Mobile telcos Telstra and VHA today confirmed they will launch Apple’s new iPhone when the device hits Australia in July, but Optus has not yet flagged its own interest in the device.
“Vodafone and 3 will launch iPhone 4, the thinnest smartphone in the world with the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, in Australia in the coming weeks,” a VHA spokesperson said. Telstra issued a similar statement, but described the timeframe as “by the end of July”.
The VHA spokesperson said more information on pricing and tariff plans would be available on the websites of its two mobile brands, Vodafone and 3, closer to the date.
Optus issued a brief statement in the name of Austin R. Bryan, its Consumer Marketing director, who said: “We look forward to providing lots of information to new and existing Optus customers on today’s announcement in the near future.”
Vodafone Australia’s official Twitter account had this morning put the iPhone 4 launch timeframe in Australia at September, but the telco later clarified that was a mistake.
Asked about the fact that not all telcos had confirmed iPhone 4 plans, Ovum analyst Nathan Burley said he “very much” doubted that Apple would go back to its initial strategy of restricting which telcos could sell the device.
When the iPhone first launched in Australia 3 two years ago (separate from Vodafone at that time) was not able to sell the handset. But it appears to have gained access to it through the Vodafone merger.
“There may be slight differences in timing as to when the operators get the devices or get large shipments of it,” Burley said, but he added that Apple’s business model had shifted to providing the iPhone through multiple partners.
When the iPhone first launched in Australia, Optus captured the lion’s share of the iPhone market, but the analyst said since late 2009 Telstra had been much more aggressive in the space, offering cashback subsidies on the handset and pushing the iPhone out to small business and enterprise customers.
“It clearly understands that it’s a very strong proposition that Apple offers,” he said. Telstra has also pushed hard into the growing market for handsets based on Google’s Android platform, with Burley particularly noting the telco’s push regarding its flagship HTC Desire handset.
However he also noted that the iPhone 4 supported the 900MHz spectrum used by Optus and Vodafone in its growing mobile networks outside metropolitan areas, which previous models have not. The pair use the 2100MHz spectrum for most of their networks, which previous iPhone models do support. The additional support has the potential to see some customers who can only access the 900Mhz users pick up iPhones.
Image credit: Apple
Does this thing support 3G 850Mhz? Could Telstra’s NextG be left out in the cold?
Got the answer:
Cellular and wireless
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
Yeah, it definitely supports 850MHz Next G.
Would love to try one at work. Inside our office building (“Faraday’s Cage”), Optus reception varies from none to a few bars, but NEVER ever, have we 3G.
Outside 3G is fine sometimes. Even standing inside by the “wooden” fire doors patiently, gets multiple bars and 3G ;-)
We have few windows and metal roofing. Seems we are doomed. Maybe 900 will sneak through the cage.
When travelling in the country its as bad or worse. (Hence my Tel$tra “boot phone” under the floor.)
I’ve heard this story many times. When Telstra brought out its spiel a few years ago that the 850MHz spectrum would allow it to penetrate further into buildings than previous mobile signals, I doubted it, writing it off as marketing spin. However, these days — when complaints about Optus’ coverage are a dime a dozen, I have much less reason to doubt Telstra’s claims.
Everyone I have talked to about Next G say it is awesome.
(of course, the pricing has only recently become reasonable)
Steve Jobs must be the smartest CEO in the world. He launches half ready products every 6 months. I bought my iphone V3 last december, but now the new one is here. The Gen 4 looks better has double camera, better resolution, etc… But what do I do with my old one. They should allow an upgrade for a minimal fee. Thats when I think , Steve the Wonder!!!
JUST BEFORE YOU UPGRADE FROM YOUR ARCHAIC GEN3 MACHINE, GO INTO AN APPLE STORE AND TELL THEM IT’S PLAYING UP (SEARCH THE WEB FOR THE MANY BONIFIDE FAULTS) AND PAY THEM THE SMALL REPLACEMENT FEE FOR ANOTHER PHONE…..
THROW THAT BRAND SPANKING NEW, OBSOLETE IDIOT PHONE IN A TUPPERWARE CONTAINER AND BURY IT IN YOUR BACKYARD……………………………..FAST FORWARD 30 YEARS, DIG IT UP, GIVE IT TO YOUR HOME ROBOT MAID (WITH OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC SUCK ME OFF) TO LIST ON EBAY/CRAIGS LIST/TRADING POST/ET AL. MAKE THE BIG BICKIES!
Or just smash it with a hammer…like anyone cares!!!
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