update Optus will sell Apple's 8GB 3G iPhone for the outright price of AU$729 and AU$849 for the 16GB model, when purchased with Optus prepaid SIM cards.

The iPhone will also be available post-paid on the Optus network for $0 upfront for the 16GB iPhone 3G on an AU$79 capped plan over 24 months, with an included monthly data allowance of 700MB. A range of 12- and 24-month plans will also be available, with cheaper monthly caps attracting additional handset charges.

The cheapest option involves an AU$19 minimum monthly spend and handset repayments of AU$21 per month for the 8GB model. This plan includes AU$50 of calls and messages and a 100MB data allowance.

New and existing Optus prepaid customers will receive bonus mobile data allowances when recharging their prepaid plans, and customers purchasing an iPhone will receive a start-up bonus of AU$400 credit. All iPhone customers will receive free unlimited data usage for the first month when the iPhone is purchased before 31 August.

All iPhones purchased with a prepaid SIM will be network locked to Optus with an unlocking fee of AU$80 if applied for in the first six months after the original date of activation, or after AU$80 of prepaid credit has been purchased.