Australian operator Telstra will launch its Telstra TV streaming player and new Home Broadband plans next week. The offer will be available with no lock-in contracts. Customers will be able to pay out their modem if they leave within 24 months. The third generation of Telstra TV includes an upgraded wireless remote control with voice search, plus buttons for TV power and volume control.
The Telstra TV Smart Search function has been enhanced to enable users to use their voice to search for actors, TV shows and movies. Among several commands, users can also ask the Telstra TV to open the Telstra TV Box Office app. According to Michael Ackland, acting group executive Telstra Consumer and Small Business, over 1.4 million customers added Telstra TV to their entertainment since the first-generation Roku Powered device was introduced in 2015.
With the launch of the latest Telstra TV device, Telstra is also replacing BigPond Movies with Telstra TV Box Office, allowing customers to buy or rent the latest release films, with billing to their Telstra monthly account. Also for a limited time, new Telstra Home Broadband customers can add Telstra TV (AUD 9 per month, minimum cost AUD 1,995 including Essential Internet over 24 months) and receive an AUD 125 credit from the Telstra TV Box Office store, the equivalent of up to 20 new release standard definition movie rentals.
New broadband plans
Starting 26 February, Telstra will provide new and returning customers with two new Home Broadband plans: the Essential Internet Plan, and the Unlimited Internet Plan. Customers can opt for the Essential Internet Plan for AUD 70 per month with 100GB of data and nbn25 (minimum cost AUD 385 if users stay for 1 month including AUD 99 connection charge and AUD 216 modem).
The Unlimited Internet Plan will be available for AUD 90 per month, with unlimited data and nbn50 (minimum cost AUD 405 if users stay for 1 month including AUD 99 connection charge and AUD 216 modem).
Both plans include unlimited calls to standard local, national, and Australian mobile numbers and now include an allowance to make 500 calls per month to 13 numbers. The Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2 hybrid modem is designed to provide voice and data backup on the operator’s 4G mobile network, and is included in the monthly price for new Telstra customers that stay connected for 24 months.
Customers can then build personalised home internet packages by adding their choice of entertainment or picking from a range of accessories and devices. Available add-ons include Foxtel Now (from AUD 25 per month), Telstra Smart Home (from AUD 25 per month), or Kayo (AUD 25 per month). With no upfront charges, customers pay these add-ons on monthly repayment options while they maintain a Telstra Broadband Plan.
