Telstra aims to knock Optus off iPhone perch

Telstra Business GMD Deena Shiff said Australian businesses can enjoy the full iPhone experience in more places on the Telstra Next G network.

“Using Australia’s biggest and fastest national 3G mobile network unlocks the full potential of the iPhone in more places and its formidable mobile internet and application functions,” Shiff said.

“With the latest iPhone 3GS now in good supply, Telstra Business will ramp up its promotion of the handset to Australia’s 1.3 million small businesses with advertising in major newspapers and direct mail campaigns.”

Shiff said Telstra Business would be working closely with Apple to specifically target the small business market, where demand for smartphones continues to grow.

“We are forecasting that the number of small businesses using smartphones will double in the next 12 to 18 months and have already seen increased interest from business in this version of the iPhone, many of whom are talking about using it for staff retention, particularly for Gen Y.

“In preparation, Apple has seeded iPhone handsets within our technical sales teams and undertaken training with sales staff in our Telstra Business Centres.”