In the early hours of this morning, Optus and Telstra confirmed that they will soon offer the popular Samsung Galaxy SIII on both their 4G networks across Australia.
Optus will beat Telstra and launch the Galaxy SIII with 4G capabilities on the 20th Septembers (with pre-orders available from today), also announcing it’ll make its 4G network available in Melbourne from 15th September.
Telstra says it’ll launch the device – running the latest version of Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean – in October, although pricing information isn’t yet available.
Despite launching the device later, Telstra is appealing to customers to wait for them to provide the high-speed phone boasting that it’s the only telco to offer 4G services nationally across the country.
“Our customers have been hanging out for the arrival of the GALAXY S III 4G and we’re thrilled to be able to offer it on Australia’s only national 4G-enabled network,” Andrew Volard, Director at Telstra Mobile said.
“With Telstra’s 4G coverage now available in more than 100 metropolitan and regional areas across the nation, customers will be able to enjoy a full speed experience in more places.”
Optus will offer the device on its $60 and $80 consumer and business plans over 24 months, with 1.5GB and 2GB data allowances respectively.
“Optus is launching 4G services with significant coverage across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Newcastle and this marks the beginning of Optus’ national 4G network rollout,” Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Australia said in a statement today.
“With a great line up of 4G devices now on offer, Australians now have a choice in competitive 4G products and services,” Russell said, highlighting the growing competition between the two telcos.
The news comes as a bitter blow for the last of the three major telco providers, Vodafone, who is yet to launch its own 4G network in Australia and won’t do so until next year despite rolling out 4G-capable equipment as part of its broad network revamp that is almost complete.
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