With 2008 upon us, the time has come to review our
predictions for 2007, and make some new predictions for
2008.
2007 prediction: Telstra will be slow to
introduce value-for-money 3G services, meaning the capabilities
of its 'NextG' network will remain largely
untested in 2007. Telstra will nevertheless heavily promote the
new network, against fierce competition from Optus. Most
Telstra 3G subscribers will be existing Telstra customers, as
it is unlikely to woo many 3 or Vodafone
customers.
Outcome: In 2007,
Telstra's investment in, and
advertising of, its Next G network (the name given to its 3G
network) was substantial. Telstra claims to now cover 98 per
cent of the Australian population and to provide the fastest
download speeds of any operator in the country. Its network
also offered new content for mobile phone platforms, including
coverage of the federal election, Australian idol,
