Unlimited downloads

THOUSANDS of Australians will be able to download and stream as much content as they want starting today after Telstra revealed it would eliminate broadband data caps for many new and existing users in a massive market shake-up.

The move means Telstra joins the likes of rival broadband providers, including Optus and Internode, delivering unlimited downloads on plans for less than $100 a month.

Telstra said the changes would deliver unlimited internet downloads to customers with premium broadband plans, designed to address a 40 per cent growth in internet downloads over the past year, and increasing demands for streaming entertainment.

But telecommunications analysts said the move was a “no brainer” in an increasingly competitive market fuelled by growing National Broadband Network connections and cheap, unlimited offers from rival providers.

Telstra fixed services director Jana Kotatko said the company’s latest deals would mean new and existing customers on monthly internet plans over $99 would be able to download as much as they wanted, with “no gotchas” or surprisingly high bills.