Telcos line up to launch iPhone 3G S on June 26

Send to a friend Print
David Flynn10 June 2009, 9:06 AM

Vodafone and Optus are gearing up for Apple’s souped-up iPhone – but what will the deal be with upgrading to the new model?


Two of the iPhone’s three local carriers are already taking pre-registrations to be first in line for the new iPhone 3G S when it lands in two weeks’ time.

Optus and Vodafone have both issued identikit (and no doubt Apple-approved) press statements to advise that each will launch “the iPhone 3G S, the fastest most powerful iPhone yet, in Australia on 26th June, 2009”. Telstra will also carry the iPhone 3G S but the telco has yet to say ‘Boo’ about it.

Optus customers can put their name on the list at www.optus.com.au/iphoneinfo, and Vodafone fans at www.vodafone.com.au/iphone.

Part of the iPhone 3G S’ impact has already been felt in a drop in price for each carriers’ cheapest ‘free iPhone’ plans to $59 per month for an 8GB model. Optus has the better of the two with 500MB of data compared to just 200MB under Vodafone; both deals include $350 of talk and text.

Because the iPhone 3G S slots in above the iPhone 3G as Apple’s new flagship iPhone rather than replacing the 3G model, carriers can reposition the 3G as a more affordable mid-market offering.

After the iPhone 3G S has gone on sale there could be further reductions in iPhone 3G pricing to firm up each carrier’s dual handset ‘better-best’ strategy.

Plans for the iPhone 3G S will probably be revealed next week, and no doubt there’ll be once again be iPhone fans queueing up outside the stores early on a mid-winter morning.

But the most eagerly-awaited information will be what deals each telco will offer iPhone 3G customers to upgrade to the shiny new 3G S. Almost all current iPhone customers inked a 24 month contract but are barely halfway through that period, and carriers will be eager to combine an upgrade to the 3G S with adding another 12 months to the contract, thus locking customers in until mid-2011 at the earliest.

Such upgrades will also see the iPhone spread even further through the market as iPhone 3G S owners hand down their 3G model to another member of the family or, contract permitting, on-sell it to someone else.

This is a relatively new situation for the telcos because to date there have been few phones which engendered such popularity and loyalty to make upgrading from one model to the next into what could become an annual rite.


Post your comment



Comments

 RSS feed Email alert

todd_h86 (Cornerstone member):

I really hope they allow a handset upgrade, espically since im paying $3 a month for the 3g! I love the 3G but wouldn't mind if Optus offered me an upgrade if I rejoined for an extra year!

Was the above post based on anything or just speculation? Its not like a telco to do something nice for people halfway through plans! It wouldnt surprise me if they did nothing, and expected current iPhone 3G contract users to finish of the 24 months before starting again for another 24 months but we could always hope!

10 June 2009, 10:31 AM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TV Bis (User):

When I can get it on a $29 capped plan with no charge for phone then I might take look at it. I really don't see the value in it at the moment. Compared to other offerings I see high charges all because it's an iPhone.

10 June 2009, 10:35 AM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Phred (Cornerstone member):

Quoting TV Bis:
I really don't see the value in it at the moment


Ditto... Especially with the data allowances which are pathetic

10 June 2009, 10:55 AM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

todd_h86 (Cornerstone member):

Quoting Phred:
Ditto... Especially with the data allowances which are pathetic


I thought that too, but I rarely go near my 500 MB limit, thats being a heavy user of facebook, emails, GPS, browsing over 3G, people hear 500MB and go but thats so small, I would go over that in a day, but the truth is you wouldnt spend all that much time using your iPhone to browse stuff, you would be on your PC, but when the 3rd Gen OS is released and official tethering is enabled the caps should hopefully increase (I hope)



10 June 2009, 3:20 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

McBanjo (User):

Quoting Phred:
Especially with the data allowances which are pathetic

No, don't fall for that! I was in your boat when I too hadn't used an iPhone for data. I would definitely consider myself a 'heavy' user, I regularly download from Youtube, iTunes w/ podcasts, websites, email etc. I have only ever hit 200mb a month. It think it's safe to say you'll never hit 500mb a month, it's just not feasible unless you're using it as a tether, in which case you wouldn't need your home connection.

FYI, I do pay $30 a month for voice, text and data on my iPhone w/ Virgin. But you're being absolutely ridiculous if you think anyone is just going to give away free iPhones. This is 'the' best phone on the market. It is not a debate, it is not an opinion. It is fact.

11 June 2009, 11:40 AM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

gankul (Cornerstone member):

Quoting McBanjo:
This is 'the' best phone on the market. It is not a debate, it is not an opinion. It is fact.

Well some would argue that its not a phone but a multimedia device with the phone added....

Anyway, they dont give them away because we get shafted on priec her in aus again, as always. if the price was 200 a phone then they would...

But its also because people are willing to pay for it.




12 June 2009, 9:31 AM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

rapidryda (New user):

there also going to be cheap so the contracts will drop in price again which means everyone is going to be able to afford one.

im counting down the days now!

15 June 2009, 4:26 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

rapidryda (New user):

there also going to be cheap so the contracts will drop in price again which means everyone is going to be able to afford one.

im counting down the days now!

15 June 2009, 4:26 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

rapidryda (New user):

there also going to be cheap so the contracts will drop in price again which means everyone is going to be able to afford one.

im counting down the days now!

15 June 2009, 4:27 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TLE (New user):

I went to an Optus store yesterday, firstly to check if the pricing plans had been announced yet (No), and secondly, to ascertain the cost of upgrading to the 3GS. Disappointingly, I was quoted almost $1000 to break contract, (am on a i79 plan).

Hopefully Optus will realise the futility of alienating their customers, otherwise I'm going to Telstra for the 3GS (better coverage out here in Hoppers (network can't work from the back of the house???), and the 3G can go to the missus.

Trevor

17 June 2009, 10:47 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TLE (New user):

I went to an Optus store yesterday, firstly to check if the pricing plans had been announced yet (No), and secondly, to ascertain the cost of upgrading to the 3GS. Disappointingly, I was quoted almost $1000 to break contract, (am on a i79 plan).

Hopefully Optus will realise the futility of alienating their customers, otherwise I'm going to Telstra for the 3GS (better coverage out here in Hoppers (network can't work from the back of the house???), and the 3G can go to the missus.

Trevor

17 June 2009, 10:57 PM (9 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Not signed in
anonymous user Anonymous user


Tags