I'm not sure about the usage alerts... I am on a $79 CAP and I have my usage, billing, etc all set up. It gives me the option to have usage alerts.

ETA: Okay, just tried setting up usage alert and it came up with this: The service you have selected is on a mobile plan or fixed line service that does not support Usage Alerts.

F&%&ers.

Hmm - I think they're telling you crap. I had the same thing. When you signed a contract they should have given you the opportunity to register a username and a password. With that, you need to log into "My Account" on Optus - Welcome to Optus.com.au and then LINK your mobile number to that account. For some stupid reason, it doesn't do it automatically. That's when you enter your information, billing account number, mobile phone number, etc.

It should take about 24hours to link together and then you should be able to go in and track your calls and data usage.

Cheers guys. I guess I'll give 'em a ring and ask them for another one so I can log in.

EDIT: lol, dammit, the optus automated robot voice is broken. She kept cutting out. I can't answer yes or no to a question I didn't hear, dammit! Optus are having heaps of problems with their website and now their phone support, too. Sheesh.

As I ordered my iPhone with Optus over the phone I don't actually have an account number as yet. Well, I probably do, just that I don't know what it is. Of course, that will be listed on my first bill. I might call them later tonight and see if they're able to pass my acc number on.

I have been able to set up a web account with Optus, but I can't link my mobile without the acc number.

Call them and ask for your billing account number. They'll be able to tell you then and there. That other weird number it asks for when you link your account is actually just your mobile phone number.

Alright its a relief I have found a forum topic on this issue. Its a deal breaker for me.Currently trying to decide if the vodafone $99 cap or Optus $89 is the best for me.Optus is obviously offering a better deal overall but my main issue is if i can keep a track of data usage AND call usage during the course of the month, to avoid a massive bill arriving at the end of the month. Optus have given me conflicting reports. I spoke to 4 different agents, 3 said i can track usage and 1 said its defintely not possible at this point in time but they are developing a system due to be rolled out in october if all goes well. Bare in mind i was refering to both data and call usage ($600 worth on the $89 cap).

I also came across an interesting peice of info while reading the "devil in the detail"; terms and conditions:


‘YES’ IPHONE CAP PLAN Terms and Conditions

You must be a new or eligible existing customer who applies to connect to the Optus Mobile Digital service, and passes the Optus credit assessment and is accepted by Optus. Existing customers must demonstrate that over the three continuous months prior to applying that they have an average monthly spend equal to at least the monthly access fee of your new ‘yes’ iPhone Cap plan. The ‘yes’ iPhone Cap Plans are only available to you if use an iPhone handset which remains connected on this plan. If your iPhone handset is no longer used and connected on the ‘yes’ iPhone Cap Plan then Optus will transfer your service to an equivalent non iPhone Cap rate plan.

‘yes’ iPhone $19, $49, $59, $79, $89, $149, $179 Cap plans: Pay the first ‘cap plan’ worth of national voice calls and text, international SMS, VoiceMail, each billing period, after which these services are free up to a maximum of the ‘included value’ per billing period. You will pay the ‘minimum cap’ amount each month even if you do not make calls to that value. For the part month, you will pay only part of the minimum spend and you will also receive only part of the Cap amount. [b]You are not able to view your monthly usage prior to receiving your bill[/B]. If you exceed the ‘included value’ of these services in any one billing period, standard rates of your plan will apply.


Can anybody who has signed up with Optus on the $89 cap confirm that data and call uage can be tracked live?

I don't think that anyone has been able to do that so far... although most of us who have contacted Optus about it are being assured that it will be possible once they get the problem with "my account" online sorted out.

Haha, yeah, I'd worked that one out.

Got my account number this morning,
Same problem as everyone else. Can't check usage or set up an usage alert.
My account didn't escape the problems
I sent an email off probably asking the same questions others have asked, but got to keep trying don't we? The more people who contact them the better really. Has anyone contacted Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman about the matter? I noticed someone in another thread talking about them. I don't think I'll go that far yet, since I've had my account activated a few days ago.. Anyone else contacted them though and got a response?

i havn't personally called optus about this issue yet. i'm still waiting for my account to be activated.

though the people who have called optus seemed to be told more often that not that optus is "working on it" that "they are aware of the issue" etc.

so until there is clarification from optus that there is NO live billing, i'm happy enough to wait for a bit and let them get their stuff sorted out. bit early for the TIO, but i'll happily call them at a later day if optus decides not to offer live billing to iphone customers (and singling us out in the process!)

Do they offer live billing to any customers?

I can access the usage of my mobile number and now on the phone with Optus to sort out the usage alerts.
She's talking to another teamleader about the usage alerts and was a bit surprised it doesn't work......

She's back and told me that is supposed to work for the new IPhone plans and was advised by the other teamleader to log an incident report. In other words it is a bug. She also told me that she was going to send me an sms or call me directly after this is done.

That's all

Cheers,

Rudi

Could be good news..
Please keep us all updated!

Just in case you're interested to see what it looks like.

Nice! Thanks for posting the screengrab too.

You might want to PM Jedda. He's working on an iPhone version of Ration. Take a look at: Who wants to help me finish Ration mobile?

Done!