(For Australia)

New BigPond broadband prices reflect new age of digital home

25 July 2010 – From tomorrow, BigPond® broadband plans will offer consumers higher data allowances, greater value and no additional usage charges on any plan. Customers will be able to save up to 50 per cent compared to current prices and obtain up to four times more data for the same price.

Telstra Executive Director Consumer, Ms Rebekah O’Flaherty, said the better value plans were timely in light of new Telstra research which showed internet access along with food and heating were the three things Australians would least like to spend a day without.

“The average Australian household has entered a new age of online connectivity. Telstra’s research reveals more than half (51.2%) of all households now feature four or more types of internet enabled devices - from wireless laptops to smartphones, the T-Hub®, game consoles and internet TV PVRs such as the T-Box®.

“With information, entertainment and news being enjoyed across multiple devices in the house, it’s not surprising that consumer demand for speed, simplicity and value from their broadband is growing.

“Telstra realises customers’ needs are changing, which is why our new BigPond broadband plans deliver greater data allowances at lower prices, allowing household members to do more on the internet for less,” Ms O’Flaherty said.

The benefits of the new BigPond broadband plans include:
• Reduced monthly access fees of $10 to $90 per month
• Turbo plan customers will get the benefit of faster “Elite” plans for no extra cost, except for the entry level 2GB “Turbo” plan
• A reduction of 12 plans to four to simplify the range
• No additional usage fees on any plan

Existing customers will get the benefits of the new plans when they are moved to them over the coming months or customers can change their plans online via www.bigpond.com/broadband or by calling 13 2200.

New BigPond broadband prices:

BigPond Plans - 12 month with Telstra full service fixed phone Old price per month1 New price per month2
BigPond Turbo (2GB) $39.95 $29.95
BigPond Elite (2GB) $49.95 $39.95
BigPond Elite (50GB) $109.95 $69.95
BigPond Elite (200GB) $179.95 $89.95

On top of these reduced prices, customers can get up to $20 off their broadband monthly access fee when they combine a new 24 month broadband plan with a Telstra full service fixed line phone and an extra BigPond wireless broadband, Telstra post-paid mobile, or FOXTEL from Telstra service on a 24 month, Single Bill plan3.

Ms O’Flaherty said Telstra's research also revealed:

• Melbourne has Australia’s most connected households. Half of Melbourne households have more than four types of internet enabled devices vs Sydney (44%), Perth (43%), Adelaide (42%) and Brisbane (42%).
• Homes "connect" together. One in five (23%) Australian households regularly use more than four internet-enabled devices at the same time.
• Men love their net time. Almost a quarter of Australian men (24%) would rather go without food, heating or their TV and mobile phone than give up their internet access. (Women 19%)
• Australian seniors are staying on pace with the technology wave. Older Australians (65yrs+) report having the most home PCs (88% vs 72% among 18 - 24 year olds). In comparison, younger Australians are more likely use a laptop in the home (88% vs 53% among people aged 65yrs+).

1. Min cost for ‘old prices’ over 12 months with HomeLine Plus and a 1-port self install modem are: $1027.80 (Turbo 2GB), $1147.80 (Elite 2GB), $1867.80 (Elite 50GB) and $2,707.80 (Elite 200 GB), plus a $9.95 delivery fee.
2. Min cost for ‘new prices’ over 12 month with HomeLine® Plus and a 1-port self install modem are: $907.80 (Turbo 2GB), $1027.80 (Elite 2GB), $1,387.80 (Elite 50GB) and $1,627.80 (Elite 200GB), plus a $9.95 delivery fee.
3. To obtain this discount, the combined monthly access fee of the customer’s services must be at least $89.

   Ali Caldicott, (Telstra), Australia