iPhone

iPhone for Optus, not exclusively

By Joseph Hanlon on 01 May 2008

Optus to sell the iPhone from the end of June

After months of speculation an industry insider (who has asked to remain anonymous) has confirmed to CNET.com.au that Optus will be one of several Australian mobile service providers to be selling Apple's iPhone, with sales and service commencing in the last week of June.

Optus plans to make the announcement mid-May ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference on June 9 in San Francisco where Apple CEO Steve Jobs is tipped to launch the next generation of iPhone.

While this source could not confirm a 3G version of the popular handset, they did suggest that Optus was expecting the upgraded models.

There remains further speculation as to which of the remaining Australian carriers will also licence the sale of the iPhone. With the first generation of the iPhone operating on the EDGE mobile network, the obvious choice had been Telstra as it's the only carrier with the necessary back-end technology.

The possibility of a 3G iPhone opens the door for the remaining carriers, who all provide a 3G service, and may in fact exclude Telstra depending on the latest iPhone model's hardware specifications. For the iPhone to operate on Telstra's Next G network it would need to support the 850MHz frequency, not just the 2100MHz more common in Australia, as well as in Europe and parts of Asia.

It has also been rumoured that Apple may intend to sell the iPhone directly through Apple stores and resellers, and that these phones would be unlocked. In the US CNET.com reports that the current iPhone carrier AT&T is planning a US$200 price drop on the next generation iPhone, subsidising the cost of the handset to prepare for the prospect of competing directly with Apple.

Topics: 3g, apple, iphone, mobile phone, optus, optu, carrier, telstra, june

Related Articles

Comments (12)

  • =D commented on 25/06/2008 16:42 Report abuse

    WE GET FREE BROADBAND IN THE UK

  • talkinganimal commented on 27/05/2008 09:48 Report abuse

    Any mention of camera upgrade on 3G model? Years after the first phone/camera/music player, we are some way to a true 3 in one unit. "YES" I'd like to see that!

  • 0402512119 commented on 06/05/2008 13:20 Report abuse

    this is great..finally!!

  • mattycas commented on 05/05/2008 16:01 Report abuse

    First line of article should read "After months of speculation... more speculation"

  • Jason commented on 05/05/2008 14:02 Report abuse

    lets wait and see what the price tag will be !! Oz is notoriously pricey for PDAs. I suspect they will package it with a silly low amount of data usage, lock you in for 2 years and then you'll realise you need more data so they up the price....just a thought.

  • Chas2427 commented on 04/05/2008 13:10 Report abuse

    yep i can back that up too my mate works for optus/telechoice and his boss has a 3g iphone

  • mmci1525 commented on 03/05/2008 00:48 Report abuse

    @ El Nino From the many news blogs I read, it seems that apple will be releasing the iphone in Australia unlocked and at full retail available at apple stores and phone stores alike. but this is from the blogasphere. But I can't wait for the iphone to come out!

  • 3g spy commented on 02/05/2008 20:10 Report abuse

    Yep, I can confirm this as well. I have sources that tell me Optus has been testing 3g iPhones on their network. Keep your eyes peeled for Optus employees with 3g iPhones ;)

  • El Nino commented on 02/05/2008 20:05 Report abuse

    So if its not exclusively. Then does that mean in will be sold unlocked?

  • McBanjo commented on 01/05/2008 22:29 Report abuse

    There is no way that we'll get the 2.5G model. No way at all, it would be virtually useless since it would only work properly with Telstra. Apple are not idiots.

Post your own comment

Submit

Enter your personal information to the left, or sign in with your Facebook account by clicking the button below.

Connect
Nokia E75 Email made easy. Find out why.
Your iPhone will be happier with Optus.

Must read

  • Best iPhone alternatives

    Just because you don't want an Apple iPhone 3G doesn't mean you don't want...

  • Samsung F480

    The F480 looks like an Omnia, works like an iPhone and may be the best...

  • Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

    Nokia may have been late to the touchscreen party but we like what it's...

  • LG Renoir KC910

    With an excellent 8-megapixel camera and a finger-friendly touchscreen,...

  • LG Crystal GD900

    We finally got our hands on the LG Crystal GD900, which is billed as the...