G'Day X-Series!

3 Australia has launched X-Series and joins the family along with the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Hong Kong.

Well done to everyone down under!

If you're in Oz and want to get hold of X-Series check out the local site. You'll find info on pricing, handsets and the great services that are part of the X-Series.

We hope the launch means we get lots of new Aussie activity here on the X-Series blog. Check out this post if you want to get more involved and/or join the Virtual X-Series beta test panel we are setting up to help us test new software and services.

Where to find X-Series from 3 Aussie style on the web: http://xseries.three.com.au/xseries/

Welcome!

//de

Comments

[Tom]

Now, why does Australia have 4 phones on x-series and the UK only has 1? How does that work, its obvioulsy not a language problem!

Also, I note that the N95 is listed as "coming soon", check http://xseries.three.com.au/xseries/mobiles_compatibility.shtml

[W.A]

Is it a marketing trick? I got w950i because it was soon to support x-series and then "umhh, sir you need to have E65 to get x-series?" Do they think I am a phone collector or what??
I know they get very good deal from Nokia if they promote their phones but that comes with another price… sacrifying your customers! I mean they are promoting E65 on X-series even though it still doesn’t support Mobile Mail, MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Go

[alan]

Very disappointed in the X-Series launch in Australia. None of the handsets offer all of the features in the bundle, only two of them are Skype-compatible, the Skype access is capped, the web access is capped, the prices are significantly higher than in the UK, and they don't include any voice minutes. Could you *be* less competitive?

[oliverw]

Congrats 3. I've been waiting for this for a while, but I'm going to hang out a little longer for the N95.

[Andy]

the only thing im really interested in HSDPA and mobile as modem so there are a few phones / options that work for me, this may be what gets me to switch to 3..

[Jon]

I am glad that finally we do have the X-Series in Australia but I would like to see it available on more phones.

I guess everyone would.

I don't understand why if there are new handsets being made why they arn't x-series compatable. Such as the Nokie N93i which would be prefect for the X series.

[poedguy]

Lets just hope they'll allow non-3 HSDPA phones like the i-Mate Ultimate (www.clubimate.com/ultimate) series.

I know 3's position on non-3 phones, but I don't really care as I'm currently using an i-Mate JASJAR on 3's UMTS service.

[alan]

I've reviewed the Australian X-Series in a little more detail now, but I'm still underwhelmed, sorry :-(

[Halfway2ForeveR]

Have to say I expected more too, No MSN on the D810 what is the deal with that. The software is preloaded anyway all you need to do is enable it's port. No skype either. Was gonna sign up as soon as it was available but no msn makes me think twice....

[LJ]

Cant believe Australia has all those phones and it has just launched and the UK has only one!! Thought we were meant to be getting an update early this week???? I want the W950i and the N95!

[de]

Hi LJ. I did say "I'm hoping to post something early next week." :-) Am working on it and will get you the latest news asap.

[scientaestubique]

I'm also waiting for the N95, but I want a phone with all of the advertised services, not just some. I won't be buying anything with crippled apps and software caps.

[Daniel]

Australia can expect the E65 to support MSN and Yahoo soon. Three Australia will not release it until it works spot on. There are too many people walking around that still write off Three because of the early Vodafone-roaming days.

All services are being worked on for all handsets. If it's not out right now, don't assume that Three's holding out on you. Depriving you of services isn't what XSeries is about.

I did some digging and found out why current WM5 Skype clients aren't supported by Three Aus. It turns out that by law, all communications have to be interceptable by government agencies. The default Skype clients for WM5 aren't, making it illegal for Three to officially endorse them.

The N95 and LG Shine should support everything, including HSDPA.

Australia's XSeries is more expensive than the overseas offerings, and no Sling here either kinda annoyed me, but lets face it - it's the best we've got here. If you want better, then build a time machine, go back a decade or so and quietly do in our former Minister for Communiations, Senator Luddite. Australians will know who I'm talking about. The man that put us back behind Europe and Asia by a few years.

I got all this information by asking the right questions of the right people, and searching for honest, validated, referenced information on the internet.

[YS]

Sighh, the phone in aus r dissapointing. Y cant X-series support something like dopod 838pro? :( some1 over the phone at 3 even told me as long as u can download it from the net then u can use it already, lukily i didnt get conned ) :(

[Andy]

Hey.. Can anyone tell me if HSDPA is already enabled on the LGu830 or if there is something that I would need to do to enable its use?

[Daniel]

Firmware upgrade is required - I'm not sure if it's available yet, though. In my experience calling 3Care won't always get you a proper answer, because it will depend on your local service centre, not Three.

Call a 3 store, ask who does firmware upgrades, call them and ask if they can do it yet :) .

[Bryan]

how come the Aussie site has Dopod 810, and N95 as Coming soon, and the UK one has E65? Why in Hong Kong we have motorola razs, Lgs, W950, and N73. We have the dopod and 02 stuff but not on x-series, and theres no N95 on any other x-series sites.

[LJ]

I was told in a 3 shop yesterday that the new LG phone, the SE950i and hopefully the N95 will be released on X series at the beginning of April...

[Ben]

The new australian "x" plans are interesting.

But, I'm disappointed that the three website says: "You need a compatible mobile to add an X-Series bundle to your existing Cap or Plan." This means users with older handsets are stuck with higher data prices. For example, the "gold" x series cost is $30 per month for 1gb plus extra stuff. The 1gb "mobile broadband plan" is $49 per month with no extras. Lifewise the "platinum" x series is $40 for 2gb plus extras while the 2gb "mobile broadband plan" is $69 with no extras.

So three australia, why not:
- decrease the "mobile broadband plans" to be consistent with the new "x" series plans, or
- allow any three user to sign up for the "X" plans on the understanding that some of the fancy extras like Skype won't work.

I could understand limiting the "x" series plans to new users if three made its profit on selling new handsets. But, my understanding is that the handset side of things is break even at best. Also, it occurs to me that people using the older handsets but paying for the same "x' series plan would tend to cost three less than people using the fancy new phones because of:
- no subsidy of handset costs
- less intense data usage because of no "HSDPA" capablity
- less data usage because no Yahoo, MSN, Skype applications
- no leakage of voice call revenue because of Yahoo, MSN and Skype substitution.

I guess if three hopes to make all its profits from excess data usage the argument could go the other way - the new phones with faster downloads and more services would push people past their limits quicker. But, this doesn't really stand up as some of the "authorised" phones don't include "HSPDA" and applications.

All up, I can't see how the higher data costs for older users can be justified.

Note: all prices taken from the three.com.au website on 1 April 2007.

Ben

[Daniel]

I think it's a bit silly that mobile broadband users are better off just buying a HSDPA X Series mobile, but despite the "interesting" responses you sometimes get from the sales staff, I'm pretty confident the people in charge have noticed this.

Wouldn't surprise me if new mobile broadband plans are in the works.

[Rhys Smith]

X Series seems cool, I bought a SE W950i outright from Three late last year, with the understanding it would be one of the first X Series handsets. Even on this blog it says "w950i is go"! Then why is it not even listed as "Coming Soon" for Australia?

[Andy]

Hey, Well I gotta say I’m impressed and slightly less impressed..

SO: I decided to give this whole x-series thing a whack (needed a new phone, most friends are on 3, needed internet and didn’t have a phone line at home – wireless modems are like $300 and the reception in my area is pretty bad.. so x-series seemed compelling) so I got the LGu830. I like it (as far as phones go) and as for surfing the net (using the phone as a modem) it all works perfectly and was almost too easy to set up. The only annoying element is that, after switching networks and being told by the sales girl that the phone I was getting had HSDPA enabled (as opposed to being HSDPA ready) I have since found out (not very difficult to work out) that its not. So the nets a little slow (better than nothing though) and my local friendly 3 people tell me that it takes 4 weeks to send my phone away and get it flashed to the latest firmware/software (whatever) to make HSDPA work.. This is of course after being told by the call centre that HSDPA was working on my phone (which it obviously was not, this was confirmed by the guy in the 3 store). So anyway, it works great, just have to figure out a way around this particular nuisance..

Regardless it’s a damn sight better than dealing with Telstra.

[Daniel]

Find out where they send the phones in your area for the upgrade. Walk in, show your receipt and you'll get MUCH prompter service. :)

[Andy]

Good plan. Will try that out.

[Daniel]

Glad to help.

You know what, this blog needs a forum! :)