Optus has been selling its 4G hotspot to business customers since late July, but now everyone can get in on the action with consumer plans released for accessing Optus’ high-speed LTE network using either a hotspot or a USB dongle. Optus has also set a launch date for 4G services in Melbourne: September 15.
For the hotspot or USB, you have a choice of either a 12 or 24 month contract and 10GB, 15GB or 20GB a month. The device charges are identical whichever plan you sign up for. This is the full breakdown:
| Device | Data | Contract | Plan cost | Device cost | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB | 10GB | 12 | $34.95 | $11.00 | $551.40 |
| USB | 10GB | 24 | $34.95 | $5.50 | $970.80 |
| USB | 15GB | 12 | $54.95 | $11.00 | $791.40 |
| USB | 15GB | 24 | $54.95 | $5.50 | $1,450.80 |
| USB | 20GB | 12 | $74.95 | $11.00 | $1,031.40 |
| USB | 20GB | 24 | $74.95 | $5.50 | $1,930.80 |
| Hotspot | 10GB | 12 | $34.95 | $15.00 | $599.40 |
| Hotspot | 10GB | 24 | $34.95 | $7.50 | $1,018.80 |
| Hotspot | 15GB | 12 | $54.95 | $15.00 | $839.40 |
| Hotspot | 15GB | 24 | $54.95 | $7.50 | $1,498.80 |
| Hotspot | 20GB | 12 | $74.95 | $15.00 | $1,079.40 |
| Hotspot | 20GB | 24 | $74.95 | $7.50 | $1,978.80 |
As well as hotspot and USB options, Optus will offer the Samsung Galaxy S III as a 4G device on contract.
Below is the coverage map for Melbourne (you can see the maps for Sydney and Perth in our earlier post on Optus’ 4G plans):
Optus’ consumer rollout puts in more direct competition with Telstra; the latter has much broader national coverage for 4G but also charges higher data rates. (Both companies are adopting a no-premium approach for 4G data; if you have a suitable device, the charges are the same as for 3G.)
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