This thread is for those people who are having trouble deciphering the cryptic plans the telcos have placed up.

Here's a link to official Optus pricing: CustomerConnect - Register your interest

Telstra and Vodafone are yet to announce theirs.

Please don't start your own thread, keep all "what plan should I get?" questions in there

If you are buying it from Virgin, please use this link - buying it via this link helps to support MacTalk

The Vodafone plans have been announced?

But. If you were me, would you get an 8GB at 500mb data or 16GB model at 250mb data?

I've been trying to figure out how much data I would use, and, consequently which plans to go with. Does anyone have any idea how much data I would use under these circumstances:

wi-fi at home - work from home 75% of the time.
wi-fi at uni - at uni 3 days a week.
The only time I would be outside wi-fi is traveling to the city, at work 1 day a week and other times I left the house on weekends etc. (however I wouldnt be using any data on these occasions).

Any Idea how much 3G data I would use in this setup just doing a few emails, some occasional browsing, google mapping.

Hamsmyth, i can't imagine you would go above 100MB, if that. I'm exactly the same as you with your statistics and i also goto uni.

I'm currently with telstra on 80MB plan, i tend to use about 65MB-70MB on average of my account. Thats with email, occasional browsing and mapping.

Hope that helps

Could somebody make a mother of all charts comparing plans and providers? I'd do it but I'm supposed to be working

edit: view a Google doc comparing all telco comparisons here (free to be edited as news comes in) - thanks PaulM

I've done an excel chart that compares the TCO, and the data/call caps. If you know your way around excel you can use the auto filter to show only plans with 500 mb of data or more, then compare the TCO etc.

PM me if you want a copy and I'll email it.

Sorry for the n00b question, I've been a Vodafone 'no plans' customer for the last 5 or 6 years and am really out of the loop on pre-paid, post-paid etc.

It's looking fairly likely I will opt for a 16GB iPhone on one of the $59 plans from Optus, with a 12 month contract.

CustomerConnect - Optus CustomerConnect

However, can some explain to me (like I'm a two-year-old) the difference between the 'yes' Cap plans and the 'yes' Plans. The Cap plan is listed as having 500mb data with $350 for calls and text etc. The regular 'yes' plan is listed as having 700mb data, but only $54 for calls and text.

Why such a massive difference in call and text allowances?

TIA

I'm having the same problem working out the difference. Optus don't make it easy for their customers.

As I understand it the Yes plan allows you to roll credits over to the next month and the cap plan doesn't.

and you get less credit but more data (and price levels)

Thanks mate, so looking at their website underneath the 'yes' plan you can choose 1 of the following:

1. MyTime
2. 'Yes' free text
3. 'Yes' time
4. 'Yes' Text & Talk

+ you also get all of the following:

1. Rollover
2. Roll Back (24 month contract only)
3. International Call Cap
4. Free for 5

Is that right?

also - as far as I know, if you start lower and if you need more data/calls then you can always ramp up your plan, but never ramp it down.

Thanks mate, helps a lot. Hopefully I can get a 100MB - 200MB from Telstra.

Wow. I almost started bitch about threads then.

I suggest waiting until the other telcos release their pricing at least before deciding.

Im just wondering how much an application like Apollo IM would use? I presume not much because it will be only text related? Because thats basically the only real application id use via 3g. (Apart from email checking etc etc)

Any ideas?