Telstra today unveiled new consumer broadband plans that promise faster speeds, higher data allowances and cheaper monthly fees — but only if you bundle other Telstra services with your Internet.
Among the most significant changes include new BigPond entry-level plans that offer 10 times more combined downloads and uploads than previous plans and new high usage plans of 100GB and 200GB per month.
Telstra also confirmed excess usage charges have been removed on most plans, though services are still throttled to 64 kilobits per second once the usage limit has been reached. Speeds vary between plans, with Turbo BigPond plans offering 1500kbps download and 256kbps upload speeds, and Elite plans either 8000kbps download and 384kbps upload or 20,000kbps download and 512kbps upload.
Telstra is heavily pushing bundled plans, with savings of between $20 and $80 per month available by combining multiple eligible Telstra products — such as your home phone or Foxtel — on a single bill.
"Our customers have told us they appreciate cost certainty and simplicity for their multiple home services so we've developed a range of straightforward bundles for their broadband, calling and entertainment needs," said Glenice Maclellan, Acting Group Managing Director, Telstra Consumer. "Our bundles can help customers make significant savings as well as enjoy the benefits that Telstra's services offer for the home."
The majority of the savings only apply to customers who take out a 24-month contract, as apposed to a shorter 12-month contract. In addition, most of the savings can only be achieved by bundling other Telstra services onto a single bill. Standalone prices remain similar to previous plans.
Telstra will be contacting existing BigPond customers and moving them to the updated broadband plans in the coming months, though current customers can move to one of the new BigPond broadband plans on 1 December by changing their plan online.
More information including full pricing details, speeds and minimum costs can be found on Telstra's Web site.
