Internet Service Providers (ISPs) don’t necessarily want to be in the wider telecommunications game. But due to certain market realities and circumstances, it’s an all-or-nothing world out there. Thanks to the Optus Open Network, just about anyone can provide you with a mobile plan on a network that covers about 97% of the Australian population. But what are the benefits and drawbacks?
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A broadband internet connection has to get from the company to the user by some means of transmission. For most competitive players, that means using Telstra Wholesale copper, otherwise known as the telephone network. This product is called ADSL, and is the cheapest and most widely available means to get a fixed line connection to the internet.
Because you use the same line for a broadband connection as you do a phone voice service, it’s a natural solution to ‘bundle’ these services together – whether you like it or not. Most people who don’t use landlines object to this reality, because they think they’re paying a line rental for a service they don’t use. That’s nonsense. You’re paying line rental because you’re using the line. You’re using it for ADSL. The phone service is bundled in there because the provider wants you to use it, because it generates money. You can get around that problem by not using it.
Nevertheless, this somewhat natural bundle gave rise to other bundles. With Telstra and Optus setting the agenda, the idea now is that the same company should provide Phone. Internet. Mobile. TV. Mobile Internet. Services. It’s all a bid to get you to lock yourself into as many agreements and contracts as possible, with the benefit to you that everything (supposedly) gets put on one easy bill.
It started getting to the point where a simple ISP couldn’t survive against these big bundles, and had to start getting into other parts of the game. That would mean having to install their own mobile network towers, which is hugely expensive and difficult. Or, it would mean buying space on an existing network at a wholesale price, and reselling to consumers at a slight markup. Sometimes, with no markup- for some providers, losing money by providing a mobile plan is necessary to stay in the overall telecommunications game, where they can make more money in broadband and other services. These re-sellers became known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators, or MVNOs.
Optus is the main wholesale provider. In fact, if you’re with anyone that isn’t Telstra, Vodafone or TransACT (who are Vodafone’s only wholesale customer), then you’re on the Optus network. Vodafone’s network woes have driven them out of that market, and Telstra jealously guards its NextG network (though Vodafone has been improving and might start wholesaling again soon, and Telstra has opened their NextG network to wholesale, with no-one on board yet).
So, with most things being equal – that is, with most ISPs using the same Optus network to provide a service – is it worth going with an ISP for a mobile plan? Let’s have a look at some of the big MVNOs.
TPG 
TPG brings the same no-frills, big value approach to mobiles as they do with their broadband plans. TPG does not do hardware, so this is strictly BYO phone.
Super Value Starter - $10 a month, with $180 call credit and 250MB of data for smartphone users.
Super Value Medium - $18/month, with $550 call credit and 1.5GB of data. This is probably the sweet spot plan.
Super Value Heavy - $35/month, $1000 value and a big 3GB of data.
The usual caveats apply – 25c SMS, 50c MMS. The flagfall for every call is 35c, and the per minute rate is an eye-watering 90c a minute- but that’s all standard now. So you may as well go for a no contract plan like this and get your money’s worth.
As with any plan, be careful about monitoring your data usage. TPG charges 25c/mb, or $256 a GB. And they’re one of the reasonable ones.
For more info on TPG mobile plans, call us on 1300 106 571.
Dodo
Dodo prides itself on beating everyone else on price when it comes to Broadband, so let’s see how their mobile plans stack up.
Flexi Mobile Plans - $10/month, with $100 value and 500MB. There’s also $1000 included value for Dodo-to-Dodo calls. The Flexi plans go up by $10 and add $100 value each time, until you get to $50, where you get everything Unlimited except 13 and 18 numbers, and $60, where you get those included as well. You also get 2.5GB or the $50 plan and 5GB on the &60 plan.
Good plans, but have that complicated feel that make you feel like they’re gonna ‘get you’ somehow. And the excess data usage is 50c/MB. That’s $512/GB. Ouch. Also, minimum 6 month contract.
One area where Dodo beats most other ISPs in the mobile space is that they can provide handsets. iPhones aren’t on offer, but big phones like the Nokia Lumia 800, Samsung Galaxy Note and Motorola RAZR are. Dodo also have some pretty stellar deals that throw in free TVs and game consoles. Give Dodo a call on 1300 136 793 for more info.
Club Telco
Club Telco have done a good job of distinguishing themselves from the competition when it comes to Broadband, offering just two speeds – 10GB or Unlimited – and managing to do it without contracts and other tricky maneuvers. Their mobile plans seem to stick to the same principles.
Club 20 Cap - $20/month, $200 credit and 500MB data. Meh. Nothing too exciting.
Club 30 Cap - $30/month, $500 credit and 1GB data. Not bad.
ClubMega Cap - $60/month, Unlimited calls and text, including 13/1800 numbers. 3GB data. Pretty good! Waitaminnit….$100 of free international calls?!?
So good on Club Telco for filling a gap in the market, as more and more international students and visitors look for a mobile that allows them to make international calls without huge penalties. And also- these all come without a contract.
Call Club Telco on 1300 138 155 for more info on their mobile plans.
Conclusion – Going with an ISP for a mobile plan might actually be an even BETTER option for those people who already have a phone and just need a month-to-month option that isn’t prepaid. Prepaid can get a little messy, especially if you forget to recharge. A monthly plan that sends a bill and doesn’t get too restrictive with contracts is easier to find with the ISPs, probably because the mobile customer is not their bread and butter- most of their mobile customers are already broadband customers. So the ISPs can afford to be a bit more generous.
Other internet providers with mobile plans:
TransACT – 1300 302 514
iPrimus – 1300 137 794