Telstra boosts data packs for pre-paid mobiles

Telstra has extended its pricing revamp to pre-paid mobile browse packs after increasing post-paid browsing allowances last week.

Despite substantial increases, however, its pre-paid data allowances still fall behind those offered by Optus.

The introductory $5 pre-paid browse pack will now provide 20MB of data, which is four times what was previously offered, but short of its post-paid 30MB allowance.

This is also noticeably less data than Optus' entry-level mobile internet pack, which provides 75MB for $4.99.

Telstra's $10 pack has grown from 100MB to 150MB, but again falls short of Optus' $9.99 for 350MB.

Telstra previously charged $59 for 750MB; this has been reduced to $39. A monthly charge of $49 will now provide 2GB of data, while Telstra's high-end 4GB plan has dropped in price from $89 to $79.

For comparison, Optus offers 500MB for $14.99 and 1GB for $19.99.

Telstra has sweetened its deal by doubling the data on every pre-paid credit recharge over $30 until 31 August, while Optus will double data included in its packs if customers sign on for 12 months.

Customers who exceed Telstra's data limits will be charged $2 per MB.