Optus offers HP business netbook on a monthly plan

Optus has announced it will bundle the business-grade HP Mini 5012 netbook with no upfront charges among its line-up of mobile broadband plans for small and medium businesses.

A spokesperson for Optus told ITnews that this was the "first dedicated small to medium business targeted netbook plan."

The telco is offering the HP Mini 5012 on one of three 24-month plans priced at $59.99 for 2GB, $79.99 for 5GB and $99.99 on an 8GB plan.

Optus has previously offered bundled laptops for $0 upfront, but the telco claimed the HP Mini 5012 offer was the first time a netbook has been included in a package specifically aimed at SMBs.

The announcement supports a growing trend for telcos as a channel for supplying laptops.

Last year Telstra began selling Acer laptops with no upfront charge on a 24 month plan, while Vodafone used to offer the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 on a $0 upfront plan, but has presently sold out due to popularity.

Vodafone said it is waiting for a new model before it will consider another laptop bundled package.

Today's announcement wasn't the first time that Optus has partnered with HP. Optus World Stores previously offering consumer HP models on 24-month contracts.