Telstra's June iPhone launch points to 3G

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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Add your opinion

1. iphone Anonymous -- 08/05/08

   And if the price is reasonable , it will sell like hot cakes

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2. Or, Doc -- 08/05/08

   I believe that Optus and Vodafone are busy building WCDMA900 networks even as we speak! Then Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will all have 800-900 band WCDMA networks as well as 2100 band WCDMA networks and I think, EDGE capable GSM networks. What iPhone then, will we get?
   Undoubtedly a nice operating system, but does anyone know if the phone part of the iPhone is any good? It would be a pity if the iPhone was deaf, would it not?.

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   1. RF Sensitivity Anonymous -- 10/05/08

      I have read comments about the 2G iPhone having bellow average reception. Since it was Apples first attempt at a phone handset, lets see if the 3G version will be more sensitive.

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3. Stick to your knitting Anonymous -- 08/05/08

   Telstra should stick to their knitting and keep marketing inferior products at exorbitant prices.
   
   Can you imagine how much they'll charge for data downloads? I can, and will be connecting my iPhone to a customer-friendly carrier.

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4. Love my scarf Anonymous -- 09/05/08

   What does your comment have to do with the story.
   
   Oh that's right ... you can not have a communications story without some F*** Wit making a stupid comment about Telstra.
   
   With 3 carriers and one uniform device there will be a thing called competition, each company will win their share of clients. Some will win based on price, some on speed, some on coverage, some on content, some on peer pressure and most on a combination. For me price is about 10% of my decision is price, 60% on coverage, 29% on speed and 1% on the rest. Right now for me Telstra wins but if someone is able to deliver what I need then I may switch, until then I will let each person decide on what is important to themselves.

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   1. Then hang yourself with it Anonymous -- 24/06/08

      Do you drive a statesman or a fairlane?

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5. Cost of Data Jongleur -- 09/05/08

   I have been reviewing the plans currently available across the industry, and none are priced suitably for individual use. The biggest discrepency is that you can get a NextG modem and multi-GB quota for a desktop/notebook, for considerably less than a data plan for a mobile.
   
   All vendors, especially Telstra, will have to improve the plan/service offerings for the iPhone and other smart phones.

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   1. What Cost? . -- 24/06/08

      Check out the wireless broadband plans from Optus, which can also be used as a data plan for a handset.
      And while your there, ask about the steak knives too.

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6. What about 3? Yves -- 09/05/08

   Well at least it looks to be unlocked so i can buy it outright and use it on 3.

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   1. 3 Anonymous -- 09/05/08

      Yves, i've tried my 3 sim in unlocked phone before and it never works, so i'm guessing it'd be the same thing here.

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   2. 3 Anonymous -- 09/05/08

      Not if its 3G. The only reason it doesn't work in current iPhone is because 3 sims will only work in 3G handsets.

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   3. 3 or 4? Sara -- 09/05/08

      Each of the 4 major companies have their own sims and none of them will work on another carrier's network. The difference is that 3 has chosen to use a different standard then the rest which if anything has been detrimental to their growth meaning manufacturers have to make devices to accommodate their sim cards.

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   4. sim and usim... Anonymous -- 04/06/08

      sorry sara, but youre incorrect, networks dont have their own sims. a sim card is used on 2g/gsm networks. 3g/umts optus, vodafone and telstra customers use usims. 3 only uses usims because theyre a 3g/umts network and do not offer 2g/gsm services. phone manufacturers do not need to make phones to accomadate a specific network, 3g phones are all capable of using either sim or usims.

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   5. No Anonymous -- 14/06/08

      actually Three uses special locked phones and you can only use three sim cards with three phones. so unless three sell the iphone u cant get it on 3.

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   6. Trick to unlock 3 Handset Anonymous -- 24/06/08

      Put it on the street and drive over it and if that doesn't work it's probably broken. Now that we've established that, go and buy a plan with a decent carrier.

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