Tag Archive for optus

troy | November 23, 2009
5 comments

SlideME goes offline

SlideME Android App Store

SlideME Android App Store

It has frustrated me no end that Optus has continually insisted to not permit the Android App Store to operate on Google Android handsets that have an Optus SIM inserted.

The fix is simple, turn off the phone, remove Optus SIM, insert Telstra SIM, turn on the phone, select and purchase software, turn off the phone, replace Optus SIM…  but that gets tedious.

To that end the SlideME application store was a welcome alternative to Google’s Android Market. It’s not locked down to carrier, you can pay via credit card or pre-authorised Amazon payment, and it was simple and easy to use.

Until a week ago.

Since then the SlideME market has been offline. It’s just returning a blank page. There’s no mention of it on their site, explaining why they are offline, or when they expect to return. The only indicator that they even have an idea is their most recent twitter post…

@eggenstein yes we are aware of the search and apps view issue. Working on a new approach and fix.

That wording gives the impression that there is something seriously wrong with the store, given it needs a whole new “approach”…

I do hope to see the SlideME back up and delivering applications soon. I hope at least for the devlopers using their sevice that if they have decided to shut down, there is money available to pay the people who put the apps online…

Category: rants | Tags: , , ,
troy | November 4, 2009
No comments

Android Market Paid Apps

I recently discovered that it wasn’t all of Australia that is blocked from the Android Market. Of the major carriers it is just Optus. Sadly, that is who provides me with my SIM and occasionally network coverage.

I can only assume that it’s greed that has led Optus to prohibit the purchasing of App’s from the Market when users have an Optus SIM in their phone. There was a way around it using this app, which until recent versions of the Android OS worked just perfectly on rooted phones.

My solution at the moment is to swap SIM’s between my two phones (to a Telstra SIM) when I wish to purchase app’s, and then swap back.  If you don’t have a Telstra SIM of your own, get a prepaid (it doesn’t need to have credit if you have a WiFi connection) or borrow a friends.

I have asked Google for comment on the issue with the Android Market and Optus, and will update the comments here when I get a response.

Read more

Category: information technology, work | Tags: ,
troy | September 5, 2008
No comments

Optus Complaints

Optus no longer accepts complaints via phone. One can only assume that it is because of the sheer volume of complaints that they must be receiving with the ongoing 3G network issues they are experiencing.

Should you need to complain to Optus, I can only strongly suggest that you don’t even bother calling to complain. Ensure that you have previously complained when you have had issues and have called support, and that those details have been received – but when it comes to the official complaint – simply write a letter and post it to the address below.

OPTUS COMPLAINTS
PO BOX 360
Salisbury South
South Australia 5106

Category: rants | Tags: , , , ,
troy | August 7, 2008
No comments

New Optus Coverage Map

Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan

Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan

Today Optus CEO Paul O’Sullivan announced a major upgrade to the Optus coverage network. In light of some recent network features being added that may have affected several customers in a small unpopulated area of the country, Optus has released a new coverage map detailing it’s new improved 3G coverage.

Having committed $AU315 million to upgrade the network to better service their priority markets by December 2009, Mr O’Sullivan said “Decisions were made after a recent major outage to fast track the development of the new network coverage plan that will better service the customers that we feel are critical”.

Fending off claims that there are major issues with the Optus network that have caused over a million customers to have little or no mobile telephone service since Friday last week Mr O’Sullivan said “Obviously with the new coverage target this is no longer an issue”.

The Newly Updated Optus Coverage Map

The Newly Updated Optus Coverage Map

It is yet to be seen if the ongoing network issues that has been plaging the telco can be resolved with their new solution to adapt their network coverage. After releasing a statement today that they were working closly with the vendor of their 3G network (Nokia Siemens Networks) to resolve issues, when asked why the issues were still ongoing 7 days since detection and after obviously affecting both 2G and 3G customers an Optus spokesperson waved his had in my face and said “There is no network outage… everything is resolved.”

We are happy to report that there is no longer a network outage, and everything is resolved. However, please don’t try and call or txt my mobile phone – for some reason it’s not working.

Category: information technology, rants | Tags: ,
 

Switch to our mobile site