Mobile Carries Lost The Plot? (Optus in Particular!)

So this is an observation of mine about carrier pricing in particular Optus.

If you go through carrier deals, or you are the ones like me that keep an eye out on those, you will realized that since mid 2019, they have all gone super stingy. When you strip away all the prepaid deals, device sale (mostly Vodafone) and outlet initiate deals (JB, GG and HN), you can see that there was almost zero deals. Last know good deal was in fact Optus’ 20% sale during last click frenzy. Follow by their rapid price tweak of the mid range plan which eventually now set at $49 for 60G… hardly a deal.

Does any of you think the three major carriers is coming on broad this year for Click Frenzy? My prediction no. Vodafone and Telstra was never big player on deals anyway although they are both list partner on Click Frenzy site. Optus is the one that I am watching out but looks to be gone. In fact their plans are so bad now even if they do a sale it will still look crap. Say thy give 20% discount this year again, the medium plan become $39 with only 60G, I may as well pay Vodafone another $10 and get 100G. Optus Facebook has so much complaint about their service which again it is unlikely to change anytime soon, like Vodafone you will have to go through the garbage call center. So if there is no difference between the two, why would I want to choose Optus? Telstra still better in terms of services when compare to the other two so they will keep their market position as they were.

It is no secret that the big three has abandon the sub $30 market for the mvnos to fight it out, which is fine. Sensible people is not going to compare Optus with Someone like Circle of Life. The problem is now their pricing is not good on the medium to high end plans either and without a solid service to back up the premium, where do they think they are heading……

I have to say this again. Optus is the really sad story here. Their recent so call “Family Plan” $150 for four sims to share a lousy 250G is a joke. One year ago $160 buys you four sims with 320G (80G per sim). Dial back another year you can get 400G data for $150 and it come with two free IPad.

So what does that left with us this year? Well if you have plans to spend some money in Harvey or you plan to get an iphone then the current Optus promotion through Harvey is most likely the best you can get. If you are simply trying to cut down the monthly bill then it is hard to look pass the Circle of Life deal. I would think twice as using them for your main number just in case they lost your number during the port, too much horrible stories. Its is ok to use them just for the data (second sim) though.

This is part of Click Frenzy deals for 2020

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Comments

  • +8

    When Optus shut down Virgin Mobile, that was the death knell for “cheap” offerings from B+M telcos. Everyone dropped subsidised handsets in favour of SIM plan + interest free loan under the guise of “no lock in” despite the fact that carriers already had “no lock in” (insofar as the only cancellation fees you’d face were for the handset, as is the case now; Telstra being the telco who would charge cancellation fees too).

    • +7

      the guise of “no lock in”

      The people that buy handsets on these "no lock in " plans generally are the ones that can't afford to pay for the handset cost upfront. So even though they're not technically locked in by the contract, they'd have to pay out the phone as a lump sum if they cancelled - which they are unlikely to be able to do! So they stay…

      Smart marketing by the telcos!

  • -2

    Wouldn't the value of a deal be relative to each user's own phone-use profile (including the geographical coverage provided by the carrier)?
    I'm not sure why you are running down Optus so much, and promoting the other reseller (which appears to run on the Optus network) when that is limited to the coverage provided by Optus.

    • Sorry my post was a bit long but if we summarize the current pricing in the market:

      Sub $30: there are plenty or MVNOs run across all three network, the big three simply don't care.

      Mid range $40-$70: One of the focus of the big three and Optus represents the poorest value with their current pricing.

      High end over$70: There are only very little customer in this market and many are swear by Telstra. Yes they have their share of screw up lately but at least you can walk into their store and get someone to complain to and in some case fix it for you in store. Can't say the same for Vodafone and Optus.

      So my point was where does that leave Optus? Their services is crap, zero value in the plan and the only people that are hanging on to them (I guess) is like me who had a deal from them and not finish their contract.

      • -3

        You seem to have made quite a few assumptions in your 'summary'.
        People will choose products that suits their phone use profile, and if they can't be bothered doing that they will stay with their current provider.

        I'm still not sure why you are running down Optus so much. As you say, you are currently contracted to them, so I assume you made that decision a year or more ago; was that when their services were not crap, and they had value in their plans?

        • +1

          I make that decision because I can have a new S10 512G and a 200G plan for $105 month. The phone was worth $1300 at the the time so I am effectively paying $50 for a 200G plan. Their service has always been crap and that was with their flagship store. One incident in 2018, the branch manager at the time told me in the face that their store only takecare of sale and not customer service, and I am free to complain to TIO all I want, he dont give a ****

          Correct People will choose products suits their phone use profile, and I think people will find they can find a better deal else where under any usage pattern.

          You just have to look at comment in OZB and WP and see how many user commented how poor Optus' current pricing and none are plan to stay (including me) after the contract finish.

          • -1

            @syswong: So you weren't happy to join Optus, or you were happy?

            • -1

              @GG57: I was happy to accept its problems given what was offered 12 months back then.

              There is no way that I will sign onto any of their current plan now. You are better off with a small plan with a good MVNO and a second sim for data with COL.

              I aren't stingy as you can see when I am happy to pay $105 a month, just want to point out how lousy the big three pricing are (in particular Optus) compara to that Optus deal 12 months ago which is not cheap by itself. Hence I say the Mobile Carries Lost The Plot.

              There are more difficult time ahead of us and the big three need to play its part and provide more value to customer.

              Its interesting that one associate of Harvey commented in the Harvey deal that the gift card and free head phone is fully fund by Optus. Why they just spend that money into giving customer better plans. So you have marketing fund but not operation fund? I am speechless….

              • @syswong: Ok, so you were happy with the offering from Optus at the time.
                When that contract expires, you can make a new choice.

                I don't understand why you think Optus should offer 'better plans' or 'more value to customer'. They offer what they decide to offer.
                Customers make purchase decisions.

                Has Optus 'lost the plot'? No, it seems to be doing ok. It has a board of directors who seem to be widely experienced and it is a large player (~25%) in the Australian market.

                • @GG57: Customers make purchase decisions… GOOD!! I love to see how many of the 25% market they have left after all the previous promotion contract expires.

                  If you look at whistle out, they are currently price beated on all handset by Woolworths and Vodafone and while Telstra still more expensive (and will always be). People in general still willing to pay for their better service. In fact on the high end plans, Telstra is not that far off now.

                  Seems you keep like singing your praise for Optus. If you care so much about them, may be tell them to wake up before the ship sinks.

                  • -3

                    @syswong: Nope, I've never been an Optus customer.
                    I didn't start this post criticising your contracted service provider.

                    Perhaps you made a less-than-great decision to sign with them and your now regret that. You will have a chance to make a new decision when your contract expires.
                    End of story.

                    • @GG57: I suggest you read my replies again. I never say I am unhappy, and yes I will sure leave them when my contract finishes if they don't offer something good.

                      I criticizing that Mobile Carries Lost The Plot? (Optus in Particular!). So far from all the pricing point it stacks up.

                      It is Optus' right to price the way they want, its Optus' right not to offer an competitive deal in one of the most anticipated sale even in Australia when other competitors do. They think they are on the right track, I think they are lost the plot….

  • Does any of you think the three major carriers is coming on broad this year for Click Frenzy?

    Telstra and Vodafone are listed, Optus are not. See the bottom of the page here

    Telstra deal is already available.

    • The only thing new is that $45 cash back, The $10 credit has been there for a while. I have a line on that pricing.

      Vodafone can easily call their S20+ plus free Galaxy buds with the credit hived ($60) as a deal.

      Compare to the port in deals from JB, Good Guys or Harvey. The above two deals are really not that much value, given you actually have use of the handset credits / Gift card.

      • -1

        Telstra is $40 for 30G. For extra $5 you get 5G more and stores can actually fix your problem. I know who to choose.

        Good job for Telstra for bring the price so closed though. And what is our dearest Optus doing? $39 buys you a lousy 10G… this is what GG57 claim Optus decided to offer? Good luck!!!

        • If that is what they have offered, that is what it is.
          Move on (oh, that's right, you chose to be contracted to them).

          • +1
            • +1

              @syswong: So what.
              The deal was offered. You and others downvoted the deal on here.
              That is the way to share an opinion.

              Why all the vitriol against Optus? As you continue to point out, there are other options out there. People agree with you. Why don't you just move onto another provider?

              I'm pretty sure that Optus don't care what you think of their offers (as they already have you on a contract).

        • Optus offers 60GB for $49.
          When your contract expires you can continue on your current plan with your existing handset or buy a new handset outright & put your existing SIM into it.

          • @Cashcow181: Go with Voda, $1 more for 100G and unlimited data. BTW very usable shape after that 100G.

  • -1

    Almost every companies Facebook I go to has bad reviews… Isn't that what Facebook is for?

    Seriously looks like you're Optus bashing. No comparisons for Telstra and Voda from 2 or 3 years ago like Optus?

    • It is true, all facebook has bad review, but Optus has way too many, most to do with customer services. The other two aren't much better. I have to go through TIO with Vodafone and you don't have to look too far in whirlpool forums for Telstra's problem with signal and congestion last year.

      Look no one wants to contact customers services, we do because something went wrong and as customer we just want it fixed. A this department no one is doing great but you have to give it to Telstra for not send customer to help line even if they are on store. Now lest take a step back, all these was not the point for my post.

      Look at what I was originally pointing out, it was all about pricing. My post was about Optus pricing had lost reality with actual market. See how Telstra can do a $5 data plan, $40 30G phone plan both with unlimited data. Telstra are thinking and trying, then why can't Optus bring out a decent deal? The $40 80G plan was popular and so was their $70 200G data plan.

      We as Optus customer are use to the almost to zero services level already. We tolerated that with its good value. I use to have three lines with Optus now one left just like Cinnamon Crunch mentioned below.

      It is true that Optus is free to do whatever they want with their pricing, we as customer are free to leave as we want as well.

  • +4

    Yeah the low Optus plan is terrible and a lot of their offers havent been very exciting. The iPad one was ok and also an online only sale of a huge data bonus on a sim plan.. but apart from that they arent as good as 2 years ago.. and their offers to resolve my issues were usually quite sad.
    I cancelled 2 out of 4 of my plans, my other 2 are actually cheaper to continue to pay monthly for the rest of the year.
    I continued with Optus on my main number as I was willing to leave with but was basically given a retention discount. My data pools so that was part of the benefit.
    Thanks for the read though. I didnt know about Circles Life

    • I would be very concern to put my main number with Circle of Life, and my credit card as well. I suggest you read on user comment in OZB and Whirlpool forum before making a decision. I guess they are ok for the second number or just use them for the data. You may want to register with a prepaid credit card too.

      About the data pool, its really not so important any more as large data plan are so cheap. You just have to manage you accounts and keep an usage. I currently with three different supplier and a total of 320G of data, never a problem.

      • Ah yeah I wouldnt switch without a proper look. I like my number so dont really want to lose it.

        The only issue with my 2 contracts is that they benefit from the data pool as they are tablets on 3gb data limits.
        Both worked out cheaper than buying outright at the time, as they charge me but then credit me most of the device costs in the same bill. So the payment is cheap per month but if i cancel early they still have a big device repayment total.

  • Im on Optus/Amayasim $30 with 100gb a month… Before that I was on Optus/Circle.Life $18 20gb & for the most part I 100% agree with your observations BUT things will be changing when Optus launch the 5G rollout. Vodafone are another 6-9 months away from doing the same (but better on the 900mhz band for 5G) and when they do, you will see new plans.

    As a teaser, you can get a 5G modem and unlimited data (50mbs speed guarantee) option now for $70 a month! This is a NBN killer plan…

    In the UK Vodafone have excess speed tiers you pay extra for. Base might be 1mbs but they offer 5mbs or 25mbs for excess data! This is the smart way forward for plans on 5G. I know Im tempted by any $70 uncapped, unlimited plan!

    As for handsets, if you avoid APPLE and shop around online for new andriod phones, you get 5G and top specs for $600-800 outright and you dont need a new phone every year!

    • As for handsets, if you avoid APPLE and shop around online for new andriod phones, you get 5G and top specs for $600-800 outright and you dont need a new phone every year!

      It was one of the best thing while carriers was doing it, I mean the leasing model. In fact that is what I did last year with the Optus Click Frenzy deal. Save all the trouble of selling your used handset in ebay / Gumtree.

      While I am cool with the 600-800 flag ship, mostly from etailer, you just have to read how many poeple here say they want local warranty even when they are mostly garbage. IMO only Samsung and Apple is worth buying local, but you don't get 600-800 flagship with them.

  • I have been upgrading every 2 years to get a new phone at a deal that was convenient for me. Maybe not always the best value but I got a new phone and could make all the calls And texts I wanted Plus more than enough data to satisfy my streaming needs away from wifi.

    I don’t think that will be happening this time. They are now THREE year deals!! That’s gotta be a rip off.

    Time to fight back people!! They have conned us slowly into becoming habitual upgraders but this is now over. They are trying to suck us in. I say buy your handset and go with whatever sim only deal suits your needs. A lot of smaller companies are very competitive. If you have any immigrant friends, ask them who they are with and you will find some really good deals that way because these people are used to good deals in their countries.

    • +1

      Not all hope is lost, the Harvey Norman Deal is quite good if you can utilize the $700 credit and gets better if you buy an iphone with the free handset.

      What puzzled me is Optus is spending money this way but rather not change it plans? Assume farque is correct and my calculation was right (and I assume it works similar with JB and Telstra), why? It would be much more cost effective to just do a discount campaign.

      • +1

        Sorry Gerry gets nothing from me. I’d rather use smoke signals :p

  • +1

    Noticed this as well… Prices were pushing down towards $30 for 80GB+, then $40 but 4GB roaming was included (decent enough), then $49 without the roaming data, then downed to 60GB and a higher plan with 100 added…

    Note AUD:SGP is long term bearish right now.. that may relate. It was $1.07 SGP for $1 (ie $40 plan = $42.80), it's now $0.92 (ie $49 plan = $45.08 and dropping). Possibility it'll dip well below the $42.80 even at the AUD$49 pricing, it did already when our currency crashed a little in March.

    TL:DR:
    Look at the prices in SGP and the differences are +/- 10% deal to deal typically. You get the odd random $30 insane deal though…

    • Why would AUD-SGP have any bearings on mobile carrier pricing?

      • +1

        Either he/she is from SIN and comparing to offer in SIN or he/she is referring to Optus is own by Singtel.

        • +1

          The later

          Owned by a Singaporean company - has investors expecting SGD dividends to answer to.

  • Telcos can't force you off a plan right? I'm on a $30/15gb optus plan (being an ex virgin customer) and everything else they offer in a similar price range, costs more for fewer GBs.
    At the time I signed up two years ago I was a bit shitty because cheaper plans came out after I'd signed on, but now it seems my plan is good value.

    • +1

      They can, once the contract period ends (if there was one initially) they can give 30 days notice to move to a new plan.

      They often don’t, as it could trigger you to evaluate and move to another provider.

  • Yeah, I feel this way about them too. Those older deals with great value were what brought me to join Optus with my mobile, and earlier this year I was still able to negotiate my own loyalty discounts with them to get the current Optus 30GB BYO plan for $4/month instead of $47, but ready to move to another provider as soon as a good deal comes up given the plan value, and seeing much better speeds on the rest of my family's devices which are on the Telstra network. At this point I agree, even if they did bring back the discounts I'd still be happier signing up elsewhere for a new plan.

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