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Telstra to offer iPhone 3G in Australia?
Australian carrier Telstra is set to be announced as the country’s third iPhone 3G service provider, according to a new report. Citing people close to the company, Australian IT reports Telstra chief Sol Trujillo may make an announcement next week, and could launch the device as early as July 22. Sources also indicated that Telstra retail chief David Moffatt and a team of his senior executives were given a preview of the new flagship Apple retail store in Sydney last week. According to the report, previously announced carriers Optus and Vodafone have already seen heavy interest in the device. Vodafone’s pre-registration site has seen around 40,000 visitors a day since launching early last week, while Optus has been forced to stop accepting advance deposits on the phone, as demand is simply too high. “Due to an overwhelming response, we have removed the deposit-taking mechanism from [our] website,” said an Optus spokesperson. Telstra has yet to comment on the story.
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1
good news for australians and thanks for reporting this ilounge.
even though telstra are hopeless at what they do, nothing bad can be brought about with more competition. that just leaves one of the four major networks without the iphone in australia (3/hutchinson telecom).
Posted by wlp on June 19, 2008 at 10:16 AM (PDT)
2
I’m still skeptical; the Australian IT article doesn’t really have any verifiable facts; I still think Telstra are going to be marketing a HTC or Samsung unit in competition with the iPhone. They have too much money invested in Sensis and Bigpond Music. Telstra will eventually get the iPhone, but it won’t be until they have taken a substantial blow to their customer base.
I may be trying to justify my $100 Optus deposit; I may be looking forward to the much-needed shake-up the Australian Telecommunications industry needs; If I’m wrong, I’m wrong but we won’t know for sure until next week, and maybe not until 22nd of July.
If there is one aspect of Telstra I have faith in, it’s their inability to read the market; and their desire that consumers will only believe what their Service Provider tells them.
Posted by Dan Woods on June 19, 2008 at 2:23 PM (PDT)