How I see this is different. Currently with the hassles of Vodafone, Telstra has a 4-6 month gap to increase their market share as lots of Vodafone customers are leaving and they will either go to OPTUS or TELSTRA.
As some argues over here for the need of PIE phones and there WIFI, I see it as a marketing bonanza. Telstra will install PIE phones in Airports and Shopping centres and other places where they are less likely to be vandalised and offer the Wi-Fi as a bonus or prepaid. Lets compare the speed of 3G network and WIFI. With out a doubt WiFi network will be much faster than the 3G. People using the smart phones will/might (those on Telstra network) be able to use it for faster speed around where the PIE phones are. Plus from an advertisement point of view it will be an additional service provided by Telstra.
Lots of people use prepaid phones in Australia, including the travellers. It will be a big bonanza for those people and don't under estimate the backpacker community. TABLETS are another craze now a days. Those tablets which works on WIFI,also be benefited from this PIE PHONE. People might be able to buy credit for example $10 for x minutes and will be able to use it anywhere in Australia where PIE PHONES are installed or Telstra WiFi is provided. These are some of the things I can think of right now but I am sure there are plenty more.
Hay! these companies (TELSTRA) are money hungry people and they in the first place has looked into PIE PHONES because they can see a huge upside. If not they wouldn't be wasting their time. As for people mentioning about Telstra buying only 5 - 10 phones, you must be kidding. How many different types of phones have you see around (Telstra) ? How many other companies are making phones which are similar to PIE PHONES? Ask yourself that question.
NWZ Price at posting:
2.2¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
