On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:52:01 +0900, Horry wrote:


> Dunno if this has been mentioned here before, but:
>
> http://www.telstra.com.au/nextgnetwo...-t.com-292x163

Telstra's iPhone entry upsets rivals' apple cart

* Jesse Hogan
* July 1, 2008

HOPES of Optus and Vodafone of an iPhone-fuelled sales edge over Telstra
have been dashed by the No. 1 telco finally reaching a deal with Apple.

While Telstra's announcement comes three weeks after those of Optus and
Vodafone, its tardiness is immaterial because all three will begin selling
the device on July 11.

The issue of Telstra selling the iPhone - an iPod music player with
built-in voice calling and internet access - had more been about "when"
rather than "if" because of its suitability for 850-megahertz 3G networks,
exclusively used in Australia by Telstra for its Next G network.

The iPhone will also work on the 2100MHz networks used by all carriers in
metropolitan areas but not on the 900MHz networks Optus and Vodafone are
building in less densely populated areas.

Telstra also gave more detail on pricing than its rivals. The cheapest
monthly plan will be $30, paying either $279 upfront for an eight-gigabyte
iPhone or $399 for a 16Gb model. Customers who do not want to pay upfront
could sign up to an $80 plan for the 8Gb model or a $100 plan for the 16Gb
model.

While the 24-month plans will offer free Wi-Fi internet access at Telstra
hot spots, such as McDonald's and Starbucks stores, there was no detail
about pricing, suggesting no plan will feature capped pricing and that
customers will have to pay extra for wireless internet access. Optus
confirmed it would offer the 8Gb model for $0 upfront on its $79 cap.

3 Mobile, now the only carrier without iPhone rights, has tried to
increase pressure on its rivals by undercutting their capped pricing
plans.

http://www.telstra.com.au/iphone