Oz Mobile Plan Prices Down 8.3% YoY

Latest numbers from the ACCC reveals mobile phone plan prices have dropped 8.3% year-on-year, with data downloads on mobile handsets soaring 45%.

According to the ACCC’s communications market report for 2017-18, data downloads on fixed line services jumped 27% in the year, whilst fixed broadband prices dipped 1.5%.

“Consumers are currently benefiting from falling prices and increased data allowances,” remarks ACCC Chair Rod Sims.

He claims increased data inclusions across fixed and mobiles is “potentially driving” higher data consumption.

Despite this, the ACCC warns not all consumers have, or will, experience internet improvements – thereby continuing its review of NBN appointment, connection and repair commitments.

“We will also continue to closely follow developments in NBN retail markets, where competition for entry-level plans in particular appears to be lessening as retailers adapt to NBN Co’s new wholesale pricing arrangements,” Sims adds.

Minutes spent talking on fixed line calls has also continued to decline. Time spent talking on mobile phones remained stable, contrasting growth in previous years.

“It’s notable that, for the first time in recent years, the amount of minutes Australians spent talking on their mobiles remained steady,” states Sims.

“We’re increasingly using social media and over-the-top services like Messenger, WhatsApp and Viber to communicate with each other.”

In 2017-18, the NBN eclipsed the legacy DSL network as the largest fixed line access network in Australia.

As network capacity continues to expand, next steps include the deployment of 5G and completion of the NBN roll-out.

As deployment continues, Australian consumers have increasingly moved to high speed internet plans, with the proportion of 50Mbps NBN services soaring from 4% – 35% during the year.

Average network congestion has also decreased from almost 5.5 hours per week to 25 minutes.

Despite this, consumer complaints to the ACCC and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman “remain high”, with complaints about mobile services the most common.

Predominate problems include poor mobile phone coverage, excess data charges and misleading sales practices.

Further information is available on the ACCC’s website here.