Oh dear, Optus does it again: "unlimited" doesn't mean unlimited

Renai LeMay
28 April 2010, 7:11 PM


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A dictionary was delivered to us by courier today unexpectedly, with one word's definition mysteriously highlighted.


The APC office was a little surprised this afternoon when a courier appeared and handed us a copy of The Little Oxford English Ditcionary & Thesaurus. I mean, I know that we make the odd spelling mistake, like everyone does, but wasn’t someone taking it a little seriously? An agitated sub-editor somewhere?

But when we opened the dictionary, we realised it wasn’t out spelling the sender was concerned about. It was the contentious definition of “Unlimited”.

Optus yesterday launched several new broadband plans it described as “Unlimited”. But quite a few people disagreed with that definition. Those who read the fine print discovered the "unlimited" plans throttle down your speed to dial-up-like speeds after 100GB or 200GB depending on the plan. It appears that AAPT disagrees with Optus' description of "unlimited" too.

Oh dear, Optus. Looks like the ball’s in your court. AAPT’s PR chief Tahn Shannon has a point — do your “Unlimited” plans meet the Little Oxford English Dictionary & Thesaurus‘ definition -- or the ACCC's?

Delimiter with additional reporting by Dan Warne


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adros47 (New user):

Ha! AAPT doesn't have unlimited 24/7 plans either. They only have unlimited off-peak. The fibber fibs the fibber!

28 April 2010, 7:29 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

Keep looking - They do have one, but it's not obvious on the website (not sure why - I guess they figure those who want it are on it already).

http://www.aapt-broadband.com.au/unlimited-broadband-music-downloads/24-7-unlimited-bundle

28 April 2010, 7:38 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

BN (New user):

HOW is 256k dial up speeds ? LOL
Dial up was 56k at its peak.....1 fifth of the speed which optus cap people at.

Now sure I wouldn't call 256k broadband generally its not dial up either is it.

28 April 2010, 8:03 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Lamboman007 (User):

According to the Little Lamboman007 English Dictionary and Thesaurus, 256k broadband has two names, dialband and broad up. Hope that helps :)

30 April 2010, 6:39 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

BN (New user):

As for AAPT "Unlimited Downloads
2am-8am EST/EDT"

Even thier plans are limited to off peak times

28 April 2010, 8:07 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

As I said above, they do have them. They just aren't heavily advertised.
http://www.aapt-broadband.com.au/unlimited-broadband-music-downloads/24-7-unlimited-bundle

29 April 2010, 9:47 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

djsflynn (APC staff):

Oh, that's VERY nicely done, AAPT - subtle, clever, effective and rousing the journalists rather than sledging Optus. 10/10 for that little PR maneuver! :>

28 April 2010, 8:25 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Phred (User):

Quoting djsflynn:
subtle, clever, effective and rousing the journalists

ha ha... Almost passive aggressive, and some free advertising thrown in


29 April 2010, 6:48 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

mrfurion (New user):

How is TPG's $75 per month Unlimited plan less unlimited than AAPT's? I guess it's only available from some exchanges, but that's not the issue in this debate.

29 April 2010, 8:51 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Paul K (New user):

TPGs purchase of PIPE really does put it in a commanding position. Telstra's has had it's opportunity to gain brand loyalty over the last decade and a half, but they have squandered it through shortsightedness and legalised rippoffs.

29 April 2010, 9:11 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

benj_79 (New user):

"But when we opened the dictionary, we realised it wasn’t out spelling.."

Haha! Of all the lines to make a spelling mistake, you chose that one.


29 April 2010, 9:33 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne (Regular user):

Deliberate methinks :)

29 April 2010, 11:37 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TheC (New user):

Well... techinically Optus did no lying, for the capped plan is "without" limit, merely restricted by speed, up to 20mb/s (cable) until u use up ur limit, then its dial up speed afterwards. That being said, dial up is techinically unlimited too...
if we go by the dictionary definition, we would need to be able to pull an infinite amount of data in an instant, which i believe is technologically impossible.

29 April 2010, 6:24 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TheC (New user):

Well... techinically Optus did no lying, for the capped plan is "without" limit, merely restricted by speed, up to 20mb/s (cable) until u use up ur limit, then its dial up speed afterwards. That being said, dial up is techinically unlimited too...
if we go by the dictionary definition, we would need to be able to pull an infinite amount of data in an instant, which i believe is technologically impossible.

29 April 2010, 6:26 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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