Mactalk.com.au is reporting some startling information on the iPhone in Australia. Their Source? Apple resellers who were apparantly told this ahead of schedule (perhaps slightly unlikely). But anyway here's their take:
Last week of June release- More than 1 carrier
- No contract lock in
- Current resellers will be able to sell iPhones
The June release isn't a shocker. However, they are saying that it will be sold like iPods - from resellers and at the new Apple Stores - with out carrier lock-in. Since Telstra is the only carrier with EDGE, this either means that they don't need to lock the iPhone in - because it will only run on Telstra - or that it will be of the 3G variety so it works on all of the networks.
Was this what Tim Cook meant by saying "Apple isn't married to the current carrier lock in model"?
MacTalk also expects the release to coincide with the opening of the Sydney and Melbourne Apple Stores.
This adds to the information about a iPhone programmer job description from Telsta.
Comments
I think that avoiding
I think that avoiding Telstra, or the concept of carrier lock-in is critical to the success of the iPhone in Australia, as Telstra is without doubt the most expensive carrier in Aus, and the data costs for mobile data in Australia are simply ridiculous on Telstra, charging by the MB.
It is illegal by the
It is illegal by the telecomms laws in Australia to continually lock out a handset to a carrier. The telco is oblidged to unlock it (if it is locked) at a customer's request usually by paying a fee.
Not that unlikely
"Their Source? Apple resellers who were apparantly told this ahead of schedule (perhaps slightly unlikely)."
It's not that unlikely really, if it is indeed not locked to a carrier then the only way they can really sell it at all on the ground (as opposed to online) is through the resellers, which have a large presence in Australia. Giving your only way of selling the Phone a heads up is hardly surprising. The MacTalk guys also have pretty strong ties to the resellers as well, some of them working at them (or used too).
The unlikely part is that
The unlikely part is that Apple would tell some retailers way before the product release. Apple is very good about controlling their messages to their retail partners. This kind of "product leak" almost never happens when Apple is involved.
I say the odds that this is true is VERY small.
source information
Apple is as tight lipped with their resellers as they are the general public in australia... other than reassurance that certain key apple resellers will be receiving the iphone, we hae seen no information of this type.
ask apple, they say "what iphone?"
we know for sure that we will see 3G, not edge. other than this we heard smh.com.au reporting that sing tel (head company of optus) was keen on signing south east asia, but as for carriers and timeframe? still only apple knows this one....
my guess is the information being fed to them is based on web rumours, not direct info.
phone plans
aside from this, australia is used to heavily subsidised handsets, being a very value-conscious population...
australia is used to heavily
australia is used to heavily subsidised handsets, being a very value-conscious population
You DO know that you're the one paying for the subsidization, right?
Telco manipulation
With all the recent stories about the alleged 3g handset being released in Australia, along with two or so hints that Telstra it could all well possibly be true. Because even if you are only familiar with the macrumour/9to5mac community news ring you must be familiar with the fact that they broke the iPod touch story, the Macbook Air story and that's only in the last couple of months. For sure the 3g handset will be released in June, but in Australia? Nonetheless:
It's true that handsets are subsidised within Australia, but that is offsetted not by charging the customer extra in some dodgy hidden clause, but by signing the customer into a contract for a certain period of time in which the company makes it's money back by having the customer use their network for the previously mentioned period.
However, particular handsets have in the past only been available to certain networks (as was the case with 3 Mobile and their 3g line, as well as Telstra and the fledgling HipTop or Sidekick for Americans) so it isn't a stretch to say that the iPhone could be linked to one network.
So finally, I daresay the release of the iPhone in Australia was based upon negotiations between Apple and the three main Telcos (Telstra, Optus & Vodafone) but just as when the 3g network was initiated in Australia, we did see all three of those banding together to fund a 3g network to compete with their newest competitor so it still remains in the air!
If it's 3G????
Just a thought from one who cares...
I personally left 3 (Hutchison Telecom-Orange) back in September when I purchased my iPhone, and shifted to Vodafone. I regret the decision to leave 3 but it was worth the $300+ to cancel the plan to use my iPhone. I would do it again in a flash for this amazing device. Having left 3 I would go back too and what is to say 3 wont be putting their hand up for a piece of the pie considering they are they "cool" and very similar style branding company.
I say Telstra may win just due to their knowledge that by not co-operating with Apple they loose an amazingly large market even more, and they would be prepared to sacrifice this time I think, BUT if it does go 3G I hope 3 get it!
They were the first carrier to come in with 3G technology, they also managed to bring in Cap plans. They made my $250+ per month bill $49 and I have slowly grown with time my usage to $79.00. I think they are the revolutionary Telco and deserve the iPhone. As their coverage may not be the best they do roam on Telstra's network anyway and Vodafone really is crap.
Optus? Ha, They were my first phone provider but they burnt me bad, and they have lost out big with Vodafone and 3.
All in all I think it is a common agreement that the iPhone will hit our shores when they open the Flagship store in Sydney. Not too far away then.
Post new comment