Re: Telstra launches SMS from fixed lines

> > "Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
before,"
> > she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
public
> > payphones across Australia."
>
> SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.

In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647

Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005

AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
increasing number of mobile phone users.

The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
and video messages all can be sent.

Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
from which about 1 million calls are made each day.

Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.

Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30 cents
each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
conventional pay phones, 40 cents.

Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as more
people adopt mobile technology.

Market penetration for mobile phones has reached about 88 per cent in
Australia, a Telstra spokesman said, with about 17.5 million cell
phones servicing the 20 million population.

More than half of Telstra's 32,000 public phones currently allow
customers to send text messages.

Another 21 phones have been fitted with wireless technology that allows
customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
near the phone.

Giles wrote:
>>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
>
> before,"
>
>>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
>
> public
>
>>>payphones across Australia."
>>
>>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
>
>
> In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
> payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
>
> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
>
> Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
> 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
>
> AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
> interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
> increasing number of mobile phone users.
>
> The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
> access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
> and video messages all can be sent.
>
> Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
> from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
>
> Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
> tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
>
> Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30 cents
> each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
> conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
>
> Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as more
> people adopt mobile technology.
>
> Market penetration for mobile phones has reached about 88 per cent in
> Australia, a Telstra spokesman said, with about 17.5 million cell
> phones servicing the 20 million population.
>
> More than half of Telstra's 32,000 public phones currently allow
> customers to send text messages.
>
> Another 21 phones have been fitted with wireless technology that allows
> customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
> near the phone.

30 Cents an SMS is a rip off and I wonder how long one of these
interactive phones will last on the street?


--
The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/

"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
news:423f7897$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
> Giles wrote:
>>>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
>>
>> before,"
>>
>>>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
>>
>> public
>>
>>>>payphones across Australia."
>>>
>>>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
>>
>>
>> In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
>> payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
>>
>> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
>>
>> Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
>> 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
>>
>> AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
>> interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
>> increasing number of mobile phone users.
>>
>> The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
>> access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
>> and video messages all can be sent.
>>
>> Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
>> from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
>>
>> Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
>> tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
>>
>> Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30 cents
>> each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
>> conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
>>
>> Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as more
>> people adopt mobile technology.
>>
>> Market penetration for mobile phones has reached about 88 per cent in
>> Australia, a Telstra spokesman said, with about 17.5 million cell
>> phones servicing the 20 million population.
>>
>> More than half of Telstra's 32,000 public phones currently allow
>> customers to send text messages.
>>
>> Another 21 phones have been fitted with wireless technology that allows
>> customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
>> near the phone.

> 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off

Not when you consider the cost of the payphones.

> and I wonder how long one of these interactive phones will last on the street?

I doubt you'll seem many if any on any street.

Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years ago?)
the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure areas.
Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and inside a
few up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember seeing this
gear.

None of the phones made it to "the street.

One free feature was the ability to browse whitepages.com.au, albeit in a
modified form. Kind of handy, given that this was a payphone. Once the
number was found, you could select it from the touch-screen and initiate
dialling. The phone wouldn't accept coins - only cards.

I seem to remember that the net browsing side of things was unreliable. I
think it was running Windoze 98 and the system was prone to crashing.

Hmm. Does anyone remember when the trial was shut down?

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3a9fdjF6679t1U1@individual.net...
>
> "Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
>> and I wonder how long one of these interactive phones will last on the
>> street?
>
> I doubt you'll seem many if any on any street.
>

The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
message news:42403521$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...

> Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years ago?)
> the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure areas.
> Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and inside a few
> up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember seeing this gear.

> None of the phones made it to "the street.

Wot I said, much more long windedly.

No reason why they cant do the equivalent of a GPRS mobile phone handset
capability with a payphone that can be as robust as the current ones tho.

> One free feature was the ability to browse whitepages.com.au, albeit in a
> modified form. Kind of handy, given that this was a payphone.

Yep. And the map system that goes with it now too.

Doubt it would get used much tho coz anyone
with a clue uses their mobile phone instead.

> Once the number was found, you could select it from the touch-screen and
> initiate dialling. The phone wouldn't accept coins - only cards.

> I seem to remember that the net browsing side of things was unreliable. I
> think it was running Windoze 98 and the system was prone to crashing.

> Hmm. Does anyone remember when the trial was shut down?


> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:3a9fdjF6679t1U1@individual.net...
>>
>> "Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
>>> and I wonder how long one of these interactive phones will last on the
>>> street?
>>
>> I doubt you'll seem many if any on any street.
>>
>
>

> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
>
> Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
> 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
>
> The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
> access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
> and video messages all can be sent.

Apparently this is what they look like... I won't be in Sydney till
next month - perhaps a local could confirm?
http://www.phonemag.com/images/uploa...t-payphone.jpg

There's a short article with not a lot more detail. It does identify
some locations though - Central Station, Pitt St and Wynyard Station.

http://www.phonemag.com/index.php/we...ady_pay_phone/

Rod Speed wrote:
> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
> message news:42403521$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>
>
>>Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years ago?)
>>the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure areas.
>>Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and inside a few
>>up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember seeing this gear.
>
>
>>None of the phones made it to "the street.
>
>
> Wot I said, much more long windedly.
>
> No reason why they cant do the equivalent of a GPRS mobile phone handset
> capability with a payphone that can be as robust as the current ones tho.
>
>
>>One free feature was the ability to browse whitepages.com.au, albeit in a
>>modified form. Kind of handy, given that this was a payphone.
>
>
> Yep. And the map system that goes with it now too.
>
> Doubt it would get used much tho coz anyone
> with a clue uses their mobile phone instead.

I think Rod has nailed it on the head, most if not all people with any
interest or a clue will be using their phone, or I reckon they will opt
for a Internet Cafe.

Although I reckon they would be more suited for inside petrol stations,
road houses and general stores in the country. In those environments
they could also run some form of advertising.

>>Once the number was found, you could select it from the touch-screen and
>>initiate dialling. The phone wouldn't accept coins - only cards.
>
>
>>I seem to remember that the net browsing side of things was unreliable. I
>>think it was running Windoze 98 and the system was prone to crashing.
>
>
>>Hmm. Does anyone remember when the trial was shut down?
>
>
>
>>"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:3a9fdjF6679t1U1@individual.net...
>>
>>>"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
>>>
>>>>and I wonder how long one of these interactive phones will last on the
>>>>street?
>>>
>>>I doubt you'll seem many if any on any street.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>


--
The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/

"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
news:4240a2f8$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
> Rod Speed wrote:
>> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
>> message news:42403521$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>>
>>
>>>Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years ago?)
>>>the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure areas.
>>>Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and inside a
>>>few up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember seeing this gear.
>>
>>
>>>None of the phones made it to "the street.
>>
>>
>> Wot I said, much more long windedly.
>>
>> No reason why they cant do the equivalent of a GPRS mobile phone handset
>> capability with a payphone that can be as robust as the current ones tho.
>>
>>
>>>One free feature was the ability to browse whitepages.com.au, albeit in a
>>>modified form. Kind of handy, given that this was a payphone.
>>
>>
>> Yep. And the map system that goes with it now too.
>>
>> Doubt it would get used much tho coz anyone
>> with a clue uses their mobile phone instead.
>
> I think Rod has nailed it on the head, most if not all people with any
> interest or a clue will be using their phone, or I reckon they will opt for a
> Internet Cafe.
>
> Although I reckon they would be more suited for inside petrol stations, road
> houses and general stores in the country. In those environments they could
> also run some form of advertising.

Tho it remains to be seen how long those using those dont go hi tech
and use a decent mobile phone etc for that too. They're already spending
$1K class money for a decent GPS navigation system and decent wireless
net access doesnt add that much to the cost of that.

>>>Once the number was found, you could select it from the touch-screen and
>>>initiate dialling. The phone wouldn't accept coins - only cards.
>>
>>
>>>I seem to remember that the net browsing side of things was unreliable. I
>>>think it was running Windoze 98 and the system was prone to crashing.
>>
>>
>>>Hmm. Does anyone remember when the trial was shut down?
>>
>>
>>
>>>"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>news:3a9fdjF6679t1U1@individual.net...
>>>
>>>>"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>>and I wonder how long one of these interactive phones will last on the
>>>>>street?
>>>>
>>>>I doubt you'll seem many if any on any street.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> The views I present are my own and NOT of any organisation I belong to.
>
> 73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
> http://www.aca.gov.au/pls/radcom/cli...IENT_NO=157452
> VoIP http://www.TALKonIP.com.au/

On 21 Mar 2005 17:14:38 -0800, "Giles" <call125111@email.com> wrote:

>Another 21 phones have been fitted with wireless technology that allows
>customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
>near the phone.

Does anyone have any more information on this?

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ab8ahF61mgatU1@individual.net...
>
> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
> message news:42403521$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>
>> Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years
>> ago?) the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure
>> areas. Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and
>> inside a few up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember
>> seeing this gear.
>
>> None of the phones made it to "the street.
>
> Wot I said, much more long windedly.
>

Nup. You didn't refer to the previous trial. Do you remember it?

"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
news:4240a2f8$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..

> Although I reckon they would be more suited for inside petrol stations,
> road houses and general stores in the country. In those environments they
> could also run some form of advertising.
>

That's been in place for quite a long time in many Shell (now Coles Express)
petrol stations concentrated in Victoria. The system prints direction maps,
allows surfing etc. When not in use it runs advertising. It hasn't been
very popular (because it's overpriced?) and I notice that it's no longer
being promoted. A few terminals have been removed from the Shell/Coles
Express shops and I suspect they're on the way out altogether.

So I too am dubious about whether a Telstra "all singing and dancing"
payphone will ever be anything more than a niche product.

"Horace Wachope" <horry_wachope@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:tes1419q7f3622mt0mu19recph36kqmm54@4ax.com...
> On 21 Mar 2005 17:14:38 -0800, "Giles" <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>
>>Another 21 phones have been fitted with wireless technology that allows
>>customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
>>near the phone.
>
> Does anyone have any more information on this?

This is NOT the smart payphone that we're talking about here.

It's Telstra's WiFi rollout that now covers much of the Sydney and Melbourne
CBDs and has been implemented to a much more limited extent in other
capitals. It simply involves mounting a WiFi access point/adsl modem on/in
the payphone cabinet and connecting it to the phone line.

The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
message news:42411ba3$3@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote

>>> Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years ago?)
>>> the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure areas.
>>> Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and inside a
>>> few up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember seeing this
>>> gear.

>>> None of the phones made it to "the street.

>> Wot I said, much more long windedly.

> Nup.

Yep.

> You didn't refer to the previous trial.

Not relevant to the current stuff, just more long winded waffle.

> Do you remember it?

Yep.

"Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
news:423f7897$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
> Giles wrote:
> >>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
> >
> > before,"
> >
> >>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
> >
> > public
> >
> >>>payphones across Australia."
> >>
> >>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
> >
> >
> > In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
> > payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
> >
> > http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
> >
> > Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
> > 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
> >
> > AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
> > interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
> > increasing number of mobile phone users.
> >
> > The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
> > access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
> > and video messages all can be sent.
> >
> > Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
> > from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
> >
> > Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
> > tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
> >
> > Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30 cents
> > each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
> > conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
> >
> > Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as more
> > people adopt mobile technology.
> >
> > customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
> > near the phone.
>
> 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off and I wonder how long one of these
> interactive phones will last on the street?

A rip off?

What price do YOU currently pay for SMS, from your non-SMS capable grey
payphone?
Dickhead

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3aco2aF6bhj6qU1@individual.net...
>
> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
> message news:42411ba3$3@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>>> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote
>
>>>> Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years
>>>> ago?) the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure
>>>> areas. Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices
>>>> and inside a few up-market shopping malls are locations where I
>>>> remember seeing this gear.
>
>>>> None of the phones made it to "the street.
>
>>> Wot I said, much more long windedly.
>
>> Nup.
>
> Yep.
>
>> You didn't refer to the previous trial.
>
> Not relevant to the current stuff, just more long winded waffle.
>
Highly relevant to the speculation that's on offer here.

and...

sub-thread terminated, subject to giving you just one chance to go feral.

>
>> Do you remember it?
>
> Yep.
>

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:z8a0e.8731$C7.6728@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
> news:423f7897$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
>> Giles wrote:
>> >>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
>> >
>> > before,"
>> >
>> >>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
>> >
>> > public
>> >
>> >>>payphones across Australia."
>> >>
>> >>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
>> >
>> >
>> > In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
>> > payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
>> >
>> > http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
>> >
>> > Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
>> > 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
>> >
>> > AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
>> > interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
>> > increasing number of mobile phone users.
>> >
>> > The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
>> > access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
>> > and video messages all can be sent.
>> >
>> > Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
>> > from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
>> >
>> > Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
>> > tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
>> >
>> > Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30 cents
>> > each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
>> > conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
>> >
>> > Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as more
>> > people adopt mobile technology.
>> >
>> > customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
>> > near the phone.
>>
>> 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off and I wonder how long one of these
>> interactive phones will last on the street?
>
> A rip off?
>
> What price do YOU currently pay for SMS, from your non-SMS capable grey
> payphone?
> Dickhead
>

Well, SMS from regular SMS payphones (ie the ones with upgraded firmware)
costs 20c. So what is so special about these new payphones that justifies a
50% surcharge for SMS?

"The Family" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:42413b97@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:z8a0e.8731$C7.6728@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> >
> > "Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
> > news:423f7897$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
> >> Giles wrote:
> >> >>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
> >> >
> >> > before,"
> >> >
> >> >>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
> >> >
> >> > public
> >> >
> >> >>>payphones across Australia."
> >> >>
> >> >>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
> >> > payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
> >> >
> >> > http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
> >> >
> >> > Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
> >> > 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
> >> >
> >> > AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
> >> > interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
> >> > increasing number of mobile phone users.
> >> >
> >> > The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
> >> > access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail, picture
> >> > and video messages all can be sent.
> >> >
> >> > Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
> >> > from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
> >> >
> >> > Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
> >> > tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
> >> >
> >> > Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30
cents
> >> > each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
> >> > conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
> >> >
> >> > Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as
more
> >> > people adopt mobile technology.
> >> >
> >> > customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops when
> >> > near the phone.
> >>
> >> 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off and I wonder how long one of these
> >> interactive phones will last on the street?
> >
> > A rip off?
> >
> > What price do YOU currently pay for SMS, from your non-SMS capable grey
> > payphone?
> > Dickhead
> >
>
> Well, SMS from regular SMS payphones (ie the ones with upgraded firmware)
> costs 20c. So what is so special about these new payphones that justifies
a
> 50% surcharge for SMS?

Its THEIR product, THEY get to decide what they charge

You get to like it or lump it.

You arent paying anything for the "handset" or "service", so you get to pay
a higher premium on the message cost.
The phones are expensive as they are basically a mobile, payphone, and
internet kiosk in one

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3a9fdjF6679t1U1@individual.net...
> > 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off
>
> Not when you consider the cost of the payphones.

A customer dosnt give a shit about the cost of the payphones, only the cost
of using them.

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cpb0e.8863$C7.7773@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "The Family" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:42413b97@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:z8a0e.8731$C7.6728@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>> >
>> > "Simon VK3XEM" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
>> > news:423f7897$1_2@news.melbourne.pipenetworks.com. ..
>> >> Giles wrote:
>> >> >>>"Text messaging makes the home phone more versatile than ever
>> >> >
>> >> > before,"
>> >> >
>> >> >>>she said. "It follows the roll-out of hundreds of SMS-enabled
>> >> >
>> >> > public
>> >> >
>> >> >>>payphones across Australia."
>> >> >>
>> >> >>SMS payphones where it only costs 20c to send a message.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > In case you're interested - there's a new trial of 'interactive'
>> >> > payphones in Sydney where SMS is charged at 30c.
>> >> >
>> >> > http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=46647
>> >> >
>> >> > Telstra trials interactive pay-phones
>> >> > 11:48 AEDT Tue Mar 22 2005
>> >> >
>> >> > AP - Telecommunications giant Telstra has launched new generation
>> >> > interactive public telephones in a bid to compete with the country's
>> >> > increasing number of mobile phone users.
>> >> >
>> >> > The new pay phones feature colour touch screens and allow users to
>> >> > access the Internet via a broadband connection. Text, e-mail,
>> >> > picture
>> >> > and video messages all can be sent.
>> >> >
>> >> > Telstra currently owns about half of Australia's 65,000 pay phones,
>> >> > from which about 1 million calls are made each day.
>> >> >
>> >> > Ten new interactive phones - which cost about $10,000 each - will be
>> >> > tested over a 10-week period in Sydney's central business district.
>> >> >
>> >> > Internet access will cost $2 for 20 minutes, text messages are 30
> cents
>> >> > each, and video messages cost A$1.50. Local calls are the same as
>> >> > conventional pay phones, 40 cents.
>> >> >
>> >> > Pay-phone use has declined over the past 10 years in Australia as
> more
>> >> > people adopt mobile technology.
>> >> >
>> >> > customers to connect remotely to the Internet from their laptops
>> >> > when
>> >> > near the phone.
>> >>
>> >> 30 Cents an SMS is a rip off and I wonder how long one of these
>> >> interactive phones will last on the street?
>> >
>> > A rip off?
>> >
>> > What price do YOU currently pay for SMS, from your non-SMS capable grey
>> > payphone?
>> > Dickhead
>> >
>>
>> Well, SMS from regular SMS payphones (ie the ones with upgraded firmware)
>> costs 20c. So what is so special about these new payphones that
>> justifies
> a
>> 50% surcharge for SMS?
>
> Its THEIR product, THEY get to decide what they charge
>
> You get to like it or lump it.
>
> You arent paying anything for the "handset" or "service", so you get to
> pay
> a higher premium on the message cost.
> The phones are expensive as they are basically a mobile, payphone, and
> internet kiosk in one
>

In this case the customer has much more choice than simply liking or
lumping. In particular, he decides what he'll pay. within limits.

The market takes at least two to tango.

There's a heap of competition out there for SMS cents. One bet I'd take
anytime: That I could, within 3 minutes in a busy street, borrow a
passer-by's mobile to send an SMS - and the passer-by would politely decline
my offer to pay 20c.

So you see, Mikey, SMS can easily be free for me.

The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in
message news:42413b16$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>>>> The Family <someone@somewhere.com> wrote

>>>>> Last time Telstra trialled Payphone-style internet terminals (5 years
>>>>> ago?) the expensive-looking equipment (from NEC?) was placed in secure
>>>>> areas. Airport departure lounges, Telstra shops, inside post offices and
>>>>> inside a few up-market shopping malls are locations where I remember
>>>>> seeing this gear.

>>>>> None of the phones made it to "the street.

>>>> Wot I said, much more long windedly.

>>> Nup.

>> Yep.

>>> You didn't refer to the previous trial.

>> Not relevant to the current stuff, just more long winded waffle.

> Highly relevant to the speculation that's on offer here.

Not to whether it will appear ON THE STREET,
rather than in more secure locations, cretin.

All you did is waffle on about the specifics of the non street locations.

> and...

> sub-thread terminated, subject to giving you just one chance to go feral.

Even you should be able to bullshit your way out of your
predicament better than that pathetic effort, cocksucker.

>>> Do you remember it?

>> Yep.