TAG | 3G iPhone to be a tasty triple-band treat? |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Thursday, 15 May 2008 | |
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Page 3 of 3 So, could Telstra possibly have the best iPhone plan – or the most expensive? The iPhone may well be the first communications device in a long time that could see Telstra truly desire to actually compete on both price and features, especially given that the vast majority of potential iPhone users will reside in major metropolitan areas already well served by 2100MHz 3.5G networks. Vodafone currently has the most generous data plan at 5GB download per month for AUD $39 per month. Optus offers 6GB for AUD $49 per month. But these two plans only exist for 3.5G HSDPA wireless USB modems, and can’t – as yet – be paired onto mobile phones. Telstra, on the other hand, charges $114.95 for 3GB per month, and happily lets you use this with a 3.5G USB wireless modem – or through your Telstra Next G mobile phone. Sadly, however, it is more than double the price that either Vodafone or Optus charge. And there’s also Three Mobile, who have the X-Series plan, offering 2GB of download per month through a mobile phone for $40 per month, with prices starting as low as $15 per month for 1GB when used through a USB wireless modem. We're also still waiting to hear if Three Mobile in Australia will sell the iPhone, but given they have no rural and regional 3.5G network, any 3G iPhone they sell won't be 3G in non-city areas, putting them at a disadvantage. So, given the fact that Telstra will still have the largest Australian network, even at the end of the year, could well see Telstra choose to continue offering the most expensive plans. But this would be a mistake, for most iPhone users will be in the cities first. The iPhone – if Telstra is actually confirmed as getting it – will be a true test for Telstra. If they want to compete, and stop people from buying Optus and Vodafone iPhones, they really will need to compete on price. Can Telstra do that? It’ll surely be very hard for them. But they’ll need to do it to get any true iPhone traction. First, we need Telstra to confirm they are getting the iPhone. Then, we need the 3G iPhone to actually be released. After which all the global 3G iPhone voice and data plans will be heavily scrutinised to see which country offers the best iPhone value. June 9, and answers to all these questions from Steve Jobs, truly can’t come soon enough!
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