The first part of the explanation of cap plans is quite simple and that is that they are incorrectly referred to as being capped. The cap of the plan is actually the minimum you are required to pay on a monthly basis. Any usage over that cap is charged at ridiculous prices of up to $1.24 a minute.

The second part is a little more involved although I think this will help you to understand it.

The simplest thing to say about cap plans is that if you pay $20.00 for something then that is what it is worth. If it was worth $100.00 then you would pay $100.00. Now I am going to proceed on the assumption that you agree with that basic principle.

Now, for some real evidence of what I am getting at I will show you three examples that are freely available on various mobile phone service providers websites.

TPG – https://www.tpg.com.au/mobile/plans.php

• $550 worth of calls and text for $17.99
• includes a flagfall of $0.35 per call and rates from $0.90 per minute*
• Each text to standard numbers will cost you $0.243 cents each.
• Also you pay for 13 & 18 number calls $1.02 for 13 numbers and $1.24 for 1800 numbers
• Monthly included data allowance to use in Australia 1.5GB

* Per minute pricing, So if you go 1 second into the next minute then you pay for the whole minute.

Vodafone – https://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/plans

• $70 worth of calls and text for $19.00
• This includes a flagfall of $0.40 per call and rates from $0.98 per minute*
• Each text to standard numbers will cost you $0.30 cents each.
• Also you pay for 13 & 15 & 18 number calls at standard call rates.
• Monthly included data allowance to use in Australia 500MB

* Per minute pricing, So if you go 1 second into the next minute then you pay for the whole minute.

Telstra – https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/mobile-plans/every-day-connect-byo/#tab-plan-50

• $600 worth of calls and MMS for $50.00
• This includes a flagfall of $0.40 per call and rates from $0.99 per minute*
• Unlimited text
• Monthly included call allowance can’t be used for 1800 & 13 numbers
• Monthly included data allowance to use in Australia 1.0GB

* Per minute pricing, So if you go 1 second into the next minute then you pay for the whole minute.

Wow $550 for $17.99 or $600 for $50.00 sounds like great deal until you realise what it is actually costing. Also why is it that when using a mobile for normally free 1800 numbers that it cost anything, let alone increased costs?

To put it into perspective check out the “Cap Plans Explained” video from Amaysim.

Amaysim – https://www.amaysim.com.au

• For $39.90 per month you get:
• Unlimited standard talk & text
• Unlimited calls to 13 & 18 numbers
• 4GB data
• No lock-in contracts
• You can bring your own number or choose a new one
• Powered by the Optus 3G network
• 100% Australian-based customer service centre
• Unlimited national access to Facebook, Twitter and more
• Low international rates from 6c/min & no flagfall
• pre-paid or post-paid

This all sounds like an advertisement for Amaysim. The Kritic and staff do use Amaysim and are impressed with their pricing and service however the motivating factor behind this blog is what has always annoyed me and that is the so called “Cap Plans” and the misleading way they go about attempting to get your business.