I'm only considering basic services otherwise it all gets too hard. For the same reason I'm ignoring TelstraClear InHome and Woosh.
Basic line
- ihug Home Phone - 40.00
- Callsouth HomePhone - 42.20
- Slingshot Homeline - 42.95
- Orcon Homeline - 44.95 (includes compulsory wiring & maintenance)
- Telecom Homeline - 43.60
- TelstraClear Homeplan - 47.21
Basic line plus wiring & maintenance
- ihug Home Phone - 42.25
- CallSouth HomePhone - 44.73
- Slingshot Homeline - 44.95
- Orcon Homeline - 44.95
- Telecom Homeline - 46.13
- TelstraClear Homeplan - 49.74
Basic line plus voicemail
- ihug Home Phone - 47.00
- CallSouth HomePhone - 49.80 (15.50 disconnection charge for cancellation of Call Mailbox within 12 months)
- Slingshot Homeline - 49.95
- TelstraClear Homeplan - 50.55
- Telecom Homeline - 50.60 (if all direct dial calling is with Telecom)
- Orcon Homeline - 59.95 (have to take it with a bundle of services)
ihug is the cheapest but with only a few bucks difference between plans, what other factors are there to consider?
- Loyalty programmes. Unfortunately only the two most expensive providers offer these (Telecom Fly Buys and TelstraClear AA Rewards). SmileCity is still available...
- Payment methods. Limited options put Telecom at the bottom of the list. Everyone else takes credit cards without hassle. Not sure about Amex tho - they keep quiet about it, I guess because of the high fees. I do know that TelstraClear take Amex. CallSouth give 1% discount for paying by direct debit.
- Discounts for other services. Sadly I didn't find any. Telecom and ihug could throw in a few free minutes of mobile calling time to differentiate themselves but they don't. Go on somebody, give us some fuel discount vouchers!
Comments welcome. Have I missed anyone/anything?