A number of stories have emerged in the past few days about Apple’s discussions with Australia’s Telstra for the future launch of iPhone down-under.
One of the stories suggests that 20% of the iPhones sold so far in the US have been unlocked and moved to other carriers or exported to other markets. What does this mean for AT&T;’s reported revenue sharing with Apple? The mobile migration problem is certainly going to be a consideration for negotiations with carriers in other markets.
Another one of the reports suggests that Telstra would want Apple to introduce 3G capabilities to leverage the carrier’s ‘Next G’ network launch in 2008. iPhone currently operates at EDGE speeds in the US.
Telstra’s network also operates at a different frequency, so Apple would need to make some changes to the radio in order to launch in Australia. However, HSPA chipsets may have an impact the cost and power characteristics.
Consumers in many markets are getting used to the faster mobile internet experience enabled by 3G HSPA networks and Apple’s competitors are introducing an array of devices to deliver such capabilities.
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