Mobile companies compete on iPhone 5 prices The iPhone 5. Telstra customers will pay a minimum of $67 a month over two years for the new iPhone 5, while Optus customers can get the device for $48 a month over two years, but with a smaller data allowance. Vodafone's cheapest offer costs $66 per month over two years for the 16 gigabyte device with 1 gigabyte of data. The three mobile companies released their pricing within a few minutes of each other shortly after 5pm this afternoon. However, Vodafone does not yet have an active 4G network, while Telstra is fast-tracking expansion of its existing 4G network and Optus has recently started rolling out its first 4G network. It will turn on services in Melbourne tonight. Telstra is providing a minimum of one gigabyte of data per month for the data-hungry device. Consumers are likely to download more data on 4G compatible devices simply because a faster network makes downloading easier. For the 16 gigabyte iPhone5, Optus offers 200 megabytes and $200 worth of calls on the $48 and $51 plans, and 1 gigabyte and $600 worth of calls on $60 monthly plans. For the 64 gigabyte iPhone, Optus charges a minimum of $57 per month up to $69 per month for more included value. Telstra's cheapest plan includes a repayment fee of between $7 and $17 per month depending on the memory size of the iPhone5, while all three of Optus' plans require device repayment fees. From $80 a month Telstra customers can get the 16 gigabyte iPhone5 free, but for 32 or 64 gigabyte phones they have to pay up to an extra $12 per month. Vodafone also sells an $80 per month plan with no device repayment fees and 2 gigabyte of data. The iPhone 5 comes in either white and silver or black and slate and to buy it outright in Australia costs $799 for the 16 gigabyte model, $899 for the 32 gigabyte model and $999 for the 64 gigabyte model. Apple said customers could pre-order from this Friday and mobile carriers are also taking pre-orders. Apple has tailored devices for the mobile networks in each country or region, so only phones sold in Australia will work on Australia's 4G long-term evolution networks.