Optus has concluded a trial of 700MHz 4G services in Bendigo, claiming speeds of up to 70Mbps and transmission distances of 13 kilometres. That’s good news in the long term, particularly for rural areas, but it won’t make any difference right now.
The iPad is now cheaper than ever if you buy it outright, but if you don’t have between $539 and $899 to spare, you can buy the new iPad on a contract. Planhacker looks at everything that’s on offer from Optus, Telstra and Vodafone, but be warned: it’s an expensive way to buy and we don’t recommend it.
Mobile apps have quickly made logging into a website on your phone to check your bank account, monitor stocks or manage your Twitter account a thing of the past — a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Optus. It’s previously had several cracks at the app game and its latest attempt, “My Optus” looks like it could be its best yet.
As we prepare for the expected launch of the iPad 3 this week, it seems appropriate to revisit the available SIM plan deals for iPad owners. Whatever combination of download allowance, network coverage and expiry period you want, Planhacker has it covered.
Optus’ parent company SingTel is restructuring its entire operation. We normally don’t give two hoots about executive structure, but with large-scale changes it’s always worth checking to see if those shifts might alter the actual products we get offered. While it’s early days yet, right now it doesn’t look like Optus customers will see major changes.
Excessive data roaming costs are the bane of every traveller’s life. Optus new Bridge DataRoam Unlimited packs, which offer unlimited data roaming in selected Asian locations, are definitely one of the more appealing solutions we’ve seen.
Telstra launching its plans means that there are now five companies vying for your custom if you’re in an area where the NBN is available. Planhacker covers off all the plans on offer.
Subject to ACCC approval, Optus is going to lay down a hefty chunk of change for Vividwireless. What does that do to Australia’s 4G landscape? Updated: Now with Optus’ clarifications on its announced 4G plans, including what the future holds for 700Mhz LTE.
Optus is buying out mobile broadband provider Vividwireless, a move it says will enable it to build a “faster 4G network”. Based on my own experience of Vividwireless’ sub-optimal service, I suspect its money may have been better spent elsewhere.
A PlayStation 3 console on its own routinely costs $400 or more, so getting one for free with a contract phone could be a good deal. Optus’ online store is offering a free PS3 with three contract handsets.
