Telstra joins Optus in covering early termination fees

Telstra has waited just one day to copy Optus in offering up to $450 in credit to customers who leave their old carrier and sign a new two-year contract.

Starting 16 September, Telstra will give a $200 credit to cover a customer’s early termination fee, which is incurred when they break their existing phone contracts.

Customers can get up to an additional $250 if they trade in their old smartphones. The actual credit depends on the model and condition of the phone.

The offer is identical to the one pitched by Optus on Monday. At the time, telecom analyst Chris Coughlan predicted Vodafone would not be far behind in copying the deal since, like Optus, they have been losing customers.

However, a Vodafone spokesman said the number-three carrier won't be joining the party.

"Vodafone isn’t going to join Optus and Telstra as Vodafone customers will save, simply by staying with Vodafone," he said.

"Vodafone customers can already upgrade, without penalty, in the final three months of their agreements."

In addition to the credit offer, Telstra announced it will for a limited time waive the $10 per month fee for its “New Phone Feeling” offer for Mobile Accelerate plans that cost $70 or more. Under that deal, customers can get a new smartphone after only 12 months, before their two-year contract is over.

Also for a limited time, customers who take up a $70 or higher plan can choose between 1GB of extra data or $1000 worth of calls and MMS in Australia each month.

Adam Bender covers telco and enterprise tech issues for Computerworld and is the author of dystopian sci-fi novels We, The Watched and Divided We Fall. Follow him on Twitter: @WatchAdam

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