Carrier

Optus which is a leading Mobile service provider in Australia has apparently blocked Aussie Android users from downloading paid apps from Android Market. We recently reported that Optus has plans on launching their own App store. Optus is Australia’s 2nd largest mobile carrier and the exclusive Australian mobile carrier for the HTC Dream and Samsung Galaxy Android phones.

There are also reports that Optus customers who use other outright purchased Android handsets and customers of Virtual Mobile Network Operators like Virgin Mobile which use Optus mobile towers are also blocked from buying paid apps.

apcmag.com is reporting that when they contacted Optus , they were given a dodgy statement “Optus is currently working with Google to provide an Android application store to our customers, and we are optimistic it will be available soon”. It’s likely that Optus are refusing access because they want a slice of the revenue from paid apps by selling it through their own app store.

There are ways around it:
1) Put a SIM from another carrier like Telstra, Vodafone, 3 Mobile etc into their phone and use local WiFi access or that SIM’s data plan to access paid Android apps

OR

2) Wipe the phone’s Optus Android Firmware and install custom Android Firmware. Then use the Market Enabler App (will void warranty and if things go south you might brick your device)

In any case, if you pick up an unlocked Android phone, is is best not to go with Optus.

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