iiNet heralds unmetered Netflix streaming as a 'game changer'

After months of anticipation, Australians have finally learned when they'll be able to get their hands on a Netflix subscription, with news that the US-based streaming service is coming to Australia on March 24.

But one of the biggest announcements to come off the back of this launch is that local ISP iiNet has inked a deal with Netflix to give its broadband customers unmetered access to the streaming service -- meaning any data used during streaming Netflix content won't count against their monthly data caps.

The deal is a big win for both iiNet and Netflix, with the ISP getting a sweetener for existing customers and both services gaining the potential to grow their customer base and win more people over to their platforms.

According to iiNet, it's a "game changer" for the ISP.

"We couldn't be happier about Netflix launching in Australia," said iiNet CEO David Buckingham. "It opens up a whole world of affordable entertainment options for our customers and we're adamant about ensuring the content is easily accessible to as many people as possible.

"Netflix significantly strengthens our entertainment offering and we expect it to be an extremely popular option for all those avid television and movie fans out there."

For Netflix, Director of Business Development Paul Perryman made the direct correlation between signing the deal with iiNet and bringing on more customers.

"Working with iiNet to offer quota-free Netflix content gives more people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with who we are and what our service offers," he said. "We're looking forward to shaking things up in the local subscription TV market."

The "quota-free" offer is available on Netflix Australia content for all fixed line broadband customers on regular broadband, Naked DSL, NBN and iiNet TV with Fetch plans. It will be available across iiNet's stable of brands, including iiNet, Internode, Westnet and Adam Internet. However, it's not available to Satellite, NBN Wireless, Mobile Voice, Mobile Broadband or Business customers.

Off the back of the Netflix-iiNet deal, Optus has also announced that it will be offering its customers unmetered access to Netflix streaming, saying in a statement: "Optus consumer broadband customers will be able to access as much Netflix content as they want, without metering. Any Netflix Australian content will not count towards a customer's data cap."

CNET has sought further detail on exclusions that may apply to the offer, and whether the deal represents an official partnership with Netflix or Optus' own campaign.