While the summer 2008 emergence of a second-generation iPhone running on 3G network technology might well be the year’s worst-kept secret, it remains to be seen just how much of a 3G performance boost is handed to Apple’s iconic handset when compared to its existing reliance on the sub-standard 2.5G EDGE network.
Telstra reveals that 3G iPhone will be faster than most broadband networks by Christmas 2008. Image: Apple/Telstra.
If a related report emanating from Australia is to be believed, then the highly anticipated arrival of the 3G iPhone won’t just result in data delivery speed dwarfing that of its EDGE-based counterpart but also potentially out performing the majority of existing broadband connections.
Specifically, an (unnamed) senior executive at Australian carrier Telstra has told the ChannelNews website that the new iPhone “will be capable of 42Mbs” by Christmas 2008, “which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world.”
The iPhone’s long-awaited Australian arrival was announced earlier this month, with Melbourne-based Telstra Corp. named as one of three official carriers for the region, the others being Vodafone and SingTel/Optus. Apple’s decision to forego carrier exclusivity in Australia has been interpreted as a move to drastically widen the smartphone’s consumer appeal.
“We believe that this will be a major driver for a lot of people to invest in a new smart phone,” said Telstra, which reportedly already has 3G models for testing purposes and has intimated that the new iPhone will be available in Australia on the same day as it hits the United States. “It will also create a big buzz as many vendors plan to launch new smart phones at the same time,” the company added.
The new 3G iPhone is expected to be unveiled by Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the California-based computer and gadget company’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, which will take place between June 09 and June 13.
Current industry speculation suggests official 3G iPhone availability is likely to be rolled out soon after, which is supported somewhat by the recent flurry of international announcements all revealing imminent carrier deals.
Countries preparing to receive the (new?) iPhone over the coming weeks and months include Australia, Canada, Italy, India and Singapore.
Constable OdoMay 27th, 2008 - 05:02:59
Will all that speed be of much use to iPhone users. Won't the bottleneck be the iPhone processor trying to load browser pages. I guess it could be useful for downloading data files for music and movies, but not much else. Well, whatever. If that's what user's want, more power to 'em if they can afford to pay for it.
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