Optus to offer pre-paid iPhone

Optus has released its pricing options for the Apple 3G iPhone in what is looming as a price war to capture customers among the country’s leading telcos.

Optus has released its pricing options for the Apple 3G iPhone in what is looming as a price war to capture customers among the country’s leading telcos.

Optus has moved to differentiate its offering from that of its rival, Telstra, by announcing it will offer customers the opportunity to buy a black 8GB iPhone outright for $729 with any of its pre-paid plans, while the 16GB model – in black or white – will sell for $849.

Pre-paid customers that buy an iPhone will receive a bonus $400 credit entitlement and 1GB internet browsing.

iPhones purchased outright are locked to the Optus network, with an $80 fee if the phone is unlocked within the first six months unless the customer has already purchased calls to that value.

Customers that want to avoid forking out $729 will be able to get an 8GB iPhone for zero dollars up-front on an Optus $79, 24-month cap plan, or a 16GB iPhone on a 24-month, $89 cap plan.

The cheapest cap-plan option that includes the iPhone is the $19 cap plan over 24 months, although customers must then pay $21 per month for the phone itself.

A range of 12 and 24 month plans for both the 8GB and 16GB iPhone models are available.

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