David Flynn06 December 2007, 5:55 AM
Just one week after Vodafone and Optus slashed their mobile broadband rates to ADSL levels, 3 ups the ante by dramatically lowering its prices across the board.
Just one week after Vodafone and Optus slashed their mobile broadband rates to ADSL levels, perennially aggressive price-slasher 3 has halved its prices right across the board.
3's cheapest plan is now $14.50 per month for 1GB of mobile data on its 3G HSDPA network, using a supplied USB modem and with typical downlink speeds between 600kbps and 1.5Mbps. This price is conditional on being an existing 3 mobile customer or signing up for a new contract.
 Free for all: 3's USB modem is included in its new cut-price mobile broadband deals. Does anyone actually buy wireless modems anymore? |
Stand-alone services which don't require mobile bundling now begin at $24.50 for 2GB, with $34.50 for 3GB and $49.50 for 5GB. Usage outside of 3's own 3G ‘broadband zone' network, which means roaming onto Telstra's GSM turf, attracts a levy of 10c per MB.
The new prices kick in from next Monday, December 7, and run through to January 15 2008. But while 3 promotes this as a summer special, monthly pricing doesn't revert to normal levels once the honeymoon is over - the discount rates run for the length of the 24 month contract.
"With laptops high on many wish lists this Christmas, a mobile broadband connection that's great value is the perfect partner" said Noel Hamill, 3's director of Sales, Marketing and Product. "Consumers experiencing mobile broadband for the first time want a great deal. With 1 gigabyte they can surf the web, download content, send emails and loads more, all for just $14.50 a month. These are hot offers that we think people will really enjoy."
Despite 3's comeback, Vodafone still leads at the end of Round 2 in the Summer 2007 Mobile Broadband Smackdown. Its $39/5GB plan is $10 per month cheaper than 3, and the choice of a USB or ExpressCard modem will appeal to notebook users who'd rather fill a card slot than plug in a soap-on-a-rope dongle.
Even if you don't need 5GB of mobile pleasure you may want to stick with Vodafone, because 3's 3GB plan is only $5.50 cheaper, and it's always nice to have a little extra data up your sleeve rather than face excess usage fees or speed throttling.
In the end, 3's best competition is $24.50 for 2GB or the voice+data bundle of $14.50 for 1GB, both of which would suit casual notebook users who need mobile broadband access only for short bursts through the working week.
3's 2GB plan is also almost half the cost of Optus' new 2GB/$40 monthly plan, which unlike the 3 offering requires mobile or landline bundling.