[From Russell Goy
Caloundra – Sunshine Coast – Queensland - Australia] I just read the article saying how iPhone Safari has really stirred up the mobile browser scene, and that is is a really good thing. Mobile Internet Explorer has a lot to be desired. But it seems to me that although browsers have to get better, and will be useful for specific reasons, the internet applications that the iPhone has spawned are going to be of greater significance in the long run. And we see it now with weather, financial apps that run in the background but you are still connected to the internet.
While these are terrific it’s the Networks that will choke or allow these internet apps flourish, how so? I’m in Australia so we don’t have the iPhone yet but from what I can see the GPRS EDGE based networks it uses usually have an unlimited download (probably with fairplay restrictions) plans,and with GPRS EDGE speeds you can see why. But in Oz all carriers have forms of HSDPA 3G, my carrier Telstra with their NextG Network have a have theoretical top speed of 14.4mgps and it’s being upgraded to 21mgps this year.
Despite the increase in network speeds, users will be unable to take advantage of the top speeds straight away due to the lack of compatible devices -- most phones currently offer a downlink ceiling of 7.2Mbps. But still a he jump over GPRS EDGE.
However, at the moment you still pay though the nose for each megabyte, I think I’m paying approx $30AU for 80 meg allowance anything over 80 meg you pay $1 per meg.
I daily use a weather app and a bit of email but I still really have to watch the download amount, they add up really quickly. There are times when I would like to download a moderately sized file, but don’t risk extra download charges.
With rumours of a 3G iPhone coming this year it again test the mettle of Carriers as to how they charge for downloads. Hopefully we will see a substantial drop in rates even an unlimited plan that will see internet apps really take off.