While there seems to be shortages in the U.K and U.S. anecdotal evidence supports existing handset availability in Australia, with a slow but constant flow of back orders coming in.
Possible troubles in Asia
The Sydney Morning Herald, 7th July 2008, reports that theiPhone could face tough reception in Asia:
- If the phones exclusivity wanes expect to see the desire for the handset also wane.
- Pricing and lack of features will also play against the iPhone, missing features such as MMS or the ability to watch television.
- Keyboard is a barrier to text messaging, which is a turn off in the Philippines where it is the primary means of communication.
Pathetic mobile plans have watchdogs off the leash
With the release of the iPhone the less than generous plans the Australian telcos have come out with,The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has issued a warning to consumers to consider their data usage and carriers charges on excess data before signing up to a plan. The ACCC has also written to the telcos informing them about the concerns of consumers being misled about mobile data charges.All three of the telcos currently offering the iPhone in Australia have been criticized for offering poor mobile data plans - being too expensive and providing low data limits. No provider offers unlimited data, in fact Telstras limit is 3 GB, optus 2GB and a piddly 1 GB for vodafone.
An Optus marketing director said they believed that 2GB was enough for most people.
From the Sydney Morning Herald, July 21st 2008, Watchdog sniffs at mobile excess usage fees.
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