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Telecommunications Telstra says mobiles are top of the “back to school shopping list”
Telecommunications Telstra says mobiles are top of the “back to school shopping list” | Telstra says mobiles are top of the “back to school shopping list” |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Friday, 16 January 2009 | |
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Given all these capabilities, many people young and old would probably be lost without their phones today. I even remember reading that fewer people bothered wearing watches, using their phones as timepieces, instead. Now, Telstra is a telecommunications company that wants as many customers on its network as possible (as opposed to the networks of its competitors), so it’s not surprising to see them promoting mobile phones as “essential”, but even so they make some very good points. Telstra’s Executive Director of the Consumer Division, Jenny Young, said: “Kids are becoming more independent, taking public transport to school, travelling to afterschool sports training and we are seeing more and more parents purchasing mobile phones for their kids for safety and to stay in contact”. There are those who believe it’s not a good idea to give mobile phones to children when they are too young, citing “mobile radiation” as a possible danger to growing brains and bodies, but if these worries are real, they don’t seem to be worrying too many parents – nor Telstra. Telstra quotes research from the US “Neilsen Company” which predicts that “this will be the biggest back to school season yet for mobile phone purchases; stating that young people are driving mobile internet and messaging growth in Australia and that mobile phones have become just as much a part of daily school life for kids today as pens and pencils.” Telstra’s Jenny Young added that: “Parents want to stay in touch with their children but they’re also concerned about blowing the budget. It’s important for parents to teach kids that owning a mobile is a privilege not a right. We advise parents to sit down with their kids to discuss a set budget which will help them keep track of their usage. “Telstra recently announced four new pre-paid offers that are designed for customers who want simplicity and certainty, making them ideal for parents and their kids heading back to school. “In addition to parents staying in contact with their children, with Telstra’s Whereis Everyone, parents can see their child’s approximate location via mobile maps, which offers parents another level of safety and security when trying to keep track of their kids while they're not at home. “Telstra prepaid customers also have access to our Next G network, Australia’s largest and fastest national mobile network,” concluded Ms Young. As you’d expect, Telstra is taking the opportunity to promote its range of Next G capable pre-paid mobile phones. It says there are 11 different models which start at $99, “making them an affordable and attractive option for students and first time users helping to provide an important lesson on budgeting.” Telstra also promotes its “pre-paid wireless broadband” on Telstra’s Next G network which is says adds “more control to web access” and promotes its “Telstra Pre-Paid” website. Please read on to page 2 for Telstra’s “Top-Tips to help manage your child’s mobile spend”. |
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