Optus has joined forces with AI company Perplexity to expand access to advanced digital tools.
Eligible mobile customers, including start-ups and small businesses, can now get 12 months of free access to Perplexity Pro, an AI-powered search and productivity platform valued at AUD $300. This offer is available to both new and existing Optus prepaid and postpaid mobile users and must be redeemed by December 31, 2025.
You can find more about Perplexity, its features and pricing here.
This collaboration is part of Optus’ broader AI strategy, following the discontinuation of its in-house AI features like Call Notes and Call Translate. The initiative aims to empower individual consumers and businesses on Optus’ mobile network with advanced AI tools that boost productivity and innovation. While Optus hasn’t specified the exact number of SME clients eligible, the offer applies across its entire mobile customer base.
Perplexity Pro offers unlimited AI searches powered by multiple top-tier models including OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Anthropic’s Claude 3, and Perplexity’s own Sonar engine. It allows users to analyze uploaded files such as PDFs and spreadsheets for rapid insights, supporting content creation, document summarization, market research and more. The platform’s versatility supports a wide range of everyday and business applications, helping users save time and make smarter decisions.
“AI shouldn’t be reserved for experts or tech insiders,” said Anthony Shiner, Chief Customer Officer at Optus, “We believe all Australians deserve access to tools that make life easier, more productive, and more informed.”
Ryan Foutty, Vice President of Business at Perplexity, added, “Our partnership with Optus allows us to extend AI’s benefits to a broader Australian audience, helping users confidently navigate the digital world.”
The subscription requires manual activation via a code sent by Optus through email or SMS. Access depends on internet connectivity, which may be limited in areas with poor broadband infrastructure. The offer does not auto-renew after the 12-month period, and pricing beyond that remains unannounced. The promotion is exclusive to Optus mobile customers; users on competing networks like Telstra or Vodafone are not eligible.
This move addresses Australia’s relatively modest generative AI adoption rate of 54 percent compared to the Asia-Pacific average of 67 percent according to Deloitte Insights 2024. It stands out from other costly or limited-access initiatives by offering broad, no-cost access to advanced AI tools.
About Perplexity AI and its startup program
Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI quickly emerged as a leader in AI-powered search and summarization, handling over 400 million queries monthly and capturing 6.2 percent of the AI search market in 2025. The company has raised around US$1.2 billion in funding from top investors including SoftBank, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos and is negotiating an additional $500 million funding round at a $14 billion valuation.
Perplexity also supports startups through a dedicated program offering six months of free Perplexity Enterprise Pro access and $5,000 in API credits, helping early-stage companies accelerate growth with AI tools.
Read about Perplexity for Startups
Benefits for SMEs
SMEs subscribing to Perplexity Pro through Optus gain fast, reliable answers to streamline research, AI-driven automation for marketing, report summarization and simple dashboard creation, unlimited searches across multiple AI models, file upload and analysis capabilities to support data-driven decisions, and flexibility to switch between AI models tailored to different tasks. While Perplexity Pro enhances productivity, it is not a full-fledged business management platform.
This free 12-month Perplexity Pro offer launches June 2, 2025. Eligible Optus prepaid and postpaid mobile customers must redeem by December 31, 2025.
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