UPDATED: Looks like Catch Connect isn't shutting down on April 30 after all

UPDATE 2 (7 Feb): It looks like the email from the Catch Connect affiliate program was just poorly worded.

In a new email this morning, the Catch Connect Affiliate team confirmed that the "Catch Connect core business will continue to operate post-April 30th."

Here's the full text from the new email:

Hi Nick

A message was sent yesterday to all affiliates that Catch Connect was closing at the end of April 2025. We wanted to clarify that this refers to the current Catch Connect affiliate program on Commission Factory.

The Catch Connect core business will continue to operate post-April 30th. The Catch Connect affiliate program on Commission Factory will be closed on 30th April 2025.

If you have any queries please reach out to us.

Kind regards

Catch Connect Affiliate Team

The language in that original email clearly implied that the entire business was shutting down at the end of April (as you can read below in the original article).

And while the Catch Connect brand will be running for the foreseeable future, you have to wonder if it can last long term, given that its namesake brand will be shutting down in a couple of months.

I'll keep watching the situation, but for now, Catch Connect is safe.

UPDATE (6 Feb):

Optus has told me, in no uncertain terms, that Catch Connect isn't closing its operations at the end of April. In response to my original questions, Optus replied with the comment given to GadgetGuy a couple of weeks ago, attributed to Anthony Shiner, MD of Customer Solutions at Optus:

“Catch Connect Mobile is owned and run separately from Catch.com.au, and is not impacted by the recent announcement that Catch.com.au will cease trading effective 30 April 2025. Catch Connect Mobile will continue to offer great value products and exceptional customer service.” 

“There will be no changes to your Catch Connect Mobile services at this time. New customers can still purchase plans from catchconnect.com.au. Existing customers can continue to use and recharge their services without disruption." 

When I shared a screenshot of the affiliates email from Catch Connect, a member of the Optus media team told me, in no uncertain terms, the affiliate email was incorrect.

Original article:

It was just over two weeks ago that the Australian ecommerce scene was shocked by the sudden closure of Catch.com.au by parent company Wesfarmers.

Way back then though, everything seemed to be business as usual for MVNO Catch Connect. Back then, Anthony Shiner, Managing Director of Customer Solutions at Optus told Chris Button at GadgetGuy:

"Catch Connect Mobile is owned and run separately from Catch.com.au, and is not impacted by the recent announcement that Catch.com.au will cease trading effective 30 April 2025. Catch Connect Mobile will continue to offer great value products and exceptional customer service."

It seems that Optus has decided that the Catch Connect brand probably doesn't have the legs to keep going without the Catch.com.au brand, though.

In an email to affiliate partners this afternoon, Catch Connect communicated that it will be closing operations at the end of April.

(Disclosure: I've been a Catch Connect affiliate through BTTR, which is why I received the notice the MVNO is shutting down).

Here's the full email:

Hi Nick,

We wanted to inform you that Catch Connect will be closing its operations at the end of April. Their affiliate channel will remain active until the closure on 30th April 2025.

Post-closure support will be available to handle any payment or transaction queries.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

So what changed?

I've reached out to Optus for clarification on why it's had the change of heart in keeping the Catch Connect brand running.

My guess is it just didn't make sense. Catch is an iconic Australian ecommerce brand that has been running since 2006. The Catch Connect brand was owned and run separately from the main Catch business.

But with Catch.com.au unable to survive in a post-Amazon retail environment, the brand benefits of having Catch sell mobile plans isn't really there anymore.

What happens next?

As I write this, Catch Connect's website still says it is unaffected by the Catch closure, so I imagine things are still being worked out.

I've asked Optus for information on what happens to existing Catch Connect customers once their prepaid plans expire, and will update the guide once I hear back.

In the meantime, it's probably worth looking into updating your mobile plan, right?