Although some home Wi-Fi routers let users and/or parents pause Internet connectivity, Optus is the first telco and Internet provider to offer this feature via its own My Optus app.

We're told that whether it’s study time, bed-time, dinner time or personal time, Optus Pause lets you "temporarily pause connectivity on all, or some, Optus home and Optus mobile devices simultaneously."

Optus Pause is free and exclusive to Optus customers on selected postpaid, prepaid and home plans.

Clive Dickens, VP of TV, Content & Product Development at Optus said: “As a technology company, we know the positive role that connectivity plays in the everyday lives of Australians, but we also understand that sometimes our love of staying connected 24/7 can create distractions for ourselves, our families, our friends, our work colleagues.

“Optus Pause empowers our customers to balance their connected time so a face to face business meeting can be social-media-update-free or family dinner time can be about the conversation not missed snaps, or sleep time can be absent ‘pings’."

Optus Pause is available now through My Optus app and allows our home and mobile customers to easily manage their time online by deciding when they would like to ‘pause’ and take a connectivity break.

Dickens continued: “Optus is pioneering digital and customer innovation through a ‘one click’ solution that works across mobile and home WiFi connections; across Optus connected services and all devices connected via WiFi on Optus nbn plans with the latest Optus supplied modems, on the same account and household.

“Optus Pause customers can set a timer for how long they would like to pause their connectivity and on what device, or devices, and if they decide to re-connect earlier. It’s manageable at a press of a button so best of all, it’s quick, easy and free to use.

“We've listened to our customers who've asked us to develop a product that gave them a right to disconnect. We are delighted we can now bring you real family dinnertime or moments of peace and quiet for reflection – If that’s what you want!”

Optus Pause will be available to eligible customers in a phased approach rolling out from today, with more information here.