BYO phone and get:
Best part… NO LOCK-IN CONTRACT (I like the feeling of knowing I can cancel without obligation)…
Optus has owned Virgin (VMA) for around 10 years.
True, but the structure and staff, and management style are supposed to remain as Virgin
Does Optus own Virgn? Or does Virgin simple use/rent Optus's towers for the network?
Optus wholly owns Virign as of 2006
Yes; Virgin Mobile Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Optus.
VMA launched in 2000 as a joint venture between the Virgin group and (Cable & Wireless) Optus. In 2006, Optus bought the rest of the shares, bringing its ownership to 100%.
Optus licenses the Virgin brand for use with mobile services in Australia.
Optus owns Virgin Mobile and pays to use the Virgin brand. Same as Virgin Money, Virgin gyms etc. Virgin happily licence their name/brand out for a price.
Yes. Virginmobile and Optus are the same company. They both use the same ABN so there is no difference except branding.
—edit—
Beat me to it.
Bloody amazing deal - especially with the rollover and no-contract!
However, buyer beware of the Excess data - it is not capped at $10 per GB if you're a heavy data user.
5.2c per MB = $52 per GB. But given the ozbargain mentality I'm sure we all watch our usage like a hawk :D
Good pick up, this is the only reason I wouldn't get this. Currently with optus $50 8gb M2M. I was 4gb over my data last month, this would be a killer.
Fell asleep whilst watching netflix. Wifi dropped out. Worked about $100 for the nap.
Wow Archales, you're not on the best deal mate.
I've got a $40 Optus M2M with 10gb data. You're paying $10 more than I am and getting 2gb less. Save yourself the extra $20 (2gb) and try get them to put u on the same deal as I am.
Been on it for about 11 months now, wanted to get the 15gb for $50 deal but new customers only. Considered the deal you are on but i thought it was a lock in contract?
@Archaleas: Nope, it's m2m as far as I know. I retained the same conditions (m2m) but instead of putting me onto the deal they were running at the time (12 mth contract + $40 for 10gb), they just gave me a $20 discount off the regular plan ($60 for 10gb) so I pay $40 for 10gb.
As for any Optus deal you wanna get onto for 'new customers only', ring them up and ask to be put to the retention team. They should be able to get you onto that $50 for 15gb deal. That does sound like a good deal though but 10gb is enough for me.
I'm actually getting 12gb for $40 on Optus….they stuffed up my transition from 24month with phone to 12month BYO, then when it finally rolled to 10gb, i got 2 texts 3 days apart saying i got an extra 1gb data at $0…its a minor win for the average OzBargainer
@albanyson: I'm not familiar with the offer but based on my experience, if u have a m2m contract with Optus (cancel anytime within 30 days), then they should be able to put you on the new deal ($50 for 15gb) but u keep the same conditions (m2m contract).
Best to call the retention team and ask. I'm sure they'll work something out with u to keep u as a customer.
@inacoma: Yeah did the whole retention team thing, spent a LONG time on the phone in the end or them to say that they cannot put me on the deal because it needs to be a new customer or number "the system won't allow me to do it".
@Archaleas: Interesting…was this just before? Last time I did that they were quick to put me on the new deal. Prob other ozbargainers have had other experience?
@inacoma: No that time was a few weeks ago, just did an online chat now to try and get M2M $40, 10gb. Told only 12m contact and they have no ability to negotiate.
@Archaleas: I guess they've started to keep a tight control over what they can and cannot do. Pity..,
i feel crap. went over last month :( $10 charge
Yeah can add up quick.
TPG was bad enough at 5c/MB when they were on Optus, is even worse now on Vodafone at 10c/MB.
Set a limit for data on phone, warning at 8 and cut off at 10.
how would one do this please?
I use an android so the steps would be as per this article: http://www.androidauthority.com/set-mobile-data-limit-androi…
I believe iPhone has a similar setting also.
When your data rolls over to the next month, do you use the data that has been rolled over first or from your new months allowance then any rolled data?
The rolled over data is used after your 10gb and what's left of your 10gb is rolled over.
eg: use 4gb 1st month, next month have 10gb + 6gb extra. If you use 8gb this month 2gb is rolled over and the 6gb extra is lost. If you use 12gb then nothing is rolled over and 4gb is lost.
Thanks!
exactly. basically only rolls over to following month. cant carry over 2months
Woolworths mobile has non expiry rollover data up to 15gb..
Can i use personal hotspot on my iPhone with this plan
It says 7gb on website
Yes you can.
what about Amaysim for $39.95
includes unlimited international to 12 countries too (may be more)
they use Optus network too
Price wise, they aren't so bad.
I used to be with them before they thought it would be alright to charge me by period of 28 days … Like it's february every month.
so who are you with at the moment Bubbleshark if I may ask as I am hunting for a provider with unlimited international calls cheaper then them but cant find one.
For international calls, I have skype and bought some credit thanks to the woolworth deal few weeks ago. I went to aldi mobile XL plan.
As I said, they aren't so bad price wise, but I don't like to be taken for a fool by changing a 30 days period bill to a 28 days … Why not 27 or 27.5 next time, I feel it's arbitrary, just to raise their stock price …
Have you checked out Boost? Unlimited $40 has international calls.
Maybe not a deal breaker but make sure you consider that Virgin charge 5.2 cents per meg if you accidentally go over for the month. That's roughly $50/gb when most others now charge $10/gb.
$10 per Gigabyte yes but its in 1GB increments!
That's roughly $50/gb when most others now charge $10/gb.
It's deliberate opportunism, and reason enough to avoid them on a matter of principle.
You know something stinks when even Telstra thinks the practice is unfair.
None of it is "fair" IMO. Telstra charge people $10 when they exceed their limit by just a few MBs. That would only cost 15 cents with Virgin. Makes it difficult to use the full limit with Telstra, you worry that if you go over even slightly they hit you for $10.
A simple fix would be to charge 5cents per MB, but cap it at $10 per GB. Best of both worlds. But they would all lose a fortune - they don't want it to be fair.
Also, they should let you choose whether you want per MB, per GB, or just get your data cut off entirely. You could have a setting in your online account page.
So do we have to go in store to get 10gb data?
Yeah you gotta download it to your phone in real time
You can do it online too! Sales chat is still online if you want to hit them up, might be able to get an additional 1gb too
Actually I have got the same plan but got 12GB. Had this offer a year ago.
I liked their Red Plans before they scrapped it .. a bit of a shame to give some x minutes instead of unlimited international minutes Just saying .. as its being a trend with all major telcos now
When it says "offer ends August 29th", does that mean the bonus 7gb ends then too?
Further Bonus Data on $40 SIM Plan: available when you sign up before 29 August 2016. You will receive a further bonus 3GB on top of your monthly data allowance (to use in Oz and in addition to other bonus data you’re eligible for) until you cancel or change plans.
And I just confirmed with tech that the 10GB stays until you end or change your plan.
Ok cool, thanks
just signed up to OVO 8g for $34.95
not sure i trust virign, bad rep.
I went onto the OVO 50gb per month for $59. Its been great in Brisbane
Awesome deal. No-contract and data rollover are the biggest positives. Would only be wary if you have poor reception on the Optus network.
Virgin also lacks in carrier perks, such as
Telstra: Thanks, Air, Apple Music, free streaming on apple music/netflix(conditional),
Optus: perks, EPL, etc. (and -$10 if you use Optus broadband)
Don't forget about those sorts of inclusions in other packages - they can make their contracts worthwhile!
You can add Vodafone- $5 per day Roam Like Its Home (Overseas Roaming)
Also Vodafone have their $5 a day international roaming (and free in NZ!). While this may not be as useful to some people as the other deals, this has saved me hundreds over the past few years. If you're in a country for under a week and have a large data limit it's a lifesaver.
$100 less of international credit than the last time they had $40 for 10Gb earlier in the year. $200 down from $300 but still a ripper deal!
Signed up to the $40 plan when it had 7GB of data two days ago. Sim's in the post, I chatted a rep and they said I should be able to get the 10GB, I just have to call up when I activate. Wish me luck!
What am I missing? The linked page says 7gb per month which is 3gb plus 4gb bonus for the $40 plan. How do you get 10gb per month?
Good luck, pataguila.
I just changed my plan to this new offer through their live chat.
I was on the old $40 Postpaid Sim only plan with 7GB data. Now I'm on the same $40 postpaid plan with 10GB data :)
I prefer Optus share data over Virginmobile rollover data usage. In my opinion, the rollover is just marketing, if I am a light user then I will never use the rollover data and if I am a heavy user then I don't have any data to rollover, this makes rollover being that rare occasion where it is available and I need to use it. Regardless 10GB is pretty good.
It shows 7GB for me?!?
Clear cache? I see 10Gb.
Shows 7gb for me too. Cleared cache. No difference. This is a copy and paste of the text -
CHOOSE A SIM PLAN
$40/mth
7GB
TOTAL DATA
3GB included data +
4GB bonus
Offer now ends 29 Aug 2016.
On phone and home computer showed the $40 deal. Was using work computer before - no dice.
I am on mobile, so I cleared the Safari's cache and … voila it's working now!!! Thank you.
Is this a new plan/deal.?
Been with Virgin on 10gb/$40 month to month post paid since Feb
Its not new per se, but it was not available soon after feb. Its now back on again. I too am on this deal way back. fyi before this promo, the $40 was for 7Gb.
goodbye amaysim - its been nice but this is nicer.
thanks OP!
Im done with 24 month contracts from now on. Just pick up a byo plan like this with a $200 Xiaomi and you're set
Is it unmetered watching Netflix like using optus? since it is using the optus network?
Live Chat said "Yes"
For those who wants to know and save their 30 secs according to KBZ.
Doesn't sound right as even for Optus Netflix is only unmetered on more expensive plans or with a $10 per month additional fee on cheaper plans. See https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/262469
Please ignore my Live Chat's answer, the answer is "no" from existing customers.
Netflix hasn't been unmetered for me using Virgin Mobile
Just letting everyone know that Virgin doesn't have visual voicemail.
Might be a deal breaker for some
which telco's have visual voicemail? is it only telstra and vodafone?
2ez, took 30 secs on Live Chat.
good on you.
Current wait time is 05:10 for live chat.
Woo hoo! Got my $40/7GB plan upgraded via live chat!
i am still on 89$/month HTC m9 phone 2 year plan from 2015.
WITH 1GB per-month.
i almost never use 4G data due to this. very occasionally i use it on the go.
and almost always i hit 1.2~1.4GB. and get extra charged for 10$ :(
have u tried contacting them to see if you can upgrade the plan you are on to get the data offered on the same priced plan? My brother was on vodafone $60 1.5gb from 2014, i looked up what the $60 plan now was and it was 3gb + 1 bonus new customer. Managed to get the data upgrade and the bonus as he was continually paying $20 p/m for data packs and they never contacted him to upgrade the plan. Virgin sounds like they could be accomodating too.
Stuff these guys, they made the biggest dogs breakfast of my accounts with them, couldn't sort it out if their lives depended on it, had to cut my losses and port out.
*I understand ppls opinions are formed by their own experiences and may vary wildly.
But for me, no way in hell.
Been on this plan for a while as the 10gb data is good value. My experiences so far:
1) coverage is mostly OK
2) coverage on the northern line in sydney suburbs is absolute trash in the morning AM commute. I have no data 80% of the trip. Helps if i go on and off aeroplane mode. The same route is fine in the afternoon. I assume its congestion in the tower and Virgin customers get lower priority.
3) The WORST of all. Recently when i get added to a group call there is a loud beep every 1-2minutes. Its a privacy measure to let you know that there are others on the line. However at first they just had a verbal announcement, 'you are now in a group call' - now its a really irritating beep.
If youre at all on conference calls you may want to avoid Virgin as its irritating as hell. I asked on phone and FB and both said nothing can be done about it. It's out of their control..
Thanks for the fyi. Northern line with Vodafone from chatswood to hornsby is normally pretty good except for Cheltham. Always a black spot there.
FYI, I live in Cheltenham and using Vodafone, I got excellent reception for the whole trip to city. I had optus before and it was terrible.
It was only the train station always had a black spot there for some reason. Went thru 3 modems and similar results. Once into the tunnel it's pretty good again
No worries. Wasn't always like this, but in the last ~6 months its been unusable. Can be really frustrating…
Have to agree, Voda was so much better than Optus on that trip. I have heaps more data now that I'm with Optus but can't use it when I want to! They really need to sort this out asap.
Optus has always been the crappiest network in Northern Sydney and the CBD.
Optus being so crap contributed to people bailing onto vodafone and creating vodafail.
Sweeeet, just updgraded from $29/month prepaid with 2gb. Going to be in heaven with 10gb!
Seems like the $200 international credit doesn't have any limitations? you can use it to call anywhere?
Damn only thing holding me back is no data pooling.
Virgin Mobile did a data pooling survey a few months ago… Might see it on the horizon for 2017…
Can someone confirm when the credit card is charged for the first month?
Is it upon checkout? Or is it when you activate the Sim?
Your credit card will be charged on the due date of your first bill, which will you receive a week or two after activation.
Virgin is Richard Branson joint, the coverage is Optus's though