•    Optus network
•    Covers 97% of the Australian population
•    Offers a range of SIM-only and handset included plans

iPrimus Mobile offers a range of simple SIM-only and postpaid plans with handsets available on the Optus network, which covers 97% of the Australian population. Customer and technical support are based entirely in Australia.

Pros

Optus network covers 97% of Australian population
On-shore customer support

Cons

Handset choice is limited

History

iPrimus is owned by Australian company M2 Telecommunications Group following its sale by US giant Primus Telecommunications Group for $192.4 million in April 2012. Primus Telecommunications (Australia), which later became known as iPrimus, was one of the first telecommunications carriers to be granted a license following full deregulation in 1997.

By 1998, iPrimus was offering internet services in Australia alongside phone services. In 2006, they completed the package by launching a mobile phone service on the Optus GSM network.

Initially launching with a small range of postpaid plans, the mobile division has since expanded its range to include SIM-only plans.

Marketplace

iPrimus is the fourth largest provider of telecommunications services in Australia, although the mobile phone segment is not a major part of the business. Wireless services brought in $0.9 million in revenues for the company in 2010.

Future plans and development

iPrimus has already connected customers in Tasmania to the National Broadband Network (NBN) and plans to compete for more customers across Australia once the network is rolled out nationally.