Australian iPhone confirmed as non-exclusive?
updated 09:55 am EDT, Thu May 1, 2008
Aussie iPhone confirmed?
The iPhone is indeed coming to Australia, an anonymous source is said to be confirming. CNET is citing an "industry insider," who claims that an Australian iPhone launch is expected in the last week of June, and with the regional carrier Optus. The company is expected to make the announcement in mid-May, just a few weeks before Apple's WWDC conference on June 9th, where a 3G version of the iPhone is expected to be publicly revealed. The source says he cannot confirm that Australia will get the 3G phone, but that Optus is expecting it regardless.
Important to iPhone shoppers worldwide may be further indication, beyond reports earlier this month, that the Australian iPhone will not be tied solely to a single carrier, as it has been in the US and the UK. It is not known if the device will be fully (non-regionally) unlocked however, or which other Australian carriers might announce support. Speculation has held that Telstra might be involved, but this was based on its capacity for 2.5G EDGE technology; a 3G phone for Telstra is required to use the 850MHz frequency band in addition to Australia's 2,100MHz standard.
It is rumored that when iPhones go on sale in the country's upcoming Apple Stores, they will be unlocked by default.
Correct Terminology
05/01, 10:54am reply
It's either "confirmed" or it's NOT. There's no "Confirmed..?" unless you're asking a question. Are you asking ME a question? No. You're REPORTING something to me. You are TELLING me something. "Confirmed...?" is not accurate in the least. If it's not affirmatively "Confirmed," then it's speculated, which is not "confirmed..?" "Confirmed..?" does not exist.
randombob
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
No choice but to unlock
05/01, 11:10am reply
Given the insanely high tariffs imposed by the two major telcos in Australia - Telstra & Optus - the mind can only boggle at what Optus would charge consumers if they were given sole rights to the iPhone. If Apple has any ambitions to make a dent in the Australian market, it would be suicide to tie the iPhone to either of these two Telcos and let them suck Australian consumers dry with some of the most uncompetitive data plans and tariffs in the world.
Mitcho
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Joined: Apr 2008
re: terminology
05/01, 12:02pm reply
When sources pass along information, they'll often say that they have hints that X is true, or that executives are going in a particular direction. In this case the source says his information is a definite thing, he just can't give away his identity.
Roger@MacNN
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Joined: Jan 2008
Optus 3G
05/01, 05:07pm reply
1) If we dont get the 3G version Apple would be shooting themselves in the foot .. come on !!!! If there is one thing you can say it's that 9x% of the poulation has access to 3G towers ... we are ahead of the US and many other countires in that regard , so why in gods name would Apple not give us a 3G phone STUPID2) If they are going to give us a 3G phone WHY IN GODS NAME would you give it to Optus or other carires that have c*** 3G coverage only in major CBD areas. When Telstra (I dont like them) has 3G to 9X% of peopleGive us 3G and give us unlocked , if Apple did that the Iphone would sell like hotcakes
russellb
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Joined: Sep 2001