

        True the TPG offer is "acceptable", however I have since seen the Telstra deal thru JBHiFi,

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/379381

        $ 99/mth

        Your plan inclusions
        - Unlimited Home Broadband Data.
        - Telstra TV®with 24 months Foxtel now access
        - Free Wi-Fi data at Telstra Air hotspots.
        - A Telstra Smart Modem™.
        - Unlisted phone number, name and address

        Bonuses & Add-ons
        - 1 Month Free.
        - Connection charge waived.
        - A Telstra TV box worth $192 (free) - Nice, although to me probably a $100 value

        Given that with the 1 month free and no connect fee the foxtel now access and unlimited, I think that this would be a better offer than the $79 plan (Saving $200 Which averages out about $9 a month so nett only $11 more with unlimited data plus the Foxtel/Telstra TV benefit. -Total $90 a month average)

        • What's Telstra's service like as far as congestion?

        • +1

          @lostn: They have a had a lot of outages the last year or so (unless I'm imagining things?) The other problem I had with Telstra is that I couldn't run my IP phone, they simply wouldn't give me the sip server settings. This might have changed over the last couple of years but one to check on if you do have an IP phone.

        • +1

          Fair enough, there are some added bonuses in that plan but I reckon it is still overpriced. In my opinion, if the Foxtel Now plan came with the sports pack then it might have been a bit more worth it.

          If you feel you're getting value for money then go ahead. If not, there are plenty of other internet providers who can provide a similar NBN plan for cheaper and you can still get a basic Foxtel Now subscription on the side for under $90 combined (granted that would be without the Telstra TV, which you can offset with a Chromecast instead!). And perhaps you wouldn't have to be locked in to that price for 24 months since prices could go down in the next 2 years.

        • @alwaysupforabargain: The two years is what I want. Yes prices might go down, but given the itnews article, I suspect not. At least I know it wont increase.

          @eightimmortals

          The VOIP might be an issue however if I go with the JBHIFi deal, I can pull out after 30 days and pay nothing. So if that is true, I'd be able to move to another provider.

          As for outages, the Telstra plan does give GSM backup thru the modem (although speed will be slow). With Telecube I've had 6 or so in the past year each requiring modem reboots.

          While these are my responses to those raised issues, I really appreciate the feedback so far, as it gives me things to look out for and consider.

        • +1

          And they're giving you a 25/5 speed being that sneaky they try to cover it up with fancy words "standard evening speed" what the hell is that.
          https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/nbn/nbn-speeds-explaine…

        • @hawkeye: Good pickup - maybe?

          Not fully understanding speed, but to me that seems to be for the 25/5 offering. This is as I read it what they call as "standard" where as the 50/20 is "standard plus"

          If you read the speeds link you attached, it says under "basic" that "Telstra doesn't include this as part of our standard offering"

          When you look at the pricing page

          https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/nbn/plans-bundles

          There is NO Basic NBN 12/1 offered by Telstra.

          Therefore the 25/5 is their "standard offering" and that is the speed you are referring to. Not the 50/20 I am considering

          So I read it's "typical speeds" 40/15 7pm -11pm and 45/15 other times

          As usual its the Typical Testra confusing terminology. I always think of Telstra as the IBM of Telecoms, so out of date when it comes to systems and not ever user friendly with their website.

          But maybe I am wrong, so any further insight will help, as its not yet something I have decided on.

        • +1

          @RockyRaccoon: The $99 plan says Standard Plus Evening which is the 50/20 speed so you've got it right!

    • Why is NBN Wholesale getting more expensive? I hoped it would get cheaper like mobile phone plans.

      • +4

        Because they swapped a Telstra monopoly for an NBNco monopoly and let government and politicians run the show so naturally the costs have blown way past the estimates and the only way that recoup them is to gouge us for more money.

  • If I have just started my new month with Telecube but want to look at switching to AussieBB. Am I better off waiting for the current month to end or will telecube refund the difference?

    • +1

      No refund, use the month.

      • Thanks mate!

  • +2

    Aussie Broadband gets my vote. If anyone wants any ping tests done or any other feedback just drop me a note.

  • Unbelievable that with Telstra I have unlimited 100/40 NBN with basic fox and a tablet for $110 a month. And with my phone thats 50 a month including handset repayment now have foxtel now. Very glad I didnt switch over.

  • Screw these guys, going to go with AussieBB, roughly same price but these guys are bait and switchy and dont conduct their business well.

    • You don't want to jinx your new provider now do you.

      Tbh, I think they will end up doing the same.

      • +1

        And that's the thing right - if you're on a month to month plan, this can happen at any time regardless of the provider.

        The disappointing thing here is Telecube offering the cheap 100/40 plan up until a few weeks back and then changing it now. It would have been nice if they at least let the new users stay on this plan for a few months and bumped the price on users who've been with them for more than a few months.

        • +2

          Or if TC did a proper analysis on whether or not they could actually sustain what they were about to offer, before offering it.

          This just feels unsavoury to hike the price so soon after this many people churned over.

  • good thing I didn't join them a few weeks ago when they did $70 for 100/40 1TB.

    What a bait and switch.

  • +1

    They have absolutely non professional customer service ( that is only if you get hold of them!) I signed up with a different provider 2 weeks after their advertising campaign on ozbargain because of their customer service.

  • The rep has been very quiet lately.

    • +1

      Probably trying to keep up with all the cancellation requests lol

  • He’s over on the whirlpool threads.He’s not happy how the company has been run either. The ship is sinking like all the other dodgy brothers.

  • +2

    He is more like a self righteous pompous ass… I complained in an email after the third dropout in three days only to find my connection cancelled the next morning.

    Glad to see they are heading the path of the dodo!

    • +3

      Correct. The Rep/ceo/owner of this company turned out to be the biggest tool. When I complained to him about my speed issues, he cancelled my connection as well. He doesn't like it when people complain and provide a true feedback of his company. I thought I was the only case, but now hearing that he's done the same thing to others, it appears that this is a joke of a company. And people staying on with them should take this into consideration that this may happen to them one day as well and they may be left stranded without the internet one day.

  • +1

    After having issues with MyRepublic as some of you would know about all too well, I recently changed over to Click Broadband. I would be pissed as well if they hike their prices, however I don't think they can as I am on a contract. I was wrapped with their option to haggle. They we're offering a free month and then the next 5 months at $10 off. My turn off was the $99 setup fee, however I had this waived in lieu of waiving the free month. They provide a free modem and the customer service is beyond anything i've ever had. And they speak english, and are based in Chatswood. I pay $58.88 a month. 10x better than MyRepublic. Good speeds too. Almost getting my full 50/20. Definitely can't complain at all :) . I believe MyRepublic recently up'ed their prices as well.
    I was considering Telecube, glad I didn't now.

  • +4

    For any Mungi user, I just talk to their customer service:
    me: Hi, just a quick question. Does Mungi plan to rise the price in near future? The reason why I am ask, is some of the ISP start to rise their price on NBN plans.
    mungi: Hi there, I believe our plans will be rising within the next couple of weeks. However, existing customers will pay the price of what they signed up with :-)
    me: sounds great, glad to know. Thank you.

  • Was seriously considering them but signed up with tpg instead (my adsl2 is with them). Seems to have dodge an obvious bullet here. See how it will pan out with tpg, didn't really have high hopes with them as their adsl was painfully congested. I can always swith to another isp anyway as they waived the contract and setup fee when I said I will be signing up with someone else.

  • +1

    Like many here, I will be changing to ABB as soon as my current month is over.

    Is it OK to request new connection a day prior to the old month finishes since that there is no cancel fee associated with Telecube?

    Seems a bit silly that their rep is happy to post whatever deals on OzBargain but is radio silent on this massive thread…

    • +1

      He is busy getting a new Inetnet connection for himself from another provider.

    • +1

      Just signed up to ABB as well after their non existing support and constant drop outs.

    • 3 days notice of cancellation is required otherwise they will bill you for the next month

      • I don't see it in TC's t&c, plus i've been having issues with their service for over a month with no resolution.
        Connected to ABB's nbn within an hour and no issue since then.

    • I was with TC at one stage. I would highly recommend notifying them of the cancellation at least 3 days prior to your end of billing cycle as any requests may take several days for them to action. Been with ABB for 2 months, connection consistently stable with no drop outs. Literally connected within 30mins….HFC nbn. Good luck

  • +1

    I just recently had Skymesh do a price match of their $70/mo for 100/40 1TB plan…
    Let's see if Skymesh and other ISPs start bumping up pricing.

    • I’d be surprised if you don’t have congestion with Skymesh (research on here and Whirlpool).

      My suggestion would be to go to ABB.

      • I'm still on SkyMesh and I have absolutely no issues. 90+ evening speeds (on 100/40).

  • My billing cycle starts on 8th of every month. Should i pay $69 this month to get 100/40 or $65 50/20 speeds? It says new oricing begins from 14th June?

    • Where's the rep when you need them?

    • +1

      According to Rep posts on Whirlpool the new Billing starts on the 14th June.

      If the cycle starts earlier like yours, then you will be switched on the 8th of July.

      If it was June 15th then you would have been switched on June 15th

  • is there a known info if ABB is going to do a price hike as well?
    i dont want to switch to ABB only to find out that they also increase their price!

    • Fair chance it'll happen..
      NBN are stopping their discounting for 100/40 plans and are pushing hard to elevate people to 50/20 plans from 25/5.
      This is why only 100/40 plans are being impacted by this price rise and 50/20 plans remain so cheap.

      • This is why only 100/40 plans are being impacted by this price rise and 50/20 plans remain so cheap.

        50/20 plans are increasing by $5 as well as far as I can see.

      • Just for 12/1?

        • There's only special pricing for 50/20 connections.
          all other connection speeds suffer a price increase that either needs to be absorbed or passed on to the customer.
          Given the minimal profits being made by ISP's on NBN, most likely the increases will be passed on either partially or in full, just as Telecube have done.

  • What do you prefer? Still be paying $50/month for ADSL at 7Mbps sync speed for 2 more years or live anywhere in Australia and get 100Mbps for $120/month. Unfortunately I am stuck with #1 till 2020.

    • +1

      Certainly not "anywhere".
      Only around 20-25% of FttN customers can achieve close to 100/40 and No Fixed Wireless or Satellite customers can get 100mbps.
      The only people assured of 100mbps connections are those in FttP suburbs/towns.

      • What I meant was, I am happy to pay more than twice what I pay now if they had done the NBN right and I actually had access to it. But i have no option other than maybe getting 4G LTE for faster speeds.

  • Suddenly very glad I resisted the temptation and stayed with AussieBB. I highly recommend them. Might be $5 dearer for some plans however that $5 a month is worth it for the piece of mind that your are getting, great speeds and service. Plus you're supporting a 100% Aussie company.

    • How when I look at ABB 100/40 is $99 TC will be $85

      • Moved from TC to Aussie BB now, only realised how much some of my services were being effected now that I am on Aussie BB and everything works beautifully.

  • New this hike was going to happen,they need the money as the nbn budget has blown out only about 50 billion the only way the cost of nbn plans are going is up.im staying with adsl 2 I'm getting about 16 Mbps telstra keep trying to switch me but I refuse.

    • I probably would have stayed on adsl a bit longer but when nbn became available in my area my sync speeds kept getting lower and lower.

      Once they got to half what I was getting it pushed me to switch (plus when the Telecube offer came along it was the same money for better speeds).

      My neighbour had the same degrading of sync speed also (so I got him on to Telecube too.)

  • +2

    Ah yes the gold old bait and switch

  • +2

    just a heads up for anyone that's planing on changing to the 50/20 speed plan, i did and they swapped it straight away, 15 days before my rollover date. i just managed to get a massive $16 credit for their stuff up but it probably cost me more in my time than $16 :-)

    the online chat guy was actually pretty cool though, so that was something.

  • I’m currently on a 50/20 1000gb plan for $60. Will these prices be changing (going up) too?

    • I'm on their 25/5 plan, as RockyRaccoon said

      According to Rep posts on Whirlpool the new Billing starts on the 14th June.

      If the cycle starts earlier like yours, then you will be switched on the 8th of July.

      If it was June 15th then you would have been switched on June 15th

      I connected with TeleCube last month around the 20th, so according to this EVERYONE is going to have the price hike June or July?

      I sure hope I don't get the price hike but I'm sure I will, I lost $60 because of this "bait"

  • +1

    Those changing their existing plans need to be aware of this announcement today on Whirlpool by Telecube's John M (http://whrl.pl/RfapQA):
    "Notice -
    We've identified a bug in the plan changer that is implementing the new profile onto the routers immediately that a plan change is submitted, please don't use the plan changer until further notice.
    If you are affected by the plan change problem and your speed is shaped prematurely, please email support and use the subject 'speed change bug' and we'll resume your normal speeds.
    Apologies for the inconvenience."

    • +3

      Because sending an email to their 'valuable' customers probably has some kind of bug preventing this too… The alleged management of this company is incredible!

  • anyone know how to view usage stats with telecube portal ??? internode was brilliant at that, telecube not so much.

  • awsome, now site is down and wont allow plan switching!

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