Will the iPhone be a Next G handset?
Telstra will be the third mobile provider to sell the iPhone in Australia starting from the end of June, a source has confirmed to CNET.com.au.
The news that Telstra will carry the Apple handset comes in light of CNET.com.au's recent report that Optus also intends to sell the iPhone, and Vodafone's official announcement that it will be bringing the handset to 10 new markets.
Telstra's decision to offer the iPhone points to an imminent release of a highly-anticipated 3G model.
While there has been no official confirmation from Apple of a 3G iPhone, Telstra's licensing of the handset strongly suggests the company intends to release a multi-frequency (850/2100MHz) HSDPA-capable iPhone to work with both Optus and Vodafone's 3G networks, as well as Telstra's Next G network.
In the event a multi-frequency 3G handset is not released, Telstra will have the option of either selling the first generation of the iPhone (compatible with the company's EDGE network), or offering the same 2100MHz handset as Optus and Vodafone. While Telstra also provides a 2100MHz service, the network footprint is considerably smaller than Telstra's Next G network which Telstra claims covers 98 percent of Australia's population.
A spokesperson for Telstra declined to comment, however, CNET.com.au understands that the deal will be announced before the end of the month.
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The__Godfather
08/05/2008 01:35 PM
This was to be expected, will be interesting to see if there will be an official statement from telstra of the deal.
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Hjalmar
08/05/2008 03:08 PM
lets just hope that telstra dont put all of their rubbish on it eg. foxtel (i hate it when phones are rebranded!)
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Simmo
09/05/2008 05:21 PM
AT&T's 3G network in the US is an 850MHz network so its a safe bet iPhone will run on Next G
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cameronmort
09/05/2008 10:31 PM
YYEEESSSS I really want it but the fact its GSM scares me yaay for telstra
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cameronmort
09/05/2008 10:54 PM
does anyone have any idea what the price maybe
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pirate
12/05/2008 02:51 PM
well... if you intend to buy through Telstra you can count on it costing more than any of the other providers. I heard that apple also plans to sell the iphone outright in australia, that would be better, then you could pick whatever network you liked + whatever plan. Oh well we only have to wait til June.
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mrjigsaw
12/05/2008 09:54 PM
why would telstra charge more for it outright than other carriers? you're a goose. outright sales mean NOTHING to Telstra. It's all about the plans, and the way I see it if they release a Next G version they can charge whatever they like 'cos the Next G network gobbles the other networks up for breakfast any day of the week.
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rustyute_21
28/05/2008 11:09 PM
telstra claim to have 98% of australia covered by next G. what a load of hogwash. its only offered in the major cities such as melbourne and sydney etc according to its maps. none of the rural or regional areas have it yet...
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dopey
09/07/2008 11:04 PM
rustyute u tool next g covers 98% of the population not physical land coverage.
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