Optus offers cloud backup for smartphone content

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 11:52

Your IT - Mobility

Optus has launched an in-the-cloud file backup service for its mobile and fixed line broadband customers, developed in partnership with F-Secure.

The service, Optus Smart Safe,  allows customers to back up, and store content from their mobile handset or PC/laptop and access it via the web.

The service is available free of charge to Optus prepaid and postpaid consumer and SMB mobile customers and will be offered to fixed broadband customers in coming months. It comes with 500MB of free storage, but Optus says this "may be withdrawn at any time." 10GB of additional storage costs $5.99 per month or 300GB $14.99 per month.

For mobile customers data transfers will not be deducted from their quota, but customers accessing backed-up data over their Optus fixed broadband connection will deplete their data quota.

Customers with compatible Optus smartphones will need to download the Optus Smart Safe mobile client, which enables them to back up content from their handset. They can also install the PC or Mac client that provides automated back up functionality from their desktop or laptop.

Backed up files are then accessible anywhere with an Internet connection. Customers can use the MyZoo Web Portal to manage their service, download and view backed up files online and can share files by sending their contacts a link that allows access to a the selected file. They are also able to set up automated back up that backs up files whenever they are changed.

The range of phones, supported, however is limited. There is no iPhone client, only one HTC, the Incredbile S (an Android) is supported, one BlackBerry- the Bold 9700 - and thee Motorolas - MB200, MB300, MB501. However Nokia is well covered with over 30 models supported, along with a handful of Sony Ericsson, LG and Samsung devices.

Smartphone users wanting a backup facility would do well to consider Dropbox. It supports Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, iPhones, iPads, Android and BlackBerry smartphones. Backup is automatic and instantaneous: a file placed in a Dropbox folder on any device is automatically backed up into the cloud and accessible from any other of the user's devices. For PCs the files are automatically downloaded when they are online and are then accessible offline. 2GB of storage is free, 50GB costs $US9.99 per month and 100GB $US19.99 per month.