Ext User(Alan Parkington)
18-09-2008, 07:20 AM
From
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aDoQZrhz6s.8&refer=
June 11 (Bloomberg) -- Telstra Corp., Australia's biggest phone company,
will probably benefit the most from Apple Inc.'s new iPhone in the country
even if the Australian carrier fails to sell the handset, Merrill Lynch &
Co. said.
The iPhone will fuel interest in wireless data services such as Web surfing
and music downloads, helping Telstra generate sales from its latest ``Next
G'' network, Merrill Lynch strategists Stephen Myers and David Kaynes wrote
in a note today. Peter Taylor, a Telstra spokesman, wasn't immediately
available to comment on the report.
``Despite the fact that it is yet to make an announcement on whether it will
sell the iPhone at all, we expect Telstra to be the primary beneficiary,''
the two Melbourne-based analysts said. ``The iPhone should provide a
much-needed catalyst to prompt recent Next G converts to explore the
capabilities of their new handsets.''
Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs this week unveiled the cheaper and
faster version of the iPhone, prompting analysts to renew calls for
investors to buy the stock. The Cupertino, California-based company said it
sold about 6 million phones since the handset went on sale in the U.S. in
June 2007.
In Australia, the iPhone will boost usage and revenue for all operators, the
strategists wrote, including Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.' Optus
Networks Pty, Vodafone Group Plc's Australian unit, and Hutchison
Telecommunications (Australia) Ltd.
Optus and Vodafone have said they'll sell the iPhone when released in
Australia on July 11. Optus, which is offering priority queuing to buy the
handset for a A$100 ($94) deposit, may capture much of the initial demand,
they said.
Faster Phone
Apple unveiled a faster iPhone that will sell for $199, about half as much
as the prior model, and will begin selling the product in 22 countries
through 17 mobile-phone operators next month, up from six countries now.
Melbourne-based Telstra has the largest base of so-called third-generation
wireless customers, or those able to access mobile services at higher speeds
than on traditional phone networks in Australia, the Merrill strategists
said.
``Telstra is best positioned to take advantage of the general increase in
data usage that should flow from the publicity that the iPhone generates,''
Myers and Kaynes wrote in the report.
Merrill Lynch has a share price target of A$5.15 for Telstra, 12 percent
higher than today's A$4.59.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aDoQZrhz6s.8&refer=
June 11 (Bloomberg) -- Telstra Corp., Australia's biggest phone company,
will probably benefit the most from Apple Inc.'s new iPhone in the country
even if the Australian carrier fails to sell the handset, Merrill Lynch &
Co. said.
The iPhone will fuel interest in wireless data services such as Web surfing
and music downloads, helping Telstra generate sales from its latest ``Next
G'' network, Merrill Lynch strategists Stephen Myers and David Kaynes wrote
in a note today. Peter Taylor, a Telstra spokesman, wasn't immediately
available to comment on the report.
``Despite the fact that it is yet to make an announcement on whether it will
sell the iPhone at all, we expect Telstra to be the primary beneficiary,''
the two Melbourne-based analysts said. ``The iPhone should provide a
much-needed catalyst to prompt recent Next G converts to explore the
capabilities of their new handsets.''
Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs this week unveiled the cheaper and
faster version of the iPhone, prompting analysts to renew calls for
investors to buy the stock. The Cupertino, California-based company said it
sold about 6 million phones since the handset went on sale in the U.S. in
June 2007.
In Australia, the iPhone will boost usage and revenue for all operators, the
strategists wrote, including Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.' Optus
Networks Pty, Vodafone Group Plc's Australian unit, and Hutchison
Telecommunications (Australia) Ltd.
Optus and Vodafone have said they'll sell the iPhone when released in
Australia on July 11. Optus, which is offering priority queuing to buy the
handset for a A$100 ($94) deposit, may capture much of the initial demand,
they said.
Faster Phone
Apple unveiled a faster iPhone that will sell for $199, about half as much
as the prior model, and will begin selling the product in 22 countries
through 17 mobile-phone operators next month, up from six countries now.
Melbourne-based Telstra has the largest base of so-called third-generation
wireless customers, or those able to access mobile services at higher speeds
than on traditional phone networks in Australia, the Merrill strategists
said.
``Telstra is best positioned to take advantage of the general increase in
data usage that should flow from the publicity that the iPhone generates,''
Myers and Kaynes wrote in the report.
Merrill Lynch has a share price target of A$5.15 for Telstra, 12 percent
higher than today's A$4.59.