Both Optus and Telstra have announced plans to provide extra data for customers as part of their coronavirus response efforts.

With an unprecedented number of Australians either working from home or self-isolating, data usage is expected to increase exponentially.

All Telstra customers on a post-paid plan are being offered an extra 25GB of data to use within 30 days, while post-paid customers who recharge $40 or more can get 10GB of additional data to use in Australia within 28-30 days (depending on their plan).

Small business customers will receive unlimited data at no extra charge.

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Eligible pensioners with a home phone plan will also receive unlimited calls to local, national, 13/1300 and mobile numbers.

Optus has offered a similar deal, with a one-off 20GB data top-up for post-paid customers and additional 10GB of data for pre-paid customers who recharge $40 or more.

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“These are unprecedented times, and we want to help Australians who find themselves having to self-isolate or work from home to stay connected,” Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said.

“We understand how much it means to customers to stay connected with their colleagues, classmates, family and friends.”

For more details, contact Telstra or see the MyOptus App.

Way of life changed

Australians are likely to have to change their way of life for at least six months as parts of the nation shut down to combat the coronavirus spread, the prime minister has warned.

Scott Morrison’s acknowledgement of the timeframe comes as states and territories declare public health emergencies, giving officials greater powers to detain people or restrict movements.

Scott Morrison has wanred Australia to prepare for a six-month coronavirus battle. Credit: JOEL CARRETT / AAPIMAGE

“This will be a difficult six months. It could be longer. It could be sooner than that,” he told ABC radio on Monday.

Non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned, all people arriving from overseas must quarantine themselves for 14 days, and cruise ships are barred from Australian ports for at least 30 days.