The SingTel subsidiary became the last major Australian telco to offer two-year warranties for mobile phones following an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigation into the matter in 2009.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA), which was subject to the initial investigations, , with Telstra .

However, in both cases the extended warranties excluded Apple’s iPhone, which continued to have a 12-month warranty.

Introduction of Australian Consumer Law, which came into effect on 1 January 2011, allowed the ACCC to push for the inclusion of the iPhone in the set of phones covered under a warranty lasting the life of the contract.

Under the court enforceable undertakings lodged by Optus this week, the telco has agreed to provide an express repair warranty for mobile phones for the life of the contract and replace the unit within its ‘early life failure’ period, or 30 days for most manufacturers.