Telstra to Also Offer iPhone in Australia

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Telstra announced (http://www.telstra.com.au/nextgnetwork/iphone.htm) that they will be offering the iPhone 3G in Australia.Introducing iPhone 3G. With fast 3G wireless technology, Maps with GPS, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. And like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one—a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and full web browsing. iPhone 3G. It redefines what a mobile phone can do—again.Telstra is currently accepting registration of interest in the new iPhone 3G. Telstra joins Optus and Vodafone in offering the iPhone in Australia, and will also be available on July 11th.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/30/telstra-to-also-offer-iphone-in-australia/)

[ezekielrage_99]

Telstra has also announced the pricing as well, being a Telstra service it seems way over priced.

Here for prices (http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23945988-5016091,00.html)

[hendot]

iPhone 3G will be available from Telstra on July 11 with a range of specially designed Next G™
iPhone 3G plans that meet the needs of any customer. The Next G iPhone 3G plans start at $30
per month with an upfront cost of $279 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB model.
Customers will receive the 8GB iPhone 3G model at no cost with the $80 plan and either the 8GB
or the 16GB model at no cost with plans starting at $100 per month. All plans include free Wi-Fi
access at Telstra hotspots and require a 24-month contract.


The plans look pretty good I think

[Chundles]

Telstra has also announced the pricing as well, being a Telstra service it seems way over priced.

Here for prices (http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23945988-5016091,00.html)

The plans are actually pretty damned aggressive.

I'm shocked - I thought that the plans would start at $79 per month not $30.

[johnnyjibbs]

It's all about the data though. An iPhone needs unlimited data or it's useless. Does Telstra offer unlimited data?

[DoFoT9]

It's all about the data though. An iPhone needs unlimited data or it's useless. Does Telstra offer unlimited data?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

they day that happens is the day im rich..
thats hilarious.

telstra is a privately owned company, they work for the share holders, not the people they sell their services to. they wont give us unlimited and thats why they are so hated as a company here is aus.

[lstoll]

No details on what the plans include though... the Standard NextG plans at those points only include 20mb of data, so they could either be really good value, or really bad - hope we find out soon.

[madbad01]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

they day that happens is the day im rich..
thats hilarious.

telstra is a privately owned company, they work for the share holders, not the people they sell their services to. they wont give us unlimited and thats why they are so hated as a company here is aus.

Well said. They're also hated for their shi*ty customer service, long wait times, high prices and out-of-the-blue thousand dollar bills. I'm glad Telstra crumbled first and spilled on the plans. Hopefully Optus and Vodafone will kick their asses with data and call value.

Privatization was such a ****** up.

[odedia]

I was living quite well with the 120MB limit here in Israel. Sure, I wouldn't do youtube all day long, but in general it provided most of my needs. Ofcourse, whenever possible I used WiFi

[nlivo]

Wow, I'm really impressed with those prices. The recently announced Canadians prices got me worried but it's all good in my eyes. I'll still want to know how data it offers and if it'll be possible to turn off the data once you clock over the monthly limit. The only thing that is a little disappointing is the 400 dollar price tag on the 16gb model. I would've thought the maximum would've been about $350. I would also like to know if they one that can be bought outright, but looking at the 16gb price tag, I could imagine it would cost A LOT!!!

[MikeELL]

Well said. They're also hated for their shi*ty customer service, long wait times, high prices and out-of-the-blue thousand dollar bills. I'm glad Telstra crumbled first and spilled on the plans. Hopefully Optus and Vodafone will kick their asses with data and call value.

Privatization was such a ****** up.

If they were to offer >500Mb/month data included in the minimum plan I might actually consider switching back to Telstra. If Three (who I'm with currently) doesn't get it, I figure I might as well switch to the carrier with the greatest coverage.

[batchtaster]

Since they refuse to offer outright purchase, it looks like I'll be buying one outright from Optus or Vodafone and stuffing my Telstra SIM into it...

[m242]

It's true we don't know the data limits yet, but the plans all include free wi-fi at Telstra hotspots, which is pretty much the whole CBD areas in Sydney and Melbourne at least. That is a quantum leap from previous plans.

[crfrider24]

yes 3 carriers in australia now. at leats we get choice for whole long they have made us wait.

[needthephone]

Those prices seem, and I choke as I say it, Excellent.

The free access to the hotspots will in all probability persuade me to go with, um gulp, TELSTRA!

This http://www.telstra.com.au/wirelesshotspots/locations.htm


shows the Hotspots areouind Australia-They are everywhere, in fact everywhere you would need them Starbucks, Shopping Centres, all the major city centres and CBD's, Macdonlads.

Even if $ 30 a month doesn't include data, I wouldn't have any need for 3G internet access as these hotspots are so widespread. then add my own home and work wifi.

Telstra here I come me thinks.

No way optus or voda could compete unless $30 a month included unlimited 3G data.

Plus Telstra has , it must be sad, probably the most comprehensive and fastest network in any country so this could be un beatable.

[MattInOz]

Steve said the 8Gb will be sold world wide for no more $199us right?

which at todays exchange rate is $227aus.
Telstra are $279 on a $30plan for 2years.

Hoping Vodafone and Optus can do a bit better.

[nathanxu]

Steve said the 8Gb will be sold world wide for no more $199us right?

which at todays exchange rate is $227aus.
Telstra are $279 on a $30plan for 2years.

Hoping Vodafone and Optus can do a bit better.

Isn't the US has the VAT tax? That $199 US is excluding the VAT Tax? I hope its going to be cheap anyway.

[rtao]

Telstra is not going to rip you off on this fancy phone... you gotta kidding me.....
its gonna be a catch somewhere along the line

[overanalyzer]

I'm moving to Australia for a year in August (basing in Sydney and Melbourne, but traveling quite a bit). Having loved my iPhone for the year so far I am hoping to get a 3G iPhone upon arrival. How do Vodafone, Optus and Telstra compare? And what about Three, assuming they get an iPhone deal?

[Ivan P]

I'm moving to Australia for a year in August (basing in Sydney and Melbourne, but traveling quite a bit). Having loved my iPhone for the year so far I am hoping to get a 3G iPhone upon arrival. How do Vodafone, Optus and Telstra compare? And what about Three, assuming they get an iPhone deal?

All I can say is don't go with Telstra unless you're going to be spending heaps of time out of the city; while Optus and Vodafone ultimately have much smaller coverage, they are much better providers where they have been established.

[curmi]

For those of you on 3, for example, $30 a month means $120 worth of calls, and $70 worth of free calls to other 3 users.

Telstra's $30 a month might mean $30 of calls. Total.

We don't know until they reveal more information. So these plans might sound good, but I'd wait and see...

[nathanxu]

The free Wi-fi does songs pretty good. That would means unlimited for wi-fi right?

[NicP]

Does anyone have any idea how much data these plans give you? The telstra website is awful at giving any meaningful information on their plans.

[kevinnugent]

Does anyone have any idea how much data these plans give you? The telstra website is awful at giving any meaningful information on their plans.

There's the rub with Telstra. All this sounds great but.... Wait for the detail. The devil will be hiding in there somewhere. :)

[needthephone]

Three haven't announced and I can't see them get it now. There network is very patchy and has to resort to roaming on other networks, which you have to pay a supplement for if you use data downloads.

A Genius at the apple store in Sydney said Three didn't meet apples basic requirements so don't hold your breath,

Three also told me to expect an announcement on the 30th June-Nothing from Three so I think they have lost if for now.

I'm with Three and when I get my iphone I will probably still keep my Three phone to make calls as it costs me absolutely nothing. I'm on First on Three which is an amazing plan.

I don't think telstra are as evil as you are making out, lets not get carried away, they aren't MS. Yes they are a big giant but they do have the best mobile network probably in the world (especially when you consider the size and some of the remote areas of Australia)and those free hotspots are so tempting.
The Next G network is impressive-go and read reviews on it and Iv'e seen it used for internet on the move.

Big companies are often the cheapest as they have economies of scale.

It also must be said that they are the only real Australian mobile company. Three are part owned by Hutchinson Wampoa of Honk Kong (or is it Orange in France, I can't keep up as Three is always changing hands it seems-nobody wants them?) Optus is Singapores Singtel, Vodafone is UK owned, Virgin UK owned.

Not that it matters but I don't mind supporting an Australian company, being an Australian! To me I'm rapidly coming round to telstra now they have iphone.

Lets see what Vodafone and Optus offer now! Just how will they combat those free wifi hotspots!! Its just great for us though.

[Lumeswell]

It also must be said that they are the only real Australian mobile company. Three are part owned by Hutchinson Wampoa of Honk Kong (or is it Orange in France, I can't keep up as Three is always changing hands it seems-nobody wants them?) Optus is Singapores Singtel, Vodafone is UK owned, Virgin UK owned.


I guess you could say that used to be true, but are the majority of shareholders in Telstra Australian owned companies? I suspect you would find a lot of big international companies on their share register. I don't know about the others, but Im pretty sure you could buy shares in Singtel Optus if you wanted, but just like Telstra the 'mum and dad investors' don't really have a say in the running of the company.

So for Telstra a chunk of their profit goes overseas just like the others - the benefits of privatisation I guess.

At the end of the day none of them are 'Australian owned', but they are giving jobs to Australians, and their main focus is on developing business in Australia - with the possible exception of Telstra who do have the market sown up here and so must look at overseas investments and opportunities in a bid to grow their business.

Personally, I still wish they didn't get it because of the knitting comment - but if they are going to play at least let them provide competition to keep everyone competitive.

[happydude]

oh, aussie's i'm sorry. i lived and worked in australia for 6 months and telstra was the worst experience i've had with any company ever ever ever ever ever. at least you'll have an iphone, sorry it is with telstra. sucky, dudes.

[Finiksa]

Virgin UK owned.
Actually Virgin are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Optus, so Singapore.

[leigh.munro]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

they day that happens is the day im rich..
thats hilarious.

telstra is a privately owned company, they work for the share holders, not the people they sell their services to. they wont give us unlimited and thats why they are so hated as a company here is aus.


I guess you never heard of the Hiptop. Telstra have a unlimited Data Plan (sms / Web Browsing / email / IM) and only $30 a month... Catch is you need to have one of the hiptop handsets... Whats to stop them from offering something similar for the iPhone?

[GregA]

telstra is a privately owned company, they work for the share holders, not the people they sell their services to. they wont give us unlimited and thats why they are so hated as a company here is aus.

Every telco here is a privately owned company that works for the share holders.

But Telstra has monopoly power and doesn't want other companies to succeed since that would be at Telstra's expense... It's our perception (right or wrong) that they are unfairly using their power which is largely why we dislike them. I personally will avoiding supporting Telstra since I don't like their business practices.

As for the mobile networks though - Telstra, Optus, & Vodafone compete nicely. Telstra always charges more though, and they keep customers because they are perceived as a premium service, and they do have a slightly better network in the cities. They also have the only 3G network in country areas for now (Optus & Vodafone are launching theirs now, on a frequency the iPhone won't support unfortunately). Anyway - there's no reason Telstra wouldn't do unlimited, but it's more likely we'll see it from Vodafone or Optus.

Note: If I was using the iPhone in country areas I'd HAVE to look at Telstra. My father wants coverage when boating in some unusual areas, so he should consider it.

Three haven't announced and I can't see them get it now. There network is very patchy and has to resort to roaming on other networks, which you have to pay a supplement for if you use data downloads.

Three would be quite appealing if the iPhone can be set to NOT use data when it's roaming on Telstra GSM. That way if you go out of range of Three while in the city it won't check email at that time etc, but you can still get phone calls. When you go back into range a minute later your email will be up and working.

Of course, no data in the country if you did this since it's all Telstra GSM there.

[Nermal]

$2 per MB (http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/plans/browsing_packs.html) for casual data?! :eek: (I don't know whether that applies to iPhones).

[funwithstuff]

$2 per MB (http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/plans/browsing_packs.html) for casual data?! :eek: (I don't know whether that applies to iPhones).

That data pricing applies to most of their phones. It's possible they've done something amazing for the iPhone (and they've done some OKish Blackberry plans) but I'm not holding my breath and they're not saying (yet).

Their other "Next G" (their marketing name for 850MHz 3G) phone plans include $25 calls and $5 data for your $30/month, and that $5 gets you 10MB. Calls are 92c/min + 27c call connect, so you're not getting much for your money. You could get much better call rates on business plans but apparently, according to Telstra, you have to go for a special "iPhone plan".

A $29 cap on Vodafone, for example, has similarly horrible call rates but gives you $130 to spend. For data, Virgin offer 1GB of data for $15 (though with huge excess charges).

Telstra have coverage that nobody else does, though: if you want signal outside of cities they're your best bet, and they're not afraid to charge for it.

[ezekielrage_99]

The plans are actually pretty damned aggressive.

I'm shocked - I thought that the plans would start at $79 per month not $30.

It's competitive but like any Telstra "service" there will be plenty of hidden costs.

[MAcNIAC]

they wont give us unlimited and thats why they are so hated as a company here is aus.

i also hate them for how MS centric they are (amongst other things)

eg. bigpond music ... oh and have a look at their ads for using 3G for business video conferencing complete with clunky windows laptop and an external usb web cam (circa 1999) and a PCMCIA 3G card WTF:confused: (and where's my expresscard 3G solution)

[Nermal]

That data pricing applies to most of their phones. It's possible they've done something amazing for the iPhone (and they've done some OKish Blackberry plans) but I'm not holding my breath and they're not saying (yet).

Please don't misinterpret my shock. I'm wondering how Vodafone NZ got away with charging $11.25/MB when you guys get it for $2.

On the other hand, from later this month (due to iPhones?) it drops to 10c/MB over here :)