High Speed Internet Access (HSIA): Mobile Broadband

Vodafone have changed the pricing on their mobile broadband packages in a move to be more competitive with other providers.

Previously they were offering 5GB per month for $39.95 but this was only available in a bundled package for customers who purchased mobile broadband and a phone plan. Now they have unbundled the offering so 5GB at $39.95 is available as a standalone plan. They are also offering 1GB per month at $19.95 plus $5 per month for the modem.

As pointed out by ITnews, these plans still don’t stack up that well against other providers. 3 Mobile have 1GB for $15 which is the cheapest mobile broadband available. They also have a more competitive 6GB plan for $39 per month. Virgin Broadband have a 5GB plan for $39 per month with no excess data charges.

 

Most mobile broadband contracts are for a period of 24 months so what are the penalties if you don’t want the service for that length of time and terminate the contract early? You may know in advance that you only require the mobile broadband service for less than the contract period, or perhaps you signed up for a contract and are now considering other options.

We looked at how the providers of mobile broadband charge if you terminate a contract before the end date. All plans that we looked at are 24 month contracts. This gives an idea of the cancellation fees but check the current terms and conditions for a particular plan.

The following providers charge a fee based on how many months are remaining on the contract. So for example if you terminate a 3 Mobile 24 month contract after one year then you will be charged a cancellation fee of $300 ($25 for each of the 12 months remaining on the contract).

3 Mobile charge $20 per month or $25 per month if the plan has a $5 per month modem device charge

Virgin Broadband charge $8 per month

Vodafone charge $25 per month

Optus have a fixed cancellation fee of $245 for the first 12 months then a sliding scale after that.
With the Telstra Wireless Broadband Mobile $114.95 3GB plan there is a $360 maximum cancellation fee which is pro-rated through the life of the contract.