Billed for iPhone but no device

What could be worse than not being able to get that iPhone 3G you have been waiting for? This story just about answers that question.

OPTUS customers who agreed to a raincheck purchase of Apple’s iPhone 3G are complaining of being billed even though they are yet to receive the popular handheld device.

Since the iPhone 3G’s Australian launch on July 11, customers have been scrambling to get their hands on the device, but many have gone home empty handed because of a stock shortage.

In response, Optus introduced a raincheck system to ensure customers could get priority access to the iPhone. The raincheck system guarantees Optus customers an iPhone when they sign up to a contract at one of the telco’s Optus World retail stores.

Now, several weeks after customers signed up to the raincheck system, it appears they are still without the iPhone and are being billed for it.

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Source: Australian IT

Posted by Mark Griffin Posted in: Tech and Gadgets No Comments » August 2008

New Optus unlimited mobile plans & 2GB iPhone plan

Optus has launched new mobile plans that include unlimited calls (including video calls) and SMS/MMS plus large data usage allowances.

This applies to iPhone users too!

The plans are called ‘yes’ Timeless plans and Optus says they have “unlimited value”.

The plan with the 2Gb of data is the ‘yes’ Timeless $129 plan Cap which will be available on the 28th of July 2008.

Minimum monthly spend – $129

What this ‘yes’ Timeless Plan includes

• Unlimited Standard voice calls to any network within Australia – local, national and GSM mobiles
• Unlimited National Video Calls
• Unlimited Standard National text to any networks
• Unlimited National MMS
• Unlimited deposits and retrieval of Voicemail
• Mobile Internet Browsing: 2GB Included

“This plan includes 2GB of data to access services on Optus Zoo, as well as browsing the Internet from your mobile. If you exceed the included monthly data allowance, excess usage charges will be charged at $0.35 per MB or part thereof.”

View full details of the new plans on the Optus website

Posted by Mark Griffin Posted in: Tech and Gadgets No Comments » July 2008

3G iPhone launch Perth 11-07-08

The iPhone release here in Perth has been dismal at best, very poorly launched and i wish i could say over hyped and under delivered but that would give undue credit where it is not due.

I have been amazed at the lack of advertising here for the iPhone and today i walked into the city center from my office to check first hand what was happening.

[Show as slideshow]

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Posted by Mark Griffin Posted in: Griffs View, Tech and Gadgets 4 Comments » July 2008

Optus 3G iPhone pricing

Today Optus finally announced pricing and plans for the iPhone. Below are the details as per the email.

Get ready to be happy! The info you’ve been waiting for on the new iPhone 3G is here, and we’re excited to share it with you!

Pricing and plans
Optus is making the iPhone 3G affordable for everyone. We’re introducing a great new range of iPhone specific plans that are loaded with BONUS mobile data value for Mobile Internet Browsing.

And the great news is you’ll be able to get an 8G iPhone 3G from Optus for $0 on a $79 Cap plan over 24 months which provides $550 of calls, text and more, plus a whopping 700MB of included mobile data for Mobile Internet Browsing. And to help you fully explore your new iPhone 3G, we’ll be providing unlimited mobile data for the first month free on all Optus contracted iPhone plans when you connect for 24 months.

Prefer no contract? We’ll be beefing up our pre-paid Turbo plans with big data allowances and great new start-up bonus of $400 on all iPhones purchases.

All iPhone handsets are fully subsidised for customers who chose a pricing plans based on a 24 month contract that require a minimum monthly spend in excess of $89.

The basic $79 plan included $550 worth of calls and 700MB worth of mobile data usage, Optus said.

Optus is offering a $179 plan aimed at high-usage customers which includes $1500 worth of calls and texts, and 1GB of data.

Under both plans, calls are charged at 35 cents per 30 seconds and text messages are 25 cents each.

Optus will sell Apple’s 8GB 3G iPhone for the outright price of AU$729 and AU$849 for the 16GB model, when purchased with Optus prepaid SIM cards.

Click here for full pricing and plan information

Posted by Mark Griffin Posted in: Tech and Gadgets No Comments » July 2008