Telstra New Sim Only Plans (No more Lock in Contracts) - Step Backwards?

aspirepranesh on 25/06/2019 - 09:15
Last edited 25/06/2019 - 09:16

Just when I thought Telstra were getting competitive with their sim only plans, they do this to update their plans:

https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/sim-only-plans

Starting at a min monthly cost of $50, the selling point seems to be No lock in contracts on the plan with no excess data charges on all plans!

None of the plans have International calls included. The only option is to add the $10 calling pack!

If you want to add a phone, add it to the monthly plan and they are simply dividing the cost of the handset by 24/36 months like how Vodafone have been doing for the last couple of years.

I was with Vodafone for 11 years and just switched to Telstra couple of months ago because of how expensive VF had become in comparison to Optus and Telstra!

I used to work for Telstra myself years ago and I see these new plans only as a step backwards!

Curious to know what you guys think? and why?

Poll Options

  • 11
    Like the new plan structure
  • 75
    Not a fan of the new plan structure
  • 16
    Never cared enough about Telstra plans
Mobile SIM Only Mobile Plan

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Comments

  • Skramit on 25/06/2019 - 09:30
    +5

    It seems Telstra have been taking a real step back lately with their plans and pricing.

    I posted this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/396575 about 6 months ago when I realised it had become cheaper to buy outright and go on a Telstra BYO plan, than get their included MRO plans with a handset. I was pretty surprised back then at that change.

    Coupled with this change you posted, it seems Telstra have really lost the plot when it comes to understanding customers. $50 minimum per month seems ridiculous as their lowest plan. 12 or 24 month plans were never a big deal as long as it was a decent price.

    • bender000 on 27/06/2019 - 20:52

      They're intentionally segmenting the market. Ozbargainers are being pushed to Boost and MVNOs.
      Besides, lost amongst the outrage is the fact that they're not forcing anyone to move to a new plan immediately, you can stay on whatever you're on until it runs out.

  • AssociatedTomGum @ Telstra on 25/06/2019 - 10:09
    -6

    Pre-paid might be the alternative option?

    $30 gets you 20gb (including international calling pack)

    • RM on 25/06/2019 - 10:34
      +2

      20GB Only for first 3 months, then back to 10GB, Plan for 28days.

      Comparing to Aldi L pack for $25, 30days recharge, 14GB with data roll over, international calling incl.

  • jimbobaus on 25/06/2019 - 10:46

    Sadly this is going to become the norm long term.
    Handset manufacturers are not subsidising handsets like they used to and the costs need to be passed on. Also with changes to responsible lending laws the teleco’s need to justify the actual device cost when assessing you for a line of credit. Essentially they are selling you a handset outright with the option to pay it off interest free. I think Vodafone discounts the plan based on the device you choose which is essentially the new version of the handset subsidy passed on to you.

    Example back when the iPhone 5 came out Apple subsidised each handset sold up to $300 which was passed on as “free on the $49 plan” etc. those days are gone. Think from what I read they lucky to give a teleco $100 now (Samsung etc all the same)

    • IMadeYouReadThis on 25/06/2019 - 13:54
      +1

      Handset manufacturers are not subsidising handsets like they used to

      yeah that all make sense but releasing plans without international calls/roaming and then charging $10 a day for roaming, that is definitely a step backwards.

  • AdamFury on 25/06/2019 - 10:49
    +3

    Definitely feels like a step backwards.

    I've still got mine and my families phones on the $39 ($49 - $10) plan with 35GB and peace of mind data included. For $50 I'd be getting less than half that data. What gives!?

    • Skramit on 25/06/2019 - 12:20
      +2

      Yeah it's bizarre.

      I'm on $49 for 65GB
      Wife on $39 for 30GB

      Telstra now saying their best sub $50 plan is 20GB?? WTF

  • ThithLord on 25/06/2019 - 12:34

    These plans are inclusive of the 5G roll out, too, bear in mind. Definitely gone backwards, though, how ridiculous.

    • matt_will_fix_it on 26/06/2019 - 22:09
      +1

      Small and medium plans have an extra fee for 5g (after the free trial)

      • ThithLord on 27/06/2019 - 07:39
        +1

        Yep I should have made that clear

    • 87percent on 25/06/2019 - 13:12
      +5

      How many threads do we need about this?!

    • PinzVidz on 25/06/2019 - 13:25

      lol.

    • Amaris on 25/06/2019 - 13:29
      +1

      No plans with international calling or roaming included! Even without these, there doesn't seem to be any increase in value for money over the plans they replace.

    • IMadeYouReadThis on 25/06/2019 - 13:48
      +1

      These sort of plans probably only work in Canada! Seriously, how can you have only 4 plans and that too without international calls/roaming?

      I hope others (Voda and Optus) don't follow or we will be going backwards…

  • IMadeYouReadThis on 25/06/2019 - 13:52
    +3

    Lets hope, others telcos don't follow Telstra. Unbelievable!!

    • aspirepranesh on 25/06/2019 - 14:07

      Vodafone already have this! That's why I left them after 11 years.

      Looks like Optus is the way to go after my contract expires.

      • IMadeYouReadThis on 25/06/2019 - 16:03
        +2

        Vodafone already have this!

        Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant Telco do offer decent plans with Data and international calling but here Telstra is offering international calls only as an add-on.

        Compare it with Voda plan that I have, I get 50GB data and 500 mins of international calls for a $40 only…

  • b0nd on 25/06/2019 - 14:49
    +4

    For most people, international calling is a must.

    I would never pay $50 for 15 GB and then add $10 for international calling - when I already have a $40 plan with everything included and more data.

  • living4music on 25/06/2019 - 16:27
    +1

    Lucky I changed the JB-Hifi $65/month to Telstra $59/Month ($69 plan but discount $10 for porting in from Optus) yesterday with more inclusion and Data.

  • lachhelix on 25/06/2019 - 17:49
    +1

    Total rip off, even more of an incentive to stay at Optus after porting through the last Note 9 HN deal.
    At least the leasing plans are gone…

  • than89 on 25/06/2019 - 18:25
    +3

    Hey guys, just wanted to point out the follow i saw on a daily telegraph article. I hope this isnt true! Im paying $39 -70gb atm - hoping to keep this for as long as possible!!

    “All existing Telstra customers will have to move to the new plans as part of the pricing overhaul, however, which Mr Penn admitted could take longer than the company’s goal of two years.

    “We’ve got eight million postpaid customers so I’m sure there will be some cohorts of customers where more engagement will be required to ultimately move them across,” he said.”

    Source: Daily Telegraph

    • avendr on 27/06/2019 - 13:34

      If they force, customers will move to other Telco.

      • burningrage on 28/06/2019 - 22:11

        I have just been to Optus and Voda. Usually, they have deals plastered on their window shop but today I can only see 20% off Optus if you do bundling (or volume discount) and $45 for students at Voda. For JB Hifi, only plan $65 was being sold over there (or at least from what I can see).

        Triopoly effect I suppose? :-)

  • burningrage on 25/06/2019 - 20:06

    There is an article that suggests the new pricing hasn't flowed onto the in-store system as yet so locking into 1-2 years at current plan could be possible but you only have 1 day to do this.

  • farknos on 26/06/2019 - 09:48
    +1

    Looks like i will be staying on Boost

  • haemolysis on 26/06/2019 - 13:31
    -1

    I'm not too concerned about international calls. I would guess barely anyone besides business customers really care nowadays. I know some people seem to be outraged but surely they did a lot of focus groups for that change and really, who isn't using some sort of social app and getting a better international line quality anyway.

    But the data has been slashed! Yeesh.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2019 - 15:39

    We have 3 x Business sims for $39 with 7gb data shared each, mine has a $10 calls to 45 countries pack on it. Hopefully can stick with these or will be paying extra $33 a month for the $50 plans. Not the end of the world but dont need the extra data.

    Is Apple music still free data streaming on new plans?

  • LikeMike on 26/06/2019 - 18:24

    Here's what News Crap…I mean what News Corp has to say about it:

    https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/money/are-they-…

  • miicah on 26/06/2019 - 18:28

    Just go on Telstra prepaid. $30/month for 10gb, why would you ever go on a plan?

    If you can't afford a phone outright, look outside your standard iPhone/Samsung flagship, there are tons of amazing phones around $250-$300

  • burningrage on 27/06/2019 - 22:07

    What happen with JB Hifi phone plan then?

    I noticed the stores have updated their pricing plan.

  • MitchyD1989 on 28/06/2019 - 12:02
    +1

    I used to work for Telstra myself years ago

    Don't forget to claim your 10% Alumni discount.

  • Ryxxi on 15/07/2019 - 07:37
    -1
    Merged from New Telstra Plans Suck

    Unilimited data plan for $199 gone..prolly because they dont want people using it on the 5G.

    It looks like Telstra wants us to pay for addons.

    5G is $15 a month on top of mobile plan
    Same with International roaming, its a addon now and u dont get anything with just the plans, which you used to get before.
    No Free international calls and SMS. Its a $10 addon now.

    Plans Also cost an insane amount now.

    For 5G 512GB Samsung S10 its $93 for the phone for 2 years and Plan is separate.

    So for 60GB $60 plan and a the phone you will be paying $2232 for the phone and $1440 for the plan , that's $3.6k over 24months.

    they seemed to have removed new phone feeling as well

    • Rukiata on 15/07/2019 - 08:13
      +10

      So? Move on and dont support them so they have to make it cheaper since no one will go with them?

    • Ryanek on 15/07/2019 - 08:14
      +2

      They seem to be the only major carrier that doesn't let you share data either.

    • JimmyF on 15/07/2019 - 08:15
      +5

      New Telstra Plans Suck

      Then sign up with someone else.

    • jjjaar on 15/07/2019 - 09:04
      +5

      They always sucked if their network wasn’t important to you.

      • Rockets84 on 15/07/2019 - 09:38

        This. If you need regional coverage then Telstra is the choice but otherwise go else where for value for money.

      • kipps on 15/07/2019 - 19:34

        I don’t know about that. The old plans made Vodafone look expensive by comparison. These new plans are expensive.

    • bloom on 15/07/2019 - 09:33

      I feel each point deserves a separate thread :)

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