It looks like Telstra and Vodafone are no longer the only iPhone 3G carriers down-unda. With Telstra recently announcing that they’ll be offering the iPhone 3G to anyone looking for a Vodafone-alternative, Optus has thrown their hat in to the ring with the announcement that they’ll be hocking iPhone 3G’s to Aussies as well.
Optus will be offering both pre-paid and post-paid iPhone 3G plans, giving them a hands up on the post-paid competition. But, as you’d expect from non-contract and pre-paid handset offerings, Optus will be asking a hefty chunk of change for a pre-paid iPhone 3G – to the tune of $729 and $849 for an 8GB or 16GB iPhone 3G, respectively. Optus pre-paid offers wireless minute re-charges starting at $30, with bundled data starting with the $40 Turbo Cap pre-paid re-charge tiers.
On the post-paid side of Optus’s iPhone 3G rate plans, we are seeing Optus offering their iPhone 3G handsets for free – sort of. While Optus won’t be offering a subsidized up-front payment for an iPhone 3G, Optus will essentially finance the handset throughout the life of the one- or tw0-year contract. The carrier will ask customers for a monthly “handset repayment” fee ranging from $0 to $61, depending on which “yes” Cap Plan is chosen and whether the iPhone 3G in question is boasting 8GB or 16GB of storage. And, for those Optus customers looking to spend at least $79 every month, Optus is offering free iPhone 3G handsets.
And, not to be left out of the post-paid iPhone 3G-race, Telstra has announced their own iPhone 3G pricing schedule. Starting July 11, Telstra will offer the iPhone 3G on their Next G network for $279 (8GB iPhone 3G) or $399 (16GB iPhone 3G) – with 2-year contract.
Telstra’s Next G iPhone 3G plans start at $30 per month, and subscribers with the $80 rate plan will be offered a free 8GB iPhone 3G. Telstra subscribers can get a 16GB iPhone 3G handset with the $100 Next G iPhone 3G plan.