UPDATE | iPrimus has now said that uploads count on this plan, which significantly reduces its value compared to other providers that do not count uploads in their quotas such as aaNet.

The plans excel at the lower-end of the market, starting at $24.90/month for 2GB and $34.90 for 10GB (bundled pricing). Higher end plans compare well with the competition and go up to 100GB for $124.90. aaNet also continues its unusual system of counting downloads at 50% in off-peak hours (2AM to 10AM).

iPrimus announced today that it would offer a new 200GB* plan, but the hidden detail (not even in the press release!) is that only 40GB will be available during waking hours, with the remaining 160GB used between 3AM and 9AM. The plan will cost $79.95/month and must be taken with an iPrimus phone service.

With curious timing, aaNet is also offering a "launch special" 200GB plan with 50GB peak and 150GB off-peak for $69.90 (bundled). Its off-peak times are also 3AM to 9AM.

iPrimus CEO said the plan would suit "those families and individuals that find they are increasingly making use of the internet". An aaNet spokesperson said that aaNet "is well known for providing low cost and high usage broadband plans", and claimed it was offering "the best value broadband plan in Australia".

aaNet is using the new EFTel BroadbandNext DSLAMs, which were announced late last year. EFTel continues to tout the network as VDSL2 capable, but the standard is still yet to be approved for use in Australia. The network currently covers only 47 exchanges, with a further 32 planned in what it calls "phase 1".

Links:

• aaNet plans  (aaNet)
• iPrimus media release  (iPrimus, 28 May 2008)
• aaNet/EFTel exchange list
• EFTel announces VDSL2 rollout  (Whirlpool, 1 Nov 2007)