Optus responds to Wi-Fi rollouts with new data-sharing plans

Optus has announced it is adding a range of plans that will allow customers to use their mobile plan’s data allowance across up to five devices.

There will be a once-off $5 set-up fee per device under the plan, but no ongoing fees for having multiple devices, with a $10-per-gigabyte excess usage fee for users who go over their quota.

In terms of calls and voice messages the new plans are based on the carrier’s existing My Plan products, with increased voice and data allowances.

The carrier will also offer the new plans as both a SIM-only plan with no contract for users who bring their own smartphone and devices, which the carrier is bringing out advertising directly comparing the plans to equivalent offers from rival Telstra.

The new plans come after the carrier reported a 1.7% year-on-year fall in its total number of mobile subscribers, down to 4.432 million from 4.592 million a year earlier.

It also follows recent figures from Telsyte showing many users prefer to use Wi-Fi or tethering rather than separate mobile broadband plans for their smartphones and tablets.

This has led to the announcement in recent weeks of new public Wi-Fi networks by both Telstra and iiNet.

In a statement Singtel-Optus’ chief country officer for Australia, Paul O’Sullivan, notes the new plans are designed to “dramatically change how customers use data”.

“Optus is revolutionising the mobile market. With these new plans, we think many customers will choose to ditch standalone mobile broadband plans for good,” O’Sullivan said.