Optus Considers Free 3G Phones

Optus is preparing to offer free mobile phones to push customers towards its third generation srvice, but hasn’t found an appropriate handset or price.

The number-two telco has spent $370 million on its 3G mobile network, which gives users faster and cheaper services, but is yet to aggressively push its 2G customers towards it.

Earlier this year, almost 500,000 Hutchison mobile subscribers were offered a new free 3G handset as the provider moved to ditch its 2G network.

Optus chief executive Paul O’Sullivan said the telco would look to offer free handsets before Christmas. “We are driven by customer behaviours, rather than necessarily by the technology itself,” Mr O’Sullivan said. [3G!]

Source