As iPhone 6 is about to be launched, Optus is paying customers to come on to their network. And dump rival mobile operators.The telco has launched a new deal, offering new customers up to $200 to cover early exit fee charged by rival telcos as well as a $250 trade in for their old mobile, if they switch to Optus.
The get out of your plan offer also applies to existing Optus customers.
A consumer who signed up to a 24 month plan in December 2012 would have to wait another three months until December 2014 to upgrade to a new smartphone.
Early exit fees can cost anything from $100 to $1000, in some cases, and depending on how far into their mobile plan a consumer is.
There are over 1.2 million Australians who are coming off their mobile phone contract in the next four months. Up to $450 will be credited to the new Optus users account.
However, an Optus spokesperson denied the $450 offer was a bid to increase its customer base, saying the telco is running the offer for the consumer, pointing to research which showed customers get “frustrated” when they can’t get their hands on the newest smartphone.
The offer rings similar to Telstra’s new phone feeling offer, where it offers customers new devices every 12 months, for a fee.
The Optus rep pointed to a number of new smartphone launches including iPhone 6 and other mobile announcement coming out of IFA electronics fair in Berlin, last week.
The offer “makes it easy for customers to get new handsets” the spokesperson said, predicting “a huge season in the lead up to Christmas” for mobile phone purchases.
In an extra sweetener to big bill users, Optus is also adding on 2GB and 3GB of data, respectively, on higher $80 and $100 plans which now boasts 5GB and 8GB data.
