Telstra (possibly coming to its senses and going) to sell 3G iPhone

Personally I think, this is a good thing™for a range of reasons:

Stating the bleeding obvious first:

1. Great for competition
2. Telstra has the biggest 3G Network in it's NextG product (even if it is on the almost unique 850Mhz band)
3. This might stem the flow of people who've been ringing up Telstra and getting their details they need to switch (anecdotally a Telstra Shop™ I recently visited not only gave me all the details I needed then and there, but when I told them why, ie. getting an iPhone the salesperson said "Oh yeah we've had lots of people saying that - are they any good?"
4. It has pushed Optus into expanding their 3G network in the major rural centres, it may make Vodaphone step up their 3G role out (18 more months before they cover our little city).

The not so obvious:

1. Telstra will be providing a real competitor for Optus
2. People in Tasmania will be able to use it as a 3G iPhone! (Trust me there are some nice people down there that deserve a good phone).
3. Country and coastal iPhone users will have access to a comprehensive 3G network not just the CBD restricted 3G network typical of Optus.
4. I don't have to change my carrier - as long as I can get a decent plan that is...

I just hope that the amazing response Optus & Vodaphone really has woken Telstra up otherwise I will move (like many others I suspect). This is the 21Century after all brand loyalty counts for naught when the brand isn't loyal to its customer base. Are you listening Sol?

Of course the final details won't be clear until they're on the market and there are those nasty rumors that Telstra & Sol are dragging the heels as they're pushing a few changes on Apple and the iPhone (like Sensis/BigPond/WhereIs rather than Google) which would be enough for me to go to Optus. I mean seriously hasn't Sol noticed that Google Maps & Directions shit all over WhereIs for route planning or finding businesses?

I'll guess we'll all know soon enough - just glad I'm not so compelled that I need to be in the queue on July 11 for my 3G iPhone - it's nice to have choice!