As I said yesterday:
Unfortunately, it appears that Australian telcos simply don't understand the nature of [the iPhone] and the way it will be used. #
And today, the media and significant parts of the Australian blogosphere seem to agree, and have said so:
- Mark Pesce suggests we should build our own network
- Craig Thomler proposes that the government should guarantee mobile broadband (alongside fixed lines)
- Stilgherrian makes the point that the telcos have indeed, missed the point
- Paul Hagon does the math (and comes away underwhelmed)
- Problogger Darren Rowse sticks the boot in
- News.com.au compares the plans and is less than impressed
- SMH notes Citi's report that says the Nokia N95 on 3 is a "viable alternative" and that "Telstra's pricing seemed to be voice centric and designed to protect the company's existing mobile content"
- Gizmodo doesn't even reach whelmed (let alone underwhelmed) on Telstra's ridiculous pricing
The dissatisfaction is reflected too, in the mood on Twitter, which is to say the least, unhappy. I think many people, including myself who would have purchased on or close to 11 July will be backing off that choice now.
Certainly, I will not be buying a 3G iPhone any time in the foreseeable future. I will be waiting for one of the telcos to have the inevitable epiphany that will bring reasonable call/SMS rates coupled with equally reasonable data.I have no expectation that data will be unlimited in Australia any time soon, but a fair price, as noted by Mark pesce in his post above, is possible and should be expected by the Australian public.
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