Stuart Corner
Sunday, 08 October 2006 03:54
Opinion and Analysis
Page 3 of 4
And for all the hype about speed, HSDPA at these speeds will soon be available from Optus, Hutchison and Vodafone over the major metropolitan areas and eventually to most major centres: so the Telstra alternative's key advantage will be for those who envisage using the service elsewhere.
When it comes to making purchasing decisions they will have to weigh up the advantages of greater coverage against, in handsets, a more limited range.
According to an internal Optus memo on the Next G launch, "Telstra is the only carrier in the world rolling out their 3G Networks using 2100Mhz & 850Mhz in combination. This will be a challenge for them in terms of handset availability... Telstra's handset range will initially be limited to three consumer-grade models. This means no Nokia, Sony Ericsson, 02, Rim or Motorola devices are available. These are the models 95 percent of our customers buy today and will want in future. The global roadmap from manufacturers does not include many low to mid range 850Mhz handsets...businesses will pay more for 850MHz handsets over time."
Finally there is always the possibility that the ACCC will spoil the party by declaring the underlying carriage service, forcing Telstra to provide wholesale access to its competitors.
