news National broadband player MyNetFone has launched an ADSL broadband plan that comes with 500GB of data and unlimited free relocations, in a move that the telco said would be aimed at Australia’s army of home renters, who may regularly relocate to new premises.
In a statement, the company said the ‘Renters Internet Plan’ addressed the overlooked needs of today’s generation of renters.
About one in three Australian households are currently renting (about 2.6 million premises), according to the company, with renting on the rise. in the past decade this number has already increased by 13% for low income and 19% for middle income families.
Currently, most internet providers tend to offer the best value deals on 24 month contracts. However, 47 percent of Australians have lived in their current rental property for less than two years, MyNetFone said – so committing to a 24, or even a 12 month internet contract would not be practical for them.
At the same time, no contract’ plans typically come with prohibitively high upfront fees for modem and setup – the last thing a renter needs after paying bond and moving costs.
MyNetFone said its Renters Internet Plan is designed to address renter’s specific needs, offering the convenience of a short six-month contract – matching the shortest rental contract period, free service relocations, free modem and a low once-off $99 set-up fee.
“Like many of our innovative solutions, The Renters Internet Plan came from the real-life experience and frustrations of our own workforce, many of whom are young renters,” Rene Sugo, CEO and co-founder of MyNetFone said. “When we realised that no ISP was delivering what they needed, we put together the plan which combines the flexibility of a shorter term and free relocation, with the benefits of typical longer contracts, like a free modem and low sign up fee. It’s a lifestyle service that moves with you.”
The MyNetFone Renters Internet Plan means tenants no longer have to second guess whether or not they will stay in a property when their lease is up for renewal. Instead they have the peace of mind that their competitively priced Internet connection can move with them for no additional cost.
“The plan delivers all the benefits renters require: low commitment, low cost and high data allowance, combined with complete flexibility which enables them to take the Renters Plan with them when they move at zero additional cost,” added Sugo. “The new plan directly addresses the needs of renters and is the first in the Australian market to meet their requirements and alleviate their frustrations.”
The Renters Internet Plan offers costs $99 to set up and $49.95 monthly fee. It comes with 500GB of monthly data quota, no relocation fees, a free ADSL modem (although that will also cost $16.95 to ship) and a six month contract. The full terms and conditions of the plan can be found online.
opinion/analysis
I have to say, I do believe that MyNetFone is quite correct here about the broadband needs of renters. When I was a student living by myself I deliberately picked an Unwired broadband plan because the coverage was fairly decent in the areas that I would be seeking to live in, and there would obviously be no relocation costs associated with moving house — you’d just move the modem and it would connect to a new wireless tower. I suspect quite a few people are currently doing the same with 3G/4G mobile broadband.
These days I have a much larger household, but my family is still growing and in the process of organising to buy a home. This means that as we have moved every few years, we have had to soak up the telecommunications costs of shifting broadband plans (from iiNet ADSL, then to Telstra HFC cable, and then onto TransACT FTTN in Canberra).
Much of this changeover has been due to the need to switch actual access technologies. This would not be obviated under MyNetFone’s plan.
However, eventually you would have to assume that this issue would also become moot, due to the way that the NBN will eventually take over all access technologies. Customers should, theoretically, be able to switch from FTTN to HFC cable to FTTP at different premises, all through the same provider, delivered over the NBN company’s wholesale services.
In this context, and in the context that current house prices are only going to get more expensive, I would suggest MyNetFone’s plan is a wise one. The only part of it that I don’t particularly like is the substantial initial $99 set-up fee. But then I guess they have to make money somewhere.
. Naked DSL is the default option for the plan .. Awesome. Most renters are mobile only phone. Like myself. No need for home phone.
Yeah I haven’t used our home phone for a long time — it’s not even connected. Mandatory for TransACT FTTN though, unfortunately.
This announcement and subsequent plan details is nothing more than a slide of hand. If the service can’t be delivered via a naked service, it says it will be delivered by a Traditional ADSL2+ service. The fine print clearly states the default is naked, however when one looks at the link to the difference between a Naked and Traditional DSL, the fine print says for a Traditional ADSL2+ service 2nd dot point “You still pay line rental to your phone provider”.
In other words the renter will be responsible for a traditional PSTN service and associated costs, while no costs will be involved when a naked service is involved. Considering there is little difference between a naked and standard PSTN line at a wholesale level, this plan has a snake oil feel about it and in some or even most cases won’t deliver on its perceived promise.
Hi Frank +1
this plan has a snake oil feel about it and in some or even most cases won’t deliver on its perceived promise.
I was very interested in reading this. Until I saw the $99 setup fee. Pfft… Big deal! Clubtelco already offers 60 per month, and *unlimited* downloads. Yes, it’s $10 more – however:
1. Clubtelco is only $60 per month if, like me, you’re ‘regional’. They also have a $40/m plan for metro folks. So $10 cheaper for many people (wish I was one)!
2. They also offer free relocation.
3. Since mynetfone is aiming at renters who move regularly, keep in mind you’d have to stay at the same address for 10 months ($50 a month, plus $99 divided by $10) to start breaking even compared with going with Clubtelco.
Yes, Clubtelco is $120 setup. But that really only $21 more than mynetfone anyway. Also, if you’re a $40/m Clubtelco customer, then in 6 months you’ve broke even over mynetfone. Then you’re saving $10/m and getting unlimited downloads.
NOTE: There’s always a down side. Clubtelco have an annual $80 fee. But you receive a discount voucher book in the mail, things such as discounted movie tickets, 5% (I think) off Woolworths gift cards (which you can then use yourself to buy groceries). The banks are giving what, 3%? May as well buy supermarket gift cards and ‘earn’ an extra 2%!
If mynetfone had rapid transfer, ditched (or at least reduced) that fee, and/or made downloads unlimited, THEN they might have something worth switching for.
Got my maths wrong! You break even in TWO months with Clubtelco, if you don’t mind the annual fee.
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