Surprise, surprise! Optus has launched Naked DSL to further promote their suite of internet products that don’t require a Telstra based landline. Just last week Optus announced significant growth in their Fusion Phone and Internet Bundle – over 60,000 new subscribers added in the last three months. Fusion provides internet and phone on the Optus network and does not require a Telstra phone line.
What is really interesting, is that Optus is the first of the big telco companies with a significant interest in the landline business, that is willing to cannabalise their existing landline market. One can only assume this is because there is such a significant market demand for Naked DSL as shown by iinet that now has over 50,000 Naked DSL subscribers since November 2007.
Optus Naked DSL Plans vs. iinet and Internode
You will only want to consider Naked DSL with Optus if you bundle with an Optus mobile – hence the links to Optus mobile above! Sign up for your mobile online, so you get the $50 or $100 bonus and once that is done you’ll be an existing Optus customer and you can get started on your Naked broadband application. Without a bundled Optus post-paid mobile, you have to pay a $248 set up fee on every Naked DSL plan as well as pay for your modem. And it’s $10 more expensive each month. It’s just not worth it.
So assuming you have or get an Optus mobile, the entry level plan is $49.99 per month for 7GB of data. There is no set up fee and you also get a basic modem for free. So if you are after a zero cost set up, then Optus could be a good option for you. 7GB is reasonably generous considering it can be used any time – Optus doesn’t have peak and off peak times. iinet gives 4GB (2GB peak + 2GB off peak) for the same price. Both Optus and iinet include uploads in the data allowance. Internode provides 5GB of any time usage on their $49.95 plan and do not include uploads in the data allowance.
The next Optus plan up is 15GB for $59.99 per month, once again with no set up fee and a free modem if you bundle your post-paid mobile. iinet offers 16GB (8GB + 8GB) for the same price and Internode gives 10GB. The Optus plans offer a very competitive amount of data for the low $49.99 and $59.99 plans and are quite similar to iinet and Internode.
The highest Optus Naked DSL plan is 30GB for $99.99 per month, with free set up and a free Wi-Fi modem. other than the free Wi-Fi modem, this plan fails to hit the mark. Internode offers 55GB for the same price and iinet offers 100GB (40GB + 60GB) for only $89.95 per month. So unless a free Wi-Fi modem and free set up is the deciding factor for you, Optus will not have the best plans for high use Naked DSL customers.
Summary of Optus Naked DSL Plans and Deals
Optus has really good value plans at the $49.99 and $59.99 price points, if you are happy to bundle your mobile with them. If you don’t want to bundle your mobile, then forget Optus. Optus also doesn’t have a VoIP landline replacement option, so if you have a landline number that you want to keep, then iinet would be the best option.
If you need a lot of uploads and don’t want them eating into your data allowance then Internode or Exetel would be better options. Also in Optus’ favour is that there are no peak and off peak times – just use the data any time you want. The free set up and free modem is also the best Naked DSL offer we have seen for getting started for no upfront cost.
Congratulations to Optus on the decision to move into Naked DSL – it is a progressive, customer-focused move. Optus is bound to lose fixed line revenues from many customers, but they have positioned their new plans to capitalise on their strong range of Capped Mobile plans. Where iinet, Internode and Exetel are focused on Naked DSL plus VoIP, Optus is focused on Naked DSL plus Mobile. It’s an interesting strategy, but one that will draw a specific market niche to Optus and also increase Mobile usage and billing on the Optus network.
If you’re thinking of bundling Optus Naked DSL, then you might want to check some of the latest Optus Mobile Deals:
- Optus iPhone Deals
- Optus HTC Dream Deals (Google Android Phone)
- Optus Timeless Plans
- Optus $19, $49, $59, $79 Cap Plans with ‘yes’ Time
- Optus Mobile Phones
Order your mobile online from Optus and get a bonus $50 or $100 credit!
