• expired

Free Home Broadband with Optus $89 Timeless Plan and HTC One X

31

New deal that has just started appearing in papers and in magazines from today.

The Deal: A Free 50GB Home Broadband Connection when you buy a range of phones on the $89 Unlimited Plan including the HTC One X.

The only problem with the deal is that as a headline offer, it does not appear as a sexy deal.

BUT, and this is a serious BUT, we've had a look it in close detail and we've discovered that it does off some pretty amazing value. We got the heads up on this late on Friday night and have been trying to look for the best value saving in the deal (disclosure - we are a comparison site and we have commercial relationships with all the telcos including Optus).

Here's the best way we can cut it for maximum value. Assess the phone and plan costs and the equivalent costs for Broadband and come up with a saving…

The total cost of the deal over 24 months is $2,136 and you get three main components.

1 Phone: The HTC One X has received glowing reviews as the best Android phone on the market right now (open for discussion of course). It has an RRP of $669 on Mobicity.

2 Plan: You get unlimited mobile phone plan for $89 per month with 2GB of data.

3 Bonus Broadband Plan: You get a 50GB per month Naked Broadband plan for 24 Months whilst you have the timeless plan.

The key part of the offer is the Free 50GB Home Broadband. The closest equivalent broadband plan to this is going to be $49.99 per month for Naked Broaband for 50GB of peak allowance which is going to set you back for $1,199 over 24 months so this is significant incentive if you can ditch your existing ISP for the 24 months and just use this free connection.

How it Works…when you get the Timeless plan deal, you just ditch your existing ISP and your broadband is moved to Optus and you get 50GB of usage for 24 months whilst you have the $89 Timeless plan. Remember that this is a Naked Broadband plan you'll get. At the end of 24 months, you can leave and get your own standalone broadband connection again with another ISP or Optus will move you on to another equivalent broadband plan. Remember that this is a Naked Broadband plan so you'll have no home phone calls included, but you do have an Unlimited mobile plan so just use the mobile plan for all your calling needs.

COST ANALYSIS

Total Cost of the deal is $2,136 which gives you all three components.

Minus $669 for the free phone.

Minus $1,199 for the free broadband

This means there is $1,868 of incentives for a total cost of $2136.

So, this means that you are getting an unlimited plan with 2GB of data for $268 which is just $11.16 per month for 24 months. That looks like a very good deal.

Mod: Linked directly to Optus. Annotated affiliate links.

Related Stores

Optus
Optus

closed Comments

  • -5

    Note with Naked broadband you will actually lose your home phone number
    Note with Optus Cable this will REPLACE your copper phone line so you can't have 2 services at once. During the install process for Optus Cable (not Telstra), they will physically sever the copper line, making it an expensive reconnection if you wish to change providers such as ADSL. Be prepared for a long term commitment with Optus at least until NBN is in your area with Optus. One the plus side Cable is very fast, faster than ADSL with speed pack, and fairly reliable so you probably won't want to change.

    • +4

      WRONG . They do not sever Telstra's copper line, Optus cable doesn't "replace" anything. Where would you even get such a ridiculous idea that another carrier would sever another carriers infrastructure, that's so illegal its not funny.

      • RIGHT
        A quick googling:
        http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1308934

        When my parents installed Optus Cable, they cut the leadin on the CUSTOMER side (not Telstra's side) and rewired the socket to go through Optus. They also are not paying Telstra to keep the line connected at the exchange so Telstra are free to physically unplug the pair at the exchange if they want to.

        Same thing for all the other installs I've seen.

        If they want to go back to Copper they will need the socket rewired back to Telstra and then $125 connection fee as a technician is required to reconnect the pair at the exchange. $299 if you want Telstra to reconnect their line to the socket too (instead of getting a private tech connect the socket to the line).

        I've been through this.

        • -1

          Another thread with more detail:

          http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1388770

          I'm sure if you asked the Optus technician nicely to leave the main socket connected he will be nice enough but this is the standard practice

        • I don't understand, what does cable have to do with the phone line? Here the cable runs down from the roof but the phone line comes in from the basement. The cable is currently inactive as I left Bigpond Cable years ago.

        • If you are only getting a naked broadband internet connection it is coaxial cable and not a twisted pair cable, Hence it is not connected to a telephone RJ type wall outlet, in fact it is impossible to connect the two together. So under this plan the Telstra cable, socket etc stay unchanged.

        • WRONG.

          Optus broadband cable has NOTHING to do with telephone lines or sockets.

        • -1

          With Telstra cable they only use the cable for Internet/Foxtel and leave the copper line for phone.

          With Optus cable they use cable for Internet/Foxtel/TV

          When Optus install, if they left the socket intact to Telstra, the general customer would complain because they would be left with dead sockets, it is more expensive to replace the socket with a double socket or install a new socket, and Optus aren't in the business of giving customers a way out to leave.

          Because they take over the connection from the exchange as part of the process, to have the copper line activated but to keep cable as well, this would be considered a "new line" … $299. If you go through Optus for a "new line", the "free connection" doesn't apply, they charge you as an additional line.

          If you don't believe me, you are free to check with Optus directly

        • But they are not offering a home phone service in this offer so does that apply?

        • -1

          https://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/bundles/freebroadban…

          "+FREE 50GB Broadband Offer: You will receive 50GB of home broadband usage for free, when you sign up or recontract your existing service to the Optus Home Advantage plan over 24 months."

          Home Advantage plan is $59.95 per month. This deal is NOT even Naked.

        • Stop commenting Smeg. The cable internet install has NOTHING to do with phone sockets. This deal has NOTHING to do with home phones.

  • When I go to the Optus site I can't seem to find the free naked broadband offer?
    Found the link…thanks!

  • +3

    Let's crunch the figures another way.

    50GB cable or naked ADSL broadband = $50 (probably less with some lesser known providers)
    Unlimited mobile = $40 (e.g. Amaysim)

    That's $90. So you are getting a free HTC One X over 24 months. Given the rapidly dropping smartphone prices, whether it's worth tying yourself to Optus for 24 months in light of The Land of Smeg's comment is a matter for discussion.

    Smeg, do you know what happens if there is already cable to the premises? Do they still insist on cutting the copper line? Has the whiff of sabotage to me.

    • +4

      NO copper lines are cut, he is on another planet

      • +1

        I never specifically requested anything during install and they put the optus socket 30cm's away from the telstra one. When I went back to telstra I had to pay the connect fee but not an install one. The guy came over though but just looked at the socket and said all good.
        edit actually I think I remember he opened up the socket and checked the signal strength, but again I paid the connect fee only.

        • -1

          He wanted to check it because it is common for it to be cut when Optus install it. Luck of the draw that the installer didn't feel like doing it that way

    • +1

      That was the maths going through my head too…

      $40 unlimited Amaysim plan comes with 4Gb of data and doesn't tie you down to a contract.

      I'm on MyNetFone's $49.95 100GBpeak/100GbOffpeak plan which, to me, the extra broadband quota is worth more than getting a HTC One X for free while locking me into a 24 month contract.

    • If someone wanted to pay OVER $31/mon for unlimited mobile service, they could do better with Red Bull Mobile's $365/year (unlimited calls & SMS's -PLUS- 5 GB mobile data)

      They offered only 2 phones to pick from, but you can presumably BYO handset.

      • +1

        Yes but oranges with oranges. Amaysim is Optus network but Redbull is Vodaf***.

  • Good deal IMO. Pity download quota too small and call quota too big for me

  • Optus site does seem to be having some issues right now.

  • +2

    Is the broadband plan upgradeable? Anyone that needs 2GB mobile data is probably going to use a lot more than 50GB on their home broadband.

  • who pays $50 for 50gb worth of net? =.=

    • yeah, previously I was paying $45 for 50GB + 70GB off-peak (all AM hours; Optus).

    • Didn't Internet have people paying $50 for 50 GB, for the -longest- while?

  • Sorry to be a moron, but can someone tell me, maybe in one sentence, what "naked" broadband is? Thanks

    • +1

      Naked = Only internet (broadband) in plan and no home phone line included.

      • Actually, ie, where there's an -existing- landline, it could mean no landline phone -service- (ie, no dial-tone).

        Hard to believe, but I think that may imply NO "000 Emergency" service either!

        [Monopolies can pretty much forget any "social contract" with lone customers.]

        • Actually, if you want to get nit picky, (Bear in mind that the original request was for a simple one line explanation) see:

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_DSL

          "A naked DSL (a.k.a. standalone or dry loop DSL) is a digital subscriber line (DSL) without a PSTN (analogue telephony) service — or the associated dial tone. In other words, only a standalone DSL Internet service is provided on the local loop."

          I.e. what I said, no home phone. Further:

          "Comparison of regular and naked DSL

          In regular DSL, a cable runs from the telephone switch to a piece of equipment called a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) splitter. This splitter separates the DSL and voice bands. Thus the customer will have a dial tone, which allows them to use the telephone line as a regular land line while they are using it to access the Internet on their computer. A cable carrying both services runs from the splitter to the cable head, where it continues on to the customer on outside plant. (See DSLAM.)

          In naked DSL, there is no cable from the telephone switch to the POTS splitter. Thus there is no dial tone on the line. However, the customer could still use the line for regular telephone service through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) instead of the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).

          Naked ADSL2 and ADSL2+ provisioned with "all digital mode" Annex I or Annex J can achieve additional 256 kbit/s of upstream data rate."

          Bear in mind that the request was for a simple one line explanation.

  • I think the 50 GB/mon -wired- broadband is OVERVALUED.

    For $50/mon, a neighbor gets 200 GB/mon ADSL-2+ from Adam Internet (from a short-term deal) and most of their -other= customers pay $50 for 100 GB/mon ADSL-2+


    Doesn't Optus offer 500 GB/mon + home phone & maybe some mobile calls & data, for like $89/mon?

    (Or maybe it didn't incl a mobile service, but included unlimited calls - in AU - from the landline phone.)

  • A more comprehensive & genuine "comparison" site is here:

    The Deal's "comparison" site seems more like a "marketing" site to me.

    Whirlpool's "Broadband Choice" sub-site is a place to see the entire AU marketplace & get feedback from other users of ISP's in it.

  • -1

    DEAL IS WRONG

    50GB BROADBAND IS NOT NAKED, REQUIRES BUNDLING WHICH IS NOT FREE

    https://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/bundles/freebroadban…

    "+FREE 50GB Broadband Offer: You will receive 50GB of home broadband usage for free, when you sign up or recontract your existing service to the Optus Home Advantage plan over 24 months."

    Home Advantage plan is $59.95 per month.

    Also …

    Optus Home Advantage Minimum total cost (with payment by direct debit) over 24 months for Home Advantage and FREE 50GB Home Broadband (with $0 connection and modem delivery) is $1438.80. A $55 fee applies if you require a new phone number.

    Yet I am getting down mods for this

    • Seriously
      https://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/mobilefreebroadband/…

      "Get FREE 50GB Broadband when you bundle with a selected mobile on the $89 timeless plan over 24 months.
      min. total cost is $2,136.00 over 24 months"

      Where does it say you need to bundle the home phone?

      Thats a separate deal.

    • Because you can't read. This deal has NOTHING to do with home phones.

  • Fairly solid bundle for those with no appetite for modern (video) content, not that this would represent many households.

    720p consumes something of 1.8gb/hour.. so approx 1hour for that component [2 GB] + whatever a household might divide by three ways fixed [50 GB/ 3 persons], on average.

    Not saving all that much by what appears a play by Optus ie to have a grab @ those still on $20+/mo for voice data.

    • 0.5 TB@$80 x24 + roll your own mobile, is win for most planners.
  • Few comments here about this being a forced bundle…it is not.

    There are two separate offers on the page at Optus. The $89 Timeless Plan offer which is $89 per month and includes the HTC One X and the 50GB Free Broadband.

    There is another offer on the page which is a home phone offer for $59 call the Home Advantage. These are separate offers as not everyone is keen on a new mobile so they are hedging their bets!

    They are very separate offers. It is very clear (and we've spoken to Optus) that the min cost on the Timeless plan offer is simply $89 * 24 months, plus $9.95 postage. If there was any forced bundling in there, it has to be included in line with AND shown in the minimum cost. It is 50GB of Free Broadband with the Timeless plan and HTC One X. The caveat is that it is Naked Broadband as they are not giving you a home phone service as well. Hope that helps.

  • +1

    this is sure to catch some people out.

    Standard National Video Calls to Australian Mobiles - $1.00 per min + 40c flagfall
    13/1300/1800 30c per minute + 35c flagfall

    and optus call it a timeless plan….pffttt

    i thought timeless meant endless

  • According to the WhistleOut web page it looks like you get two phones free…
    There's a tick next to HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
    -Implies you get one of these phones as part of the deal.

    There's a tick next to Samsung Galaxy S II
    -Implies you get this phone as part of the deal.

    There's a tick next to 50GB broadband.
    -Implies you get this internet as part of the deal.

    Shouldn't the site say:
    HTC One X or Samsung Galaxy Nexus or Samsung Galaxy S II?

    When I first looked at the deal I thought WOW! HTC One X AND Galaxy S II. SIGN ME UP. Then I realised what it actually was.

  • Thanks legiong, we've updated the page to say 'OR'.

Login or Join to leave a comment