Optus has thrown down the gauntlet to Telstra with a new $90 broadband package that includes high speed internet broadband, a home phone and Optus TV via a Fetch TV box, it also opens up the possibility for consumers who want Netflix next year to dump the Foxtel aligned Telstra and get unlimited streaming of both Full HD and 4K Netflix content via Optus.
SmartHouse has been told that Fetch TV is close to cutting a deal to bundle Netflix onto their service, which if it happens could see consumers get access to Netflix for around $12 a month in additional cost to the $90 Optus package.
This combination will allow Netflix customers to stream content for no additional cost.
Foxtel is 50% owned by Telstra, and customers who switch to Netflix or run both services face the real risk of additional broadband data costs when accessing Netflix on the Telstra network next year claim analysts.
Streaming in 1080p on Netflix takes up 4.7GB/hour. However, Netflix has 4K content, this quadruple the pixel count, resulting in users of this service burning through 18.8GB/hour.
To help customers Netflix has introduced .265 codec-which cuts the bit rate by about half this means that you will still chew through 7GB of data an hour when viewing 4K content via Netflix
The new $90 deal makes Optus the first major Australian telco to bundle unlimited data, domestic calls and entertainment with an international calling pack for under $100 on a premium high speed network.
The Ultimate Cable Bundle is available to customers serviced by Optus’ Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) cable network.*
Sue Bailey, Vice President of Fixed Products at Optus said, “This ground-breaking offer represents fantastic value for customers serviced by Optus’ high speed cable network. Just as Optus has led the way with mobile plans that give customers the freedom to use data, we’re again shaking things up with this great value, unlimited data and entertainment plan in the home broadband market.”
“This is our best entry-level unlimited data bundle yet, offering customers superfast speeds on our cable network, for less than $100 per month. Now speed and data-hungry customers can get even more out of their broadband connection,” Ms Bailey said.
Stream, talk and watch to your heart’s content
For a limited time, customers in areas serviced by Optus HFC cable network can stream, download, talk and socialise as much as they want with Optus’ Ultimate Cable Bundle.** The plan includes:
Unlimited data: Use as much broadband data as you want each month with no extra charges
Superfast speeds: Optus’ HFC cable plans deliver speeds of up to 30 Mbps, perfect for video streaming and up to 100 Mbps with an added speed pack for an extra $20 per month.
Optus TV with Fetch Entertainment pack: Over 30 channels to keep the whole family entertained including ESPN, Disney Channel and E! Entertainment. Plus record, pause and rewind up to 585 hours of standard definition (SD) digital free-to-air TV with a premium personal video recording (PVR) device, as well as access to 30 pre-selected movies each month and the option to rent over 3000 movies.
No hidden charges or fees: The minimum total cost is $2,160 on a 24 month contract when customers pay by direct debit.
There are no additional connection, delivery or hardware fees.
More international call value at no extra cost
The Ultimate Cable Bundle also comes with generous domestic and international call inclusions, including unlimited international calls to 25 landline and seven mobile destinations. The plan includes:
Generous domestic call allowances: Make unlimited standard local, national and 13/1300 calls to Australian landlines and mobiles.
Unlimited calls to landlines in: Austria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Unlimited calls to mobiles in: Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States of America.
“Unlimited international calls are one of the most popular extras that Optus customers add onto their standard home broadband packages. That’s why international calls to popular landline and mobile destinations come standard with the Ultimate Cable Bundle. So now it’s even easier for customers to stay in touch with loved ones around the world,” Ms Bailey said.
Optus customers can also save $10 off their monthly mobile bill when they bundle their mobile plan with the Ultimate Cable Bundle. Head online to find out more about bundling discounts at www.optus.com.au/shop/bundles/discount/10-dollars.
