Mobile communications: O2 restructures tariffs
TelefĂłnica Deutschland is restructuring the tariffs of its core brand in November. There will be more data volume, but a few tariffs and options will be dropped
(Image: TelefĂłnica Deutschland/Falco Peters)
TelefĂłnica Deutschland is reorganizing the mobile tariffs of its core brand O2. The Munich-based company is streamlining the tariff structure, increasing the respective data volumes and adjusting the prices slightly. The new price structure is based on the previous offer prices. Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone had also previously revised their tariff portfolios.
O2 is streamlining its portfolio from eleven to six tariffs – special tariffs previously offered for customer loyalty, not included. The "Boost" variants of the standard tariffs, which include more data volume and an option for multiple SIM cards, are no longer on offer. Two variants of the "Unlimited" tariffs have also been dropped. The portfolio of tariffs for self-employed and business customers will also be adjusted.
New tariff structure
All tariffs use the LTE and 5G network. The bandwidth is specified as up to 300 Mbit/s for downloads and up to 50 Mbit/s for uploads. In addition to a voice and SMS flat rate, a landline number is included (formerly known as "Genion"). The new tariffs will apply from November 6, 2024, and selected tariffs will be available with a discount of up to EUR 15 per month at launch.
With the "Unlimited Max" flat-rate tariff, everything remains the same: It costs 100 euros per month. The "Unlimited on Demand" tariff is not a real flat rate, but offers 10 GB of data volume per day, which can be extended again and again with 2 GB packages if required. "Unlimited on Demand" costs 60 euros as standard, but can be booked for 45 euros as an introductory offer. The previous flat rates with bandwidth throttled to 3 Mbit/s (Unlimited Basic) or 15 Mbit/s (Unlimited Smart) will no longer be available from November.
(Image:Â TelefĂłnica Deutschland)
In the entry-level tariff "Mobile S" for 20 euros per month, the inclusive volume increases from 4 to 10 GB. The next level, "Mobile M", will then include 30 GB instead of 25 GB and will nominally cost EUR 30 per month, but can be booked for EUR 25 per month until the beginning of February 2025 as part of the introductory promotion. The tariff can currently still be booked for 20 euros under the old conditions.
"Mobile L" will then include 100 GB instead of the previous 70 GB and will cost 40 euros as standard and 30 euros as an introductory offer. The inclusive volume in the "Mobile XL" tariff increases by 20 GB to 300 GB and costs 50 euros as standard, but can be booked for 35 euros per month as an introductory offer.
In the tariffs with limited data volume, this increases with each year of the contract term: "Mobile S" by 1 GB, "Mobile M" by 5 GB and "Mobile L" and "Mobile XL" by 10 GB each.
Multiple SIM cards as an option
With the "Boost" tariffs, some tariffs with further graduated inclusive volumes and the "Connect option" for up to ten additional SIM cards for one phone number are no longer available. This option can still be added separately to any fixed-term tariff for EUR 5 per month.
Each additional contract is discounted by 50% on the list price thanks to the "Combi Advantage". Customers who order a landline connection from O2 in addition to mobile telephony also receive discounts. There are also discounts on the list price for young customers up to the age of 29 and older customers (60 plus).
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Data package now also for the USA
In EU countries, the tariff conditions also apply to roaming. For countries outside the scope of the EU rules –, such as Switzerland –, there are various packages that should be considered to avoid the expensive billing according to consumption in the standard tariff.
O2 has now also launched a roaming package "Roaming Plus World" with inclusive volume for the USA and other overseas countries, so that you no longer have to rely on billing per megabyte (99 cents/MB). For just under 10 euros, you get 2 GB inclusive volume in addition to the telephone conditions (calls 1.49/0.69 euros per minute).
Free cloud removed
As part of the new tariffs, O2 is also removing the option for 5 GB of free cloud storage, which was previously included in fixed-term tariffs. Customers who have booked this will receive an ordinary termination notice by text message in the next few days. O2 refers to new cloud tariffs and recommends the tariff with 50 GB for 99 cents per month to affected customers.
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