Optus is the first Australian carrier to offer free-to-air broadcast content for recording and playback on its 3G mobile network.

The Optus TV Now service enables Optus 3G customers to schedule, record and playback all 15 free-to-air digital television channels from any compatible 3G mobile device or a computing device.

The cloud based service is unmetered and users can opt for a Basic plan with 45 minutes of free storage every month, the Standard Plan providing five hours of storage time for $6.99 per month and the Premium Plan at $9.99 for 20 hours of storage time.

The service effectively turns the mobile handset into a PVR with customers able to download the Electronic Program Guide where they can select programs to record and playback on their handset or PC.

The mostly homegrown platform is expected to be extended to its broadband content offering including Fetch TV.

Optus TV Now is currently available to customers who live in supported metro areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

It is not available to Turbo Max or Turbo Text prepaid customers, or for plans on Windows Media 7 handsets. ®

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