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Telstra on track to roll out HSPA+ upgrade by end of year
Making good on a promise delivered at MWC earlier this year, Telstra has announced that its customers will be "the first in the world" to experience 21Mbps of blazing download speed when it launches the first phase of its HSPA Evolution network by the end of 2008. We don't have any particularly good reason to believe it'll be the iPhone 3G that's experiencing those ridiculous data rates, but by the same token, Telstra has yet to announce exactly what hardware it'll be offering at retail to go along with the service. If we had to guess, the first round will see a data card or two.
Palm Treo Pro gets props from Telstra for extreme signal strength
For our money, there's really nothing worse than dropping a few hundred bucks on a shiny new 3G toy, taking it home to the Outback, and realizing that we're getting more wallaby meat than we are reception. Happily, Telstra has a pretty unique program in the carrier world -- dubbed "Blue Tick" -- that awards certain devices in its lineup for their killer signal strength, which theoretically makes them more appropriate choices for use in rural and fringe areas where lesser phones might struggle. Interestingly, the Treo Pro is now the first smartphone in Telstra's Blue Tick range -- which they're offering for as little as zilch on a two year contract, by the by -- making it a solid choice for anyone around the world who's looking for a modern WinMo set with enough signal-pulling power to make a Motorola V365 green with envy. Only question is, can we still completely encase it in gold and hold a call?
BigPond launches customer service center in Second Life
Telstra BigPond (a major Australian Internet Service Provider, with an approximate 50% market-share) already has among the most successful corporate presences in the virtual environment of Second Life. Right now, BigPond is in the process of launching a new initiative: A dedicated kiosk where BigPond customers can get support from live staff, both in text and through Second Life's integrated voice system. The kiosk will be staffed by BigPond customer-service representatives from 11AM to 10PM Monday through Friday, Australian Eastern Standard time. "Our launch of a dedicated virtual customer service team is an indication of the popularity of Second Life and provides us with another innovative way to continue to give our members award-winning customer service," said BigPond Group Managing Director, Justin Milne -- admittedly that's spinning so fast that a couple magnets and some copper wire would just about allow you to replace the Snowy River Hydro-Electric scheme. Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.
Telstra gives data users more megabytes for same dollars
Oh sure, Telstra's Next G HSDPA network is pretty swank, but what's the use in having a potent high-speed infrastructure if it's too expensive for anyone to use? Thankfully, said carrier is finally loosening up a bit on its data pricing by giving Aussies more megabytes for the same price that they're currently paying. Starting now, $10 mobile data packages include 150MB per month (up from 20MB), while the $29 pack includes 300MB per month (up from 80MB). Additionally, excess data rates have been "reduced" on both packs, though dollars and cents weren't mentioned on that. Best of all, customers already subscribed to one of the aforesaid plans won't have to do a thing in order to see their capacities bumped.
Telstra getting BlackBerry Bold in late September
Hey Australians, how are your thumbs feeling? You have just a precious few weeks here to get 'em in shape, because Telstra has announced that it'll be bringing RIM's latest slice of mobile glory, the Bold, to its network in late September. In the meantime, CEO of Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service was hooked up this week all John Mayer-style and presented with a Bold well ahead of its official launch date, so RIM and Telstra must be feeling pretty good about the latest firmware if they're going to actually unleash it on a real-world exec (assuming he's actually going to be clipping it to his belt day in and day out). Late September's just a little late for the global summer release RIM had originally envisioned, but there's a silver lining: Telstra says the Bold will go for a whopping goose-egg -- zero dollars, that is -- to its business customers when it goes on sale.
Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement
Don't act like you didn't know that Pope Benedict XVI was down with modern technology. As part of World Youth Day, the man himself will begin sending out texts of encouragement to pilgrims who have signed up through Telstra to receive them. A total of four gigantic "prayer walls" have been erected at the Sydney Opera House, the Domain, Darling Harbour and Randwick Racecourse in Australia, where folks will actually be able to send their own messages for all to presumably see. The first message sent out? "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI." Hllujh, amn brtha.[Thanks, zedster]
Telstra deploys Mentors to restore order to your phone, life
Recognizing that the power and complexity of its handsets have long since exceeded the average user's patience to master them, Australian carrier Telstra has rounded up a team of "Telstra Mentors," dedicated experts who will be making house calls to help folks learn the ins and outs of mobile browsing, video calling, and other advanced features. Although the service is primarily aimed at businessfolk who simply don't have the time to devote to a novel-esque user's manual, Telstra says that it'll initially be available to those in and around Sydney who "use sophisticated devices for their personal, work or business needs" with the intention of eventually expanding it to other cities. Surprisingly, a visit from your friendly local Mentor will be free -- and no, we don't think it's alright to call one over just because you're bored out of your mind.
Telstra shows off network capacity with live hologram beaming
If we were betting souls, we'd say seeing a hologram of Bill Gates is still far more frightening than one of Telstra's CTO, but nevertheless, said exec was recently beamed from Melbourne to Adelaide via hologram in order to "speak at a major function for senior business executives." According to David Thodey, the live demonstration symbolized "what has become possible using the high data speed and capacity of [its] network" -- something the outfit is calling Next Dimension Working. The actual hologram was transmitted over the company's network using the Musion Eyeliner System, a "high-definition holographic video projection system that allows three-dimensional moving images to appear within a live stage setting." Telecommuting just took on a whole new meaning.[Via News, thanks Brad]Update: Video added after the jump!
3G iPhone to support 42Mbps Evolved HSPA data?
Get this. Australian site ChannelNews claims that a "senior executive of Telstra" is the latest 3G iPhone bean spiller. They quote the exec as saying the following:"We know what is coming we have seen the new device and it will be available on our network as soon as it is launched in the USA. By Christmas this phone will be capable of 42Mbps which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world." Interesting. We know that Telstra's Next G HSDPA network has been capable of 14.4Mbps since 2007. At GSMA Mobile World Congress, they even committed to 21Mbps before the end of the year and 42Mbps using HSPA+ (aka, Evolved HSPA, HSPA Evolution) technology in 2009... not Christmas of 2008. Hard to say if this is just industry blow-harding or actual insider info. June 9th: T-minus 17 days and counting.[Thanks, Paul S.]Read -- Telstra 42Mbps HSPA+ in 2009Read -- Telstra 3G iPhone rumor
Palm Centro goes prepaid in Australia
Smartphones are a disappointingly rare occurrence in prepaid stables in some corners of the world, but at least Telstra's doing its part. The Australian carrier has launched Palm's Centro obligation-free for $299 AUD (about $286), giving Aussies a solid option for taking a trip down Garnet lane without shelling out any more monthly cash than they need to. Interestingly, the Telstra model sports a white shell but eschews AT&T's funky green buttons for a more conservative gray set -- and honestly, now that we've had some time to get used to 'em, we sort of miss the green. Are we crazy?[Via Palm Infocenter]
Telstra kills off CDMA, completes migration to GSM
Oh, come on, Qualcomm, show a little emotion; shed a tear or something! After some two years of planning and urging legacy customers to migrate, Australia's Telstra has flipped a big, red, scary-looking switch somewhere, sending its CDMA network into darkness, never to return. The move effectively obsoletes roughly 3,500 CDMA sites around the country along with what the carrier bills as "redundant equipment" -- a nice little cost savings, no doubt, not to mention the freeing of significant chunks of spectrum for more advanced services. As you might have guessed, Telstra is jumping through these hoops to get customers onto its Next G-branded UMTS network, mirroring a widespread trend away from CDMA-based technologies and toward the GSM roadmap. Globally, it seems like CDMA2000 has years of life left -- but without a shred of major carrier support for the 4G path, its glory days may be numbered.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
iPhone coming to Telstra, possibly in firmware 2.0 form
Telstra boss Sol Trujillo's total non-denial late last year that the iPhone would eventually be hitting his network left little doubt in our minds that Aussies' iPhone-less days were numbered, but in case we needed any more evidence to close the case, we think we have it here. Turns out that Telstra has put out feelers to hire a business analyst for an "iPhone search application" on a 2 to 3 month contract, and since we figure there aren't going to be a whole heck of a lot of non-Telstra users (or non-Australians, for that matter) that give two flips about such an app, it can only mean that the carrier will be bringing some iPhone love to its domestic airwaves in the not-too-distant future. The only real question here is whether the "application" in question is a web app or a native one -- you know, the kind that the SDK and firmware 2.0 would be required to support. Guess we'll know soon enough.[Via 9 to 5 Mac, thanks Chris]
Telstra gives i-mate's 8502 and 9502 some love
Not only has Telstra secured exclusive rights to i-mate's freshly minted 8502 and 9502 Windows Mobile superphones in Australia -- it turns out they'll also be the very first carrier to launch 'em anywhere in the world when they hit shelves early next month. The carrier has historically been an excellent customer of i-mate's, bringing a grand total of ten devices to its airwaves so far in a five-year deal. Lucky Aussies will see the 8502 landing for $999 AUD (about $898) while the Sidekick 9502 drops for a whopping $1099 AUD (about $988).
Qualcomm plans multiple HSPA+ trials this year
Why can't we just have and enjoy the latest, greatest pre-4G technology for a few frickin' minutes without having our collective attentions immediately redirected to the next latest, greatest thing? Qualcomm has gone and spoiled all the fun by announcing that it'll be setting up HSPA+ trials with Australia's Telstra, Italy's Telecom Italia, Hutchison 3 in the UK, and Telefonica this year to deliver downlink speeds up to 28Mbps as an evolutionary upgrade to the networks' already-deployed HSPA systems. If all goes well, Qualcomm expects that the technology could be commercialized as early as 2009, potentially putting it head-to-head with the very first volleys in the race to true 4G via LTE. 28Mbps, 173Mbps... we think we know which one we'd rather have in our backyard.[Via MobileBurn]
iPhone coming to Australia on Telstra?
With France, Germany, and the UK already locked down and the Rogers deal in Canada starting to feel inevitable, iPhone carrier rumors are starting to come in from farther and farther afield -- the latest based on comments from Sol Trujillo, CEO of Australia's Telstra. Although Telstra officials had previously suggested that Apple "stick to their knitting" (really!), Trujillo was a little more conciliatory this time around, saying that Telstra and Apple had engaged in talks about the device and that Telstra was "interested and exploring that option." Trujillo didn't address any details, of course, but he did drop this juicy tidbit for all you iPhone hatas in the crowd: "Almost every supplier has big plans in the next six to 12 months with their version of an iPhone in response." Let the countdown begin![Thanks, Ashish]
Telstra activates 7.2Mbps HSDPA, users rejoice
We've been hearing that Telstra had the means to deliver some pretty impressive numbers via its Next G HSDPA network, and sure enough, the carrier seems to have finally activated it. According to its website and an independent report, users can now see download speeds ranging from 3Mbps to upwards of 6Mbps, while clocking upload rates between 300Kbps and 1.3Mbps. Telstra claims that users can see peak speeds of 7.2Mbps / 1.9Mbps, but of course, that's under "ideal conditions." So, if you're a Telstra user looking to get in on the high-speed fun, head on out and pick up a 7.2Mbps-class data card, and for those who already own a firmware upgradeable 3.6Mbps-class card, you should be receiving instructions to update shortly.[Via ITWire, thanks Simon]
Telstra iPhone SIM hack video
Although the voiceover on this YouTube video was almost too soothing to listen to, the demo being explained definitely got our excitable attention. We're not sure about this hack's details, but the user demonstrating his iPhone's non-AT&T outgoing call usage here gets two thumbs up from us. Apparently, his iPhone was modified to allow non-AT&T SIMs to make outgoing calls on the Telstra network, although no incoming calls were demo'ed in the video. From watching it, wethinks registration on any GSM network would probably be possible. And catch that authentic GSM radio noise interference that's clearly audible.[Thanks, Greg]
O2, Telstra pull plug on i-mode
Yeah, NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile data service does alright in Japan -- in fact, we curse the heavens every day that we aren't there to enjoy it -- but it has been met with considerably less success in the twelve other countries where it's offered in licensed form. O2 and Telstra are both phasing out their i-mode offerings -- O2 in 2009, Telstra in December -- with O2 saying that despite extremely high satisfaction among its i-mode users, a general lack of hardware available to support the service (isn't it just a deck of content on a 3G phone?) prevents it from moving forward. Of course, this doesn't spell the end of either carrier's mobile content or 3G efforts -- far from it, in fact -- with Telstra encouraging users to migrate to Next G.
Telstra's getting huge data speeds -- at record distances
Are you ready for one of those pesky but necessary cell sites to reach beyond the few miles that many of them are provisioned for now? Get rid of those nasty watt-limits and stretch that single cell out to 100 kilometers. Well, not really -- but if you're into cell coverage, you might have tasty chops for this. Telstra and Ericsson (one of the largest mobile infrastructure companies) say that a new record of cellular data coverage and speeds has been established with Telstra's Next G HSDPA network -- to the tune of 200 kilometers in diameter and data speeds of 14.4 mbps on the downside. How did they do this? Well, the pair installed advanced Ericsson equipment on several mountaintops in Australia (how quaint) to get that range. Ok, we're ready to move to a mountain range now, just to get that awesomely stretched cellular coverage. How about speeds, you may ask? Telstra stated that peak uplink speeds of 1.9 mbps and downlink speeds of 14.4 mbps were achieved. Not too shabby.[Thanks, Lucas H.]
CE-Oh no he didn't! Part XXVII - Telstra tells Apple to "stick to your knitting"
We're not really sure what Telstra has to gain by dissing the iPhone, given the fact that it happens to be the only carrier in Australia to support EDGE, making them a natural fit for carrying the device, but diss it they did, with operations chief Greg Winn letting Apple know just how out-of-place he thinks the company is in the phone world: "There's an old saying - stick to your knitting - and Apple is not a mobile phone manufacturer, that's not their knitting." We wonder if anyone tried that line the last time Apple pulled something like this, with that little "iPod" thing of theirs a few years back. He continued, "You can pretty much be assured that Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and ZTE and others will be coming out with devices that have similar functionality." Oddly enough, other than that rather derogatory comment at the outset, Winn had some pretty legitimate criticisms of the phone. "I think people overreacted to it - there was not a lot of tremendously new stuff if you think about it," he said. The touchscreen doesn't really excite the guy, since it was "only a matter of time before it went to the device." This is evidenced by the flood of touchscreen phones we've been seeing this month and last. He also raises an eyebrow at the non-replaceable battery, and that while he's "absolutely sure that device will be successful initially," he's in doubt of "how much money are they willing to devote to all of the life cycle management and upgrades." He also seems put-off by the Cingular exclusivity: "They did an exclusive with Cingular and they talked about a global rollout - well, Cingular is not a global company." Maybe Winn just didn't get the memo that there's a world rollout on the way for next year, and he was on the list. "Was" being the key word here. [Thanks, John K]
