Optus tells PM World Cup streaming issues to be fixed

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has spoken to the chief executive of Optus over the telco giant’s streaming issues of the World Cup.

Many Optus customers complained the streaming service dropped out during Argentina's showdown with Iceland.

Leo Messi after missing a penalty against Iceland Source: SBS The World Game

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has spoken to the chief executive of Optus over the telco giant’s streaming issues of the World Cup.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been assured by the chief executive of Optus that the telco giant’s streaming issues of the World Cup will be fixed by Monday night.

"I have spoken with the Optus CEO, Allen Lew. He assures me he is giving the World Cup streaming problems his personal attention and he believes it will be fixed this evening," Mr Turnbull tweeted.

It comes as SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid also raised the possibility of helping Optus with its coverage.

Optus has been facing a barrage of criticism over apparent buffering issues besetting its coverage of the World Cup via its Optus Sports app.

Customers have taken to social media to complain about streaming issues. One told SBS News how constant lag and slow buffering prevented him from enjoying the anticipated showdown between Argentina and Iceland.

Mr Turnbull, a former communications minister, earlier told reporters he would try to call Optus CEO Allen Lew on the mater.

“I hope to speak to him later on today to seek his assurances that the failure in the streaming service has been rectified,” he told reporters in Canberra.

“If Optus continues to have problems then we might have a conversation about how we can help them further in terms of putting some of those games on our channels and we’re certainly able and willing to do that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Optus is offering disgruntled customers a free set-top box to watch the matches. Customers can pick the Fetch Mini boxes from their nearest Optus store.

“We know some customers didn't have a great experience watching the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ during the opening nights and for that we are sorry,” the telco said on its website.

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By Rashida Yosufzai, Helen Chen

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