<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/optus" rel="" target="_blank" title="Optus "><span>Optus</span></a><span> customers have been hit with a price increase, marking </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mobile-phone-plan-price-increases-telstra-optus-vodafone/d2a5fd9e-a1d9-423a-808d-4b268e3fc550" rel="" target="_blank" title="the latest in a series of hikes"><span>the latest in a series of hikes</span></a><span> among national telcos.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The company's monthly postpaid plans are increasing by $5 today after similar hikes from </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/telstra" rel="" target="_blank" title="Telstra "><span>Telstra</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/vodafone-makes-accc-complaint-telstra-network-advertising/0242efe0-90dd-4925-a810-dca734624cfb" rel="" target="_blank" title="Vodafone "><span>Vodafone</span></a><span> in April and May.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It marks the second price rise for Telstra and Optus customers in under 12 months, according to Canstar.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/majority-of-aussies-feel-ripped-off-by-big-supermarkets-data-shows/1132dac6-bdd4-468c-b97a-a653471f8f4a" rel="" target="_blank" title="Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'"><strong><span>Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This latest increase from Optus completes a round of price hikes across the big three providers, and it's the second rise in less than a year for some customers," Canstar's utilities editor Tara Donnelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At a time when budgets are already stretched, it's more important than ever for households to review their plan and make sure they're not overpaying."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The network coverage myth – that cheaper providers come at the cost of network coverage – unfortunately still persists, leaving many Australians paying far more than they need to for their mobile plan.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/optus-increases-prices-in-second-hike-for-customers-this-year/1ae1bed4-4e6e-4b8c-9f0b-0d768a47ff9d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The smaller providers using Optus, TPG (Vodafone) and Telstra infrastructure still get full access to their networks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Rather, smaller providers use the same underlying infrastructure as the major telcos with the same network coverage, or in the case of Telstra's wholesale network, coverage is almost identical," Donnelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For customers willing to compare their options, the savings can be substantial."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The consumer group says customers can find cheaper options by switching to smaller companies operating on the same networks as the big providers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Canstar's comparison, customers could save up to $456 per year by switching to a low-cost provider using the same network, assuming they purchase a postpaid plan with at least 50GB of data.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For a 50GB plan (Sim Only), Telstra customers pay $74 monthly, while the lowest cost provider offers the same plan for $36.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Optus charges $60 for the same monthly plan, with the lowest cost provider charging $29. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Vodafone charges $53 monthly, while the lowest cost provider charges $30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The consumer group also added that Aussies are paying for more data than they actually use, saying they can save money by altering their plans.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Canstar research shows many Australians are paying for far more data than they actually use.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With data being the main driver of mobile plan pricing, simply choosing a lower‑data plan could deliver meaningful monthly savings."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" 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