The top 5 benefits of having a no contract internet plan

Home & Business Internet Blog | MATE | 26 December 2017

The Australian telco industry is a $42 billion market, and it is dominated by a few select players who have embedded themselves into the day-to-day lives of millions of Australians with long-term contracts.
For most Australian internet and home phone users, they have been with the same telco provider for 10 or 20 years and they don’t know any better.
However, in recent years the Australian telco industry has changed dramatically, and the choice for consumers is growing. You don’t have to sign your life away to a 24-month contract to get the best deal anymore because there are alternatives on the market that are far more flexible. This is especially important for renters, young families, students, and anyone who has an unpredictable income.
So, if you are considering a switch from a long-term internet plan to something more flexible, or are in the midst of considering what the best option is for you, here are 5 benefits of having a no-contract internet plan:

1. You can downgrade and upgrade when you need to

There’s nothing worse than getting throttled when you want to watch your favourite TV series or hop online to chat with friends. Or even worse, when your internet provider slaps you with an excessive data fee for going over your limit.
Being inconvenienced, or paying a premium, just because you picked the wrong internet plan at the beginning, is a frustrating experience.
Sure, most internet providers who lock you into a long-term contract will easily let you upgrade your plan. However, when the shoe is on the other foot and you want to downgrade, they aren’t so generous.
With a no-contract internet plan, you can downgrade or upgrade your plan depending on your usage each month. This is especially helpful if for some reason you won’t need your data usage at all for certain months, or know that for some months you will require more.
Australia as a country uses a significant amount of data compared to other countries, especially on mobile. So it’s likely you’ll want to turn up your data allowance as time goes on and you are using your devices more regularly. But why have the limitation of being locked into a certain amount? If times change you can always downgrade back to a plan without as much data.

2. You can move house with ease

Moving house can be a hassle. Not only is it draining energy-wise, but it also leads to a lot of expenses. From the moving costs, cleaning costs, time away from work, or renovations you have planned, it can be hard to keep up with all the bills.
Some lock-in contract internet plans are complex and frustrating to move to a new address. Not to mention the downtime you will be paying for as you move. With a no lock-in contract, you can simply pause your plan, minimise the downtime that you have to pay for, and pick things up easily again at your new address.

3. You will avoid cancellation fees

If a company really was confident in their plans, they wouldn’t charge a cancellation fee. After all, why do they need to create a punishment for leaving them unless they feel that people want to leave all the time due to bad service and overpaying?
That’s why you should strongly consider avoiding an internet provider that penalizes you like this.
By not having a contract, you aren’t locked into a long term deal, and won’t incur any cancellation fees if you decide to switch things up. Move house, try a new provider, go internet-free for a few months… you can do whatever you need to with a no-contract internet plan.

4. Flip the switch if times are tough

None of us want to hit a rough patch financially, but inevitably most Australians will at some point. It’s just something that happens in life, especially with the excessive cost of living in places like Sydney and Melbourne. Life has surprises that can turn even the healthiest bank account into something you need to worry about.
When you’re in a financial pinch, you don’t want to be locked into paying for something if it isn’t essential for keeping the lights on, or your family fed. With a no-contract plan, your worries don’t have to extend to your internet bill. You can turn your plan on or off depending on your financial situation, and don’t have to worry about being locked into a contract.

5. You can hunt around for deals

Why do most telco companies want to lock you into a contract? The reason is simple: when you inevitably find a lower price, better data, or better deal in any way, you can’t switch. That’s why they have cancellation fees, contracts, and distant customer service. They know once they hook you in you have nowhere to go.
At MATE, we have taken a different approach and give you the options you deserve to get, without the long-term commitment.
When you don’t have a lock-in contract, you are free to keep an eye out for better deals. You don’t need to worry about 1-year or 2-year terms. When you find the best deal, you can simply hit the reset button.
Don’t get locked into contracts. They limit your ability to move, change plans, cancel, or turn your data off when life demands it. You deserve a better deal. Do your research and pick a telco company that honours true customer service.

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