Telstra launches $0 laptop broadband bundles

The launch comes as a response to Australia's growing mobile workforce, which the telco estimates has exceeded more than three million Australian mobile workers.

"Building on the success of the $0 upfront mobile phone offers that really took off in the 90s, we've decided the time is right to extend the same deal to mobile broadband,” said Cathy Aston, executive director of Telstra business.

"Increasingly, mobile broadband-enabled laptops are as essential as mobiles, especially for business people. They're easy to take to many places, you can even go away for a few days, take your laptop and stay connected to the business."

Although the laptops come at no upfront cost, customers will be bound to a 36-month long contract at $99 per month.

The $99 fee covers the cost of the hardware and broadband connection which comes with 1GB data allowance on Telstra’s Next G network. The total cost over the life of the contract comes out at $3564.

The $0 laptop package is available to Telstra Business customers through selected dealers including Harvey Norman, ICT Distribution and Techhead Interactive until June 30.