More Optus Woes: Customers Demand World Cup Compensation

Melbourne, Australia - August 6, 2015: A woman walks past an Optus store on Bourke St. Optus is the second largest telecommunications company in Australia.

Optus is feeling the pressure from angry Optus Sports consumers who had paid for a streaming app to watch the World Cup, only to be faced with buffering, streaming and playback issues.

Now, Aussie consumers are demanding the telco compensate them for the lost games, which will now be broadcast on free-to-air network SBS.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield posted:

Speaking on the issue, an Optus spokesperson said, “This has been an incredibly disappointing and frustrating experience for soccer fans who opted for the Optus service.

“We understand that Optus is working on fixing the problem as soon as possible, but in the meantime, consumers should expect to be compensated for a service that didn’t work as expected.

“If they haven’t already done so they should contact Optus with details of their experience and ask for at least a partial refund of their monthly charge.”

B&T understands Optus will host a press conference later today to address the issues and discuss possible compensation.

Though, the steps needed to make a compensation claim are becoming more and more unclear.

While the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) said customer complaints should be lodged with through the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), ACMA said the opposite.

A spokesperson from TIO encouraged Optus consumers to speak with the telco about the issues.

“We are not able to consider complaints about content services such as sports programs streamed online.

“We can look at billing issues for content services if the charges appear on a phone bill,” she said.

“We have no jurisdiction over content services purchased through app stores. Complaints about content, including content purchased through app stores, should be raised with consumer affairs and fair trading departments.”

Meanwhile, angry Optus consumers have taken to social media to vent their frustration.

B&T will continue reporting on this issue as the story develops.




Please login with linkedin to comment

FIFA Optus SBS World Cup

Latest News

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital
  • Advertising

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital

Revium, a leading full-service digital and AI consultancy, has announced the appointment of Peter Bauld (lead image) as Executive General Manager. Revium is a full-service digital and AI consultancy with over 20 years of experience creating engaging digital experiences for leading organisations and their customers. Bauld joins Revium after an illustrious career spanning over two […]

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
  • Advertising

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup

Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
  • Advertising

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency

After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
  • Campaigns

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two

Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
  • Marketing

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market

Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]