Australia's largest ISP Bigpond has once again revised its pricing on ADSL and cable, stunning the competition with some of the best plans on the market just months after releasing its last set of plan revisions. There had been rumours flying that Bigpond was looking to refresh and simplify its existing line up and today's announcement seemed to confirm most of the speculation.
There are now 3 succinct quota levels and 2 speed choices to choose from, removing any confusion for the average home user. Combining home phone, mobile and Foxtel can also bring considerable discounts to the monthly fees of up to $30 per month. (Source: Bigpond)
"Turbo" plans are provided at a speed of 1500/256k or up to 8000/384k in Cable areas. Elite plans are provided at ADSL speeds of up to 8000/384k in 'OPEN1' areas or up to 24000/1024k in ADSL2+ enabled areas and 30000/1024k in Cable areas.
- Bigpond Turbo 2GB Liberty is Bigpond's entry plan, offering 2GB of data starting at $39.95 per month.
- Bigpond Elite 2GB Liberty offers 2GB of data starting from $49.95 per month.
- Bigpond Elite 50GB Liberty offers 50GB of data starting from $79.95 per month.
- Bigpond Elite 200GB Liberty offers 200GB of data starting from $99.95 per month.
A recent ACCC enquiry brought forward by ISP's Internode and iiNet into Telstra's Bigpond pricing has argued that Bigpond is offering these products at a lower cost than the competition can source them from Telstra Wholesale. Internode and iiNet argue that Telstra is effectively re-monopolising many regional and rural areas where there is no competing infrastructure installed in the local exchange ahead of the National Broadband Network (NBN). (Source: IT Wire)
The recent $11 billion non-binding agreement between the Government, NBN Co. and Telstra recently paved the way for Telstra receiving considerable windfalls for transferring customers from its copper network onto the NBN as it was built. Telstra appears to be poaching customers back in order to get them on board for the NBN. (Source: ZD Net)
I for one never thought I'd see the day where Telstra actually started competing on price and would actually be offering deals better than the competition. It certainly is refreshing, even if the plan revisions have an anti-competitive undertone, to see some decent pricing for all Australians on broadband.
I'll be awaiting with baited breath the outcome of the forthcoming ACCC enquiry to see whether wholesale prices will be reduced for the competition. I fear however, that by the time an outcome is reached, Bigpond will have had enough time to poach back lost customers and lock them into contracts before the competition can react. It certainly is an interesting time in Australia's communications.
