Optus will offer the 32GB iPhone 3G S for $0 up-front on a $99 timeless plan over 24 months.
Optus is the first Australian telco to announce pricing plans for the Apple iPhone 3G S, which will be launched in Australia on 26 June.
Optus will offer the smartphone on a range of capped plans, but the "hero" offer is the 32GB iPhone 3G S, which will be available for $0 on a $99 Timeless plan over 24 months. The plan includes unlimited standard national calls, text and MMS, plus 1.5GB of mobile data.
The $99 Timeless plan includes a mobile Internet pack. This normally costs users an extra $14.99 per month, but for people who sign up for the plan in the next three months, Optus will credit the fee each month for the duration of the 24-month contract. (Once the contract is up users will have to pay the $14.99 monthly fee.) The offer will apply to new and recontracting customers, though details for the latter will be announced later in the week.
Interestingly, Optus will allow Internet tethering on the $99 Timeless plan at no extra cost. Tethering on Optus' non-Timeless iPhone plans will cost $9.99 extra per month.
Optus consumer manager Michael Smith said part of the reason for the extra tethering charge on most plans was to ensure "we have a quality network going forward".
Optus will also offer the iPhone on a range of 'yes' cap plans, including $19, $49, $59 and $79 caps over 12 or 24 months. The existing 8GB iPhone 3G will continue to be sold alongside the newer iPhone 3G S.
Here is a breakdown of the Optus iPhone 3G S pricing:
| 24-month handset price | 12-month handset price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 'yes' Timeless Plans | |||
| ‘yes’ Timeless $99 Plan when you take the $14.99 Mobile Internet Pack | 8GB | $0 upfront | $21/month | 16GB | $0 upfront | $34/month | 32GB | $0 upfront | $48/month |
| ‘yes’ Timeless $129 Plan | 8GB | $0 upfront | $21/month | 16GB | $0 upfront | $34/month | 32GB | $0 upfront | $48/month |
| 'yes' Cap Plans | |||
| 'yes' $19 Cap iPhone Plan | 8GB | $20/month | $50/month | 16GB | $27/month | $63/month | 32GB | $34/month | $76/month |
| 'yes' $49 Cap iPhone Plan | 8GB | $6/month | $36/month | 16GB | $13/month | $49/month | 32GB | $19/month | $62/month |
| 'yes' $59 Cap iPhone Plan | 8GB | $0 upfront | $31/month | 16GB | $8/month | $44/month | 32GB | $14/month | $57/month |
| 'yes' $79 Cap iPhone Plan | 8GB | $0 upfront | $26/month | 16GB | $3/month | $39/month | 32GB | $10/month | $52/month |
(Prices as of 22 June; for more information visit Optus' iPhone pricing page.)
