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3 Posts tagged with the telstra tag
Nathan Krake

Read the original article in The Age

DAN OAKES
January 15, 2010

 

TELSTRA has reacted to the consumer stampede to mobile broadband by cutting the prices of its wireless internet packages.

 

In a week in which the Australian Communications and Media Authority revealed a 162 per cent rise in the number of wireless subscribers over the past year, Telstra cut the price of packages by up to a third. It also doubled the data cap for its entry-level plan to 400 megabytes a month.

 

''[We] will cater for the increase in wireless broadband use by doubling the monthly data allowance on the entry-level plan to 400MB for no additional cost, catering for users who like to surf, download music and email moderately. The new allowance lets customers download up to 40 MP3 music files,'' Telstra said.

 

The company also cut the price of its 1GB plan from $59.95 a month to $39.95, and introduced a $49.95 a month 3GB plan. It has also cut the price of its existing 5GB, $89.95 a month plan to $79.95 and tacked on an extra 1GB. Prices are even lower if customers bundle the plans with other services such as landlines.

 

The price cuts are an acknowledgment of the explosive growth in the use of devices such as the BlackBerry and iPhone.

Goldman Sachs JBWere analyst Christian Guerra described the changes in a note to investors yesterday as ''some of the most significant pricing changes from Telstra for some time''.

 

''This is yet another sign that Telstra is: (1) back in the market competing with its IT issues resolved; and (2) embracing this shift to wireless,'' he said, referring to the well-documented problems with Telstra's huge information technology overhaul.

He said although Telstra's prices were still higher than its competitors, it could justify charging a premium because of its network coverage, speeds and capacity.

0 Comments Permalink Tags: wireless, broadband, telstra, 3g, cost, price
Nathan Krake
CADE LUCAS The Age October 20, 2009 - 9:02AM

Victorian drivers will be able to use smartphones as in-car navigation tools after VicRoads backed down on a proposed blanket ban on mobile GPS devices.

The revised Victorian mobile phone rules, which come into force on November 9, were announced by VicRoads in newspaper advertisements over the weekend.

The previously announced rule, which drew international media attention, banned drivers from using mobile GPS applications as navigation systems.

 

NOKIA NAVIGATOR 6210

NOKIA NAVIGATOR 6210

The use of mobile-phone GPS systems is becoming more widespread, and the ban was seen as a threat to the growing market in smartphone applications and services.

The changes will now allow drivers to use their mobile as a GPS device as long as it sits in a cradle or is remotely operated.

Under the new laws, drivers will be prohibited from holding their phones or resting them on their lap, even if they are turned off.

Drivers can still make and receive phone calls or listen to music if the phone is sitting in a specially designed cradle.

Any other use of the phone, such watching videos, text messaging or playing games while driving, is banned.

A VicRoads spokeswoman said the rule had been "clarified" after it previously prohibited all mobile phone functions except phone calls - even if the device was in a cradle.

"The change now states that in addition to to being able to make or receive a call when the driver is using a phone in a cradle or remotely, the driver is also able to use the music/audio (without video) functions," she said in a statement.

"Using a phone as a GPS is also permitted, but only if the phone is secured in a commercially designed cradle.

"All other functions of the phone outside of GPS and music/audio (without video) remain prohibited."

The new rules will affect iPhones that use apps such as those made by TomTom, Navigon and Sygic; Nokia phones using its Ovi Maps; Telstra phones using its Whereis Navigator GPS service and any other service or software that enables a mobile phone to be used as an in-car navigation device.

Drivers caught breaking the new laws will be fined $234 and lose three demerit points.

VicRoads says research has shown that a driver is four times more likely to crash while using a mobile phone.

In Victoria, the act of driving while using a mobile ranks among the state's top three driving offences.

0 Comments Permalink Tags: telstra, iphone, nokia, mobile, gps, navigator, vicroads, tomtom, navigon, sygic, ovi_maps, whereis
Nathan Krake

By Ben Grubb Click here to view the full article on CRN
Oct 14, 2009 7:58 AM

Telstra today appeared before a Senate inquiry to plead with government senators to stop the structural separation of the company by urging for a delay in the debate whilst it finishes "constructive discussions" with the government.

 

In an opening statement to a senate inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009, Telstra reinforced its position on the proposed separation.

 

"If the government decides to proceed with the Bill, we believe that it is only sensible that the Senate defer debate until after the conclusion of the constructive discussions between Telstra and the government over the NBN and the completion of the government's NBN implementation study," said Telstra group managing director of NBN engagement Geoff Booth.

 

"We would also urge that significant amendments are made to the Bill," Booth said.

 

He said Telstra believed the way in which it could reach a mutually acceptable outcome was via commercial negotiations and not via legislation.

"We cannot agree to proposals that fail to give fair value to our shareholders," said Booth.

 

Optus general manager of interconnect and economics Andrew Sheridan told iTnews that Telstra's arguments were "not really fit for purpose".

"Telstra is back on maneuvers. We're now starting to see them play their old games again," he said. "They've had plenty of time to negotiate with government."

0 Comments Permalink Tags: telstra, split, government, nbn, senate

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