Telstra slams Optus for cancelling Fusion wireless broadband

An Optus representative told iTnews, “Optus has made the decision to suspend sales of Optus Wireless Fusion to ensure we deliver an optimum experience to our customers using the product.

“Existing Optus Wireless Fusion customers will continue to be supported by Optus and experience no disruption to their service.”

The Fusion service, part of Optus's 3G wireless network, was reportedly clogged by new iPhone users, causing slow traffic and long queues for customer service.

Telstra slammed its rival for cancelling the service, saying that Optus was unable to deliver what it promised customers.

“SingTel Optus might pretend the fault lay in the popularity of its offerings but in reality, this points to an under-engineered and/or an under-invested network that apparently cannot cope with demand or deliver to customers what was promised,” said David Quilty, Telstra’s Group Managing Director, Public Policy and Communications.

Quilty said that the cancellation was 'further evidence that Optus is not up to delivering the National Broadband Network'.

“This disaster really begs the question how anyone could risk something as important as Australia’s broadband future to an operation that cannot get its basic wireless network to work effectively,” said Qulity.

“Imagine entrusting the National Broadband Network to Optus and its monopolist Terria outfit, only to have the admission a few weeks later that it was barely capable of dial-up speeds as was reportedly the case with Fusion.”

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