Apple iPhone - Everything you need to know about the Australian iPhone

Telstra finally woos the iPhone

Telstra customers won't have to feel left out any more, now that the telco has announced that the iPhone will be winging its way to its stores 11 July.

For the telco, it has been better late than never.

Although it was rumoured to be gearing up for an iPhone launch in May along with fellow telcos Optus and Vodafone, but when the official announcement frenzy actually started, Telstra's hands were empty.

Reports circulated that it had been in on the deal but had botched it by arguing about whether a Telstra iPhone would come preloaded with Sensis content.

However, all seems forgiven, with Telstra finally announcing it has joined the iPhone 11 July stampede.

"iPhone 3G is an amazing product and we think Telstra's over nine million mobile customers will love it as much as we do," Tim Cook, Apple's COO, said in a statement.

The Next G iPhone 3G plans start at AU$30 per month with an upfront cost of AU$279 for the 8GB model and AU$399 for the 16GB model, although the 8GB model is free on AU$80 plans and the 16GB model is free on AU$100 plans. All plans require a 24-month contract.

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Talkback 37 comments

  1. O happy days! Anonymous -- 30/06/08

    They've seen the light!

  2. looks good.... so far Anonymous -- 30/06/08

    and the prices seem reasonable too....

    but remember, Telstra [after all] has to screw us on something.. and expect it to be data costs :-(

  3. My opinion RL -- 30/06/08

    I think when it comes to data costs it will still be $2 for 1MB. Yet I think Telstra should release a new set of BrowsePlusPacks exclusive to the iPhone.

  4. data costs Anonymous -- 01/07/08

    if telstra does try to rip you off on data costs, then we should protest by using wi-fi conections every chance we can get untill they become more reasonable

    1. data costs Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      Or you could just buy it from Optus or Vodafone. The only good of this announcement is that more competition will help lower the prices alround. I think I will wait 12 months to see how much they drop.

    2. Next G superior. Sydney Lawrence -- 01/07/08

      Why buy an inferior product (reception wise) when Next G is available, Go for gold Australia.

    3. data costs? Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      Besides the aforementioned rip off data costs you mean?

      Next G may well be superior, but Telstra don't care if you 'protest' by not using data and only using wi-fi, they still get their month fee. The only 'protest' they understand (and the impact of this is questionable) is taking your business else where.

    4. Next G not superior. Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      The iPhone is not infact the inferior product, Next G is the inferior product, sure it may have better coverage, but it's speed and prices are terrible, this is the way Telstra are, and always will be, they're pathetic.

    5. RE: Next G not superior Jon -- 01/07/08

      HA HA speed is terrible?????
      NextG is the fastest in the world... in all of Earth there is no faster. http://hspa.gsmworld.com/networks/default.asp?p=1&s=hsdr
      I use it because Optus, Voda and '3' don't care about giving me 3G coverage (or much 2G coverage). price isn't everything quality for me is a better choice for me, Telstra isn't for every1 but if it's not for you; just dont buy it, stop bitching and move on with your life, some people like Telstra; get over it

    6. Next G superior? rod -- 06/07/08

      Next G sucks worst coverage ever. its not superior at all sydney lawrence.

    7. Next G superior???? Anonymous does not forgive -- 06/07/08

      Based on Rod's logic the earth is flat!

      Let's ignore all independent testing
      Lets forget about technical superiority
      Don't worry about the fact that it provides coverage to 300,000 more people and 400,000 more sq Km then the nearest competitor.

      He said it sucks so it must be true!

      You probably changed your name from John to Rod, simply because 4 letters were too many for you to remember.

  5. Sydney Lawrence Anonymous -- 01/07/08

    Sydney, do you work for Telstra? I am quite disinterested in the Telstra good/evil debate, but you are so blindingly loyal to a company that (rightly or wrongly) has clearly alienated a group of people/customers it is hard to believe you are not signiing for a cheque at the end of the month.

    1. Sydney Lawrence Steve Turner -- 01/07/08

      Sydney is an avid Telstra shareholder. Of course he has reason to talk them up at every opportunity :)

      Reasonably good pricing here, though you have to wonder about data costs. And I await seeing the likelihood of Optus and Vodafone being cheaper ...

    2. Sydney Lawrence Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      And why souldn't he.

      Seems like a fairly intelligent idea to invest in the Telco that dominates the market, and pays good dividends to it's shareholders.

    3. ... Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      Pity you have to leave your morals and ethical standards by the wayside to do so.

    4. Next G please. Sydney Lawrence -- 01/07/08

      Sorry if I have offended anyone, I was simply expressing my opinion and did think freedom of speech was still available to all in Australia.

      My thoughts will be proved right or wrong when Australians make their choice on the new iPhone. But I think all will admit Telstra has done the opposition like a dinner again.

      Opps! sorry about that.

    5. Sydney Lawrence Peter Pagan -- 03/07/08

      Well! Who'd a thought a simple observation that Sydney Lawrence seems to be unashamedly biased in his opinion of a certain telco would lead to all this hullabaloo. You are certainly right Sydney that free speech entitles you to say what you want. It is more important however, to focus on what someone is saying. In your case, it is a bit disapointing that I won't bother reading your posts because they are so blindingly biased, even if Telstra did something truly horrendous or idiotic, you would still trumpet them. It is actually much harder to be objective and not align yourself to a simple good vs bad, black or white evaluation of the scenario. (This is not to say there are not people out there who are exactly the opposite of you, which is equally disappointing) Further, I find it puzzling that you would spend time and effort hawking a company on a technology website, as if some readers have a cool couple of grand lying around thinking, "if I see a positive post here about Telstra, I might plunge in!" Maybe you should call your beloved Sol and tell him to start paying you a salary due to all the good work you're doing for the company. Seriously though, I have no problem with you being proud of an investment you have made, and telling people that you love the organisation, but you must surely realise, that just like Optus, Vodafone and all the other service providers, Telstra are not doing this because they are lovely people. They are a business. As such, businesses make decisions that are often not in the interests of the customers they serve, and sometimes the communities they exist in. A truly great business balances all these things, confidently aware that sometimes (and I stress sometimes) the bottom dollar isn't everything (and I stress everything) in life. However, I suspect this complexity will pass you by. Enjoy whoring yourself for a company that at the end of the day, didn't even listen to the 60 odd % of shareholders that didn't agree with the remuneration package for senior execs. They're in it for you though! (oh and if posting your details somehow means you're more valid than an anonymous post, I have done this.) It means bugger all to me though.

    6. Sydney's Bias Dave -- 01/07/08

      http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au/shareholder-stories/sydney-lawrence-from-manly-qld

      This explains it all. :)

    7. GOLD! Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      Ha ha GOLD!!

      The poor bugger has become Telstra's publicity machine and is trying to make those (myself included!) who lost $$ when the Telstra shares took a massive plunge from their once high feel a little better.

      I'm still a shareholder but I avoid and hate Telstra like the plague.

    8. I seek truth. Sydney Lawrence -- 01/07/08

      By the way is it a fact that the Telstra network is the only system that supports the iPhone?

    9. Supports iphone Simon -- 01/07/08

      Well no, my current iphone works just dandy with Optus. No plans to go 3G yet but would likely stick with Optus or move to Voda.

    10. Telstra wins again. Sydney Lawrence -- 01/07/08

      Did a bit more research and am told that Telstra is the only system that supports the new iPhone and everyone else will only be able to use slower that dial-up GPRS.

    11. Misinformed Drivel Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      Sorry Sydney, but your research must have come from the back of a cereal box (or NWAT...same thing).

      For the moment some regional areas will be required to use GPRS for Optus/Vodaphone iPhone data, but that is far from dial-up speeds. GPRS is capable of a maximum 128kb/s, which is sufficient for general use.

      Metro and major regional centre users will have no problem using the 2100Mhz HSDPA network offered by Optus or Vodaphone. The iPhone supports UMTS/HSDPA 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz.

    12. Misinformed Misinformed Drivel Drivel police -- 01/07/08

      Optus and Vodaphone offer 2100Mhz to just under 65% of the population (under 100,000 square km), they then roam onto 900Mhz (which will not work for the iPhone) across the other 600,000 sq km giving a total of about 700,000 sq km. Even after they increase their coverage to about 1,400,000 sq km in 2010 that will still be across the 900Mhz spectrum. In other words unless there is an iPhone 3 that has quad band those two companies will only ever offer 100,000 sq km of data (and voice) coverage.

      With Telstra's Next G 2100Mhz and 850Mhz coverage it is over 2,000,000 sq km TODAY meaning 2,000,000 sq km of voice and data coverage next Friday afternoon.

      Of course Telstra has indicated that it doesn't have the blue tick so don't expect it to work in very remote areas. Apple hasn't released an external aerial for the device but I think if a user can get 18 times the coverage using Telstra compared to Optus / Vodaphone it's not that bad.

      As to idiots that quote $2 / MB data plans then you deserve to pay that much. Any person who wants to use data on a wireless device should subscribe to a GB based plan. This applies to each of the carriers and not just Telstra.

    13. Sydney Lawrence Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      I don't believe this for a second, even if it is, you didn't even list your source. LIES! LIES! LIES!

    14. Here are some sources Jon -- 01/07/08

      iPhone operational frequencies:
      http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_3g-2424.php

      As you can see the iPhone only supports 850MHz (Testras NextG), 1900MHz (No one in Aus) / 2100MHz (Optus, Voda & '3' in metro areas only) for 3G

      Optus Plans for nation wide 3G
      http://www.optus.com.au/portal/site/aboutoptus/menuitem.813c6f701cee5a14f0419f108c8ac7a0/?vgnextoid=b31a88baa20c9110VgnVCMServer29867c0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b54ce67d77677110VgnVCM10000029867c0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

      Optus plans to roll out a nation wide 3G network to 98% of Australians, mostly using the 900MHz frequency (Not suported by the current iPhone)

      I want an iPhone 3G and I want to use 3G that means were i live i will need to get an iPhone from Telstra as Optus' Network will only provide me with slow GPRS (they havn't even invested in EDGE, how much do u think they realy care?)

    15. ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      List my sources Sydney? Where are yours?

      A quick Google search will give you the operating frequencies for Optus and Vodaphone's 3G and GSM networks. A quick trip to the Apple website will give you the iPhones operating specifications.

      It's hardly rocket science.

      The only lies around here are the ones you choose to insert in order to bump up your personal profits at the expense of Australian consumers.

    16. LMAO !!!! Aaron -- 01/07/08

      A quick Google search will reveal that people that post items on web sites defending comments made without any actual substantiation to the alleged facts or whom do not provide any indication of their identity are losers and should not waste their time pretending to know anything about anything .

      See how easy it is to write something claiming you know the facts without any avenue for recourse M. Anonymous.

      Provide actual links to substantiate your claims about coverage, bandwidth capabilities and frequencies ... or are you simply making up stuff to enhance your deluded perception of your knowledge and self worth.

      Regardless of what Sydney states I respect the fact he stands up for himself and is counted by not hiding behind a little button that states "Do not display details".

    17. Another mindless drone Anonymous -- 01/07/08

      And yet you attack someone for the very thing Sydney Lawrence does not do? (provide hard facts) The word "hypocrite" can also be researched on Google. ;-)

    18. Facts and sources. Sydney Lawrence -- 02/07/08

      Simple. I got my information from,

      APC/News/Telstra to bring IPhone to Australia on July 11/what you need to know/top 10 things to hate about the iPhone.

      And I quote "Slow mobile data. The only Australian phone network that supports it is Telstra-everyone else will only be able to use slower-than-dialup GPRS".

      While you are at the APC Site the article which states that iPhone 2C repairs wont be available to Australian residents is also interesting.

    19. Not correct Anonymous -- 02/07/08

      The coverage might be far greater on NextG, but the fact remains that 2100Mhz is supported by both Optus and Vodaphone in metro and major regional centres (see here for example http://www.technation.com.au/2008/06/13/disappointment-imminent-for-aussie-3g-iphone-users/). The statement of Sydneys: ("And I quote "Slow mobile data. The only Australian phone network that supports it is Telstra-everyone else will only be able to use slower-than-dialup GPRS".) is just a downright lie.

    20. 2100Mhz is 56% today Aaron -- 02/07/08

      80% in 6 months

      I feel sorry for any Optus customer that wants to go for a weekend drive using the iPhone and finds they have no reception 30 minutes into the trip.

      I don't know about you but I would rather shop a Coles and know I can get what I need at one place then go to Aldi to save a few dollars on selected items and be pissed off I didn't get everything I wanted.

    21. Coverage means nothing if you can't afford to use it Anonymous -- 03/07/08

      There's not much point in having the phone if you can't use it for its intended purposes because of the exorbitant rates Telstra charge.

      I'm sure most consumers will be happy to use GSM on the very odd Sunday drive where 2100Mhz coverage may not exist, provided they're getting better value for most of the time.

      I'm currently paying 75% less for data than I would if I was with Telstra, so the saving is significantly more than just a few dollars!

    22. Apples v's Oranges Aaron -- 03/07/08

      Everyone has their own opinion, reality is that's what they are ... an opinion.

      Your opinion is one thing, mine is another and the truth is somewhere in between ... To try and pretend it is anything else means you have no idea about reality.

      Look forward to another anonymous incomprehensible reply soon.

    23. Carry 2 phones? Anonymous -- 04/07/08

      You are happy to carry two phones because you are a tight **** who only cares about public image instead of real performance. Lucky I am not your manager (probably at Optus) because with that attitude you would not last too long.

  6. Await reply. Sydney Lawrence -- 04/07/08

    Peter Pagan appreciate your advices and will consider them where applicable.

    You do seem to be a reasonable person and while not accepting all your hurtful remarks, fully endorse you democratic right to express them. For some time I have endeavoured to have two questions answered regarding Telstra without reply and with your obvious knowledge and being a fair and balanced person I humbly request your responses to my questions.

    1. Considering the fact that Telstra opponents have called for open competition for years, do you agree now that the present call by them, that should they win the NBN tender, that competition be banned allowing them to be, in fact, a monopoly is fair?

    2. Considering that Telstra is regulated by Government (for security reasons) to be no more than 35% foreign owned, do you agree that a company 100% foreign owned (Optus)should be considered for ownership of Australia's vital communication system?

  7. Outright? Anonymous -- 07/07/08

    I'm already a loyal Telstra customer. Does anyone know whether I will be able to buy the iPhone 3G without a contract? My current plan is great and i don't want to have to change it.

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