Telstra Confirms 'Me Too' on iPhone – June 30, 2007

Telstra just confirmed what we already knew with some prices to go with the news. The iPhone will be available on the Telstra NextG Network from July 11th and here are the confirmed costings:

“iPhone 3G will be available from Telstra on July 11 with a range of specially designed Next G™ iPhone 3G plans that meet the needs of any customer. The Next G iPhone 3G plans start at $30 per month with an upfront cost of $279 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB model. Customers will receive the 8GB iPhone 3G model at no cost with the $80 plan and either the 8GB or the 16GB model at no cost with plans starting at $100 per month. All plans include free Wi-Fi access at Telstra hotspots and require a 24-month contract. ”

Telstra has an unmatched network coverage which is now up to 99% of the population. This means regional Australia can get all the benefits of iPhone that will be enjoyed in the city locations. The press release did not mention the cost of data downloads or call costs, I am waiting for a response on this from Telstra now.

However with Telstra you get what you are prepared to pay for, and in the case of Next G, the service does not come cheap. In Telstra’s eyes, why should it? Telstra have at least come forward and put their product prices where their mouths are. When will the competing carriers do the same? When will confirmed prices arrive from Optus and Vodafone? Probably very soon I would imagine and I bet they will be lower than Telstra!

So the question is now, If you were going to buy iPhone, would you connect through Optus, Vodafone or Telstra? Or do you want to wait until all carriers have confirmed their prices?

Register your interest here – www.telstra.com/iphone