Potential Cheap Mobile Broadband even compared to NBN? (Optus)

trustnoone on 15/09/2019 - 14:11
Last edited 15/09/2019 - 16:13

Hi everyone, was just thinking of moving out of my current plan ($90 a month on Optus for Unlimited at 1.5MBPS) and had a random thought and interested if anyones tried it or forsees issues?

Basically the good high end mobile broadband's I know of are

  • $90 month for unlimited on vivid (now optus)
  • $65 month for 200gb of data on Optus
  • $85 month for 500gb of data on Optus

But was looking at the new Optus 5G mobile deal is:

  • $70 for unlimited on Optus 5G

Which I wish I could get, but I don't have 5G serviceable area, but reading the Optus FAQ for the 5G Mobile Broadband basically:

When it is available, to access the Optus 5G network you will need a compatible device and Optus plan. Outside of 5G coverage areas, compatible devices will switch to the Optus 4G or 3G Network.
https://yescrowd.optus.com.au/t5/Broadband-Telephony/5G-Home…

Now does this mean, I can get 4G high speed internet essentially, unlimited at $70 a month so even cheaper? Am I missing something here?

To add to this, 4G speeds are I think 20MBps to 50MBps which means its almost cheaper then NBN, using Aus broadband for comparison:

  • $69 a month for around 22Mbps
  • $79 a month for around 43Mbps

I was thinking of contacting Optus but unsure if I'm essentially giving away a loophole in a way, also last time I asked Optus what speed I get for current plan (as I knew vivid was capped), the only response I got was "4G" its "4G" and didn't understand what MB/s was.

Cheers!

Internet Mobile Broadband Plan

Comments

  • rookie317 on 15/09/2019 - 15:55

    Well what is your question here?
    It’s not that surprising that 5G mobile broadband can compete with NBN in terms of both speed and price, 4G can already somewhat do that if carriers want it to (it’s not that hard tbh)
    Think of this as a trial run for Optus, they want to gauge public interest, capacity performance etc so $70 pm is quite fair, you do get locked in a 24m contract which is quite long though.
    And the problem is you are not in a 5G serviceable area, so you will have to register the plan at somewhere that is. Furthermore, remember you are only guaranteed 50Mbps (yes small b) on a 5G connection, if you move the device to your place for a 4G connection, Optus can throttle you like hell and nothing you can do about it. Let’s say you get a 10Mbps on 4G, not so cheap now is it?
    Oh and I think you might be confused about MB and Mb, both ABB plans you mentioned are Mb (Megabit).
    So my thought is it’s certainly worth a shot for 5G mobile broadband but only if it’s available for you.

    • trustnoone on 15/09/2019 - 16:19

      Thanks and apologies you're right its not the best worded, I guess what I'm wondering is, even at 4G speeds this seems like the fastest cheapest unlimited broadband available, but it outstretches the competitors by quite a bit so I'm skeptical I'm understanding it correctly.

      For me I'm paying $90 a month for 1.5MBps I could move to this which is $70 a month and just use the 4G aspect and never touch 5G (until it comes into my area). You're right I didn't think that Optus would throttle me, although at 50mbps its still better then the $90 I'm paying now, even with no coverage to 5g.

      Also thanks for the ABB plans, I fixed it up, cheers!

      • rookie317 on 15/09/2019 - 16:28

        No apology necessary :)
        Like I said it's certainly worth a shot $70pm for a 50Mbps Unlimited mobile broadband plan.
        But let me reiterate that 50Mbps is only guaranteed for the 5G connection, if you have no coverage to 5G connection then there is no guarantee at all so you could in theory get 10Mbps and that would certainly be very expensive at $70 pm actually. If you get locked in 24m contract and figure that out, by then it's already too late because you cannot claim your refund with Optus or anyone for that matter.
        The 4G fall-back is meant to be just that, a fall-back when there is no 5G connection so I would assume that Optus has measures in place to make sure it doesn't compromise their 4G mobile/broadband customers. I could be wrong and you could get full 4G speed though. There's no way to know until someone tries.

  • Chippy47 on 16/09/2019 - 23:26

    Im currently using OVO mobile broadband which uses the Optus network. It’s pretty good and pricing is good too for prepay. I think there is cashback via ShopBack or Cashrewards also, there was when I signed up.

    https://ovo.com.au/products/broadband

    I’m pretty sure vivid is throttled also.

  • AnonymousBargainer on 18/09/2019 - 07:47

    Exetel home wireless broadband. 250gb for $39.99

    Limited to 12/1mbps however. Optus 4G network.

    https://www.exetel.com.au/broadband/home-wireless

  • MELso on 22/09/2019 - 10:26

    Jeenee offers 250GB for $60 on a 12 month contract with uncapped speeds…

    https://www.jeenee.org.au/products/data-sims-2/

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