Telstra launches super receptive handset for country Australia

Telstra today launched a new, super receptive, mobile phone - the Country Phone - which enables people to take even more advantage of the expansive Next G™ network coverage across Australia.

The Telstra 165 'Country Phone' is one of two new Next G™ handsets being added to the growing 'Blue Tick' range that Telstra recommends for handheld use in rural areas. The other new Blue Tick handset is the Nokia N95, which will be in stores from mid-November.

"The Country Phone is the first Next G™ handset with a pullout antenna and it's built to meet the demands of Australia's tough outdoor conditions. The handset's bigger design incorporates a large, easy to use key pad to accommodate even the biggest of fingers and the phone is protected in rubber casing, is dust proof, shock and liquid resistant," Telstra Country Wide Group Managing Director, Mr Geoff Booth, said.

"Moving to the Next G™ network is simple and easy and with the growing range of handsets there has never been a better time to make the switch. Customers just need to drop by a Telstra Shop or dealer and we can quickly get them set up with the same number and the right phone and plan to meet their needs - we can even copy across their contacts onto the new phone," Mr Booth said.

Telstra Product Management Group Managing Director, Ms Holly Kramer, said while the Country Phone had a focus on utility, the Nokia N95 had all the style and sophistication synonymous with one of the world's leading handset brands.

"Incorporating advanced multimedia functionality and elegant design, the Nokia N95 is the first Nokia handset to achieve Telstra's Blue Tick for handheld use in rural areas," Ms Kramer said.

The sleek Nokia N95 handset boasts a 5.0 Mega pixel camera with a Carl Zeiss optical lens, video capability, GPS map functionality, MP3 player, FM radio, and wireless Bluetooth technology.

The Nokia N95 also features a unique dual slide mechanism, enabling the user to view the large colour screen in either landscape or portrait mode, which is ideal for internet browsing or watching video files.

Both new handsets offer easy 1-click advanced content and applications including access to BigPond® TV, 33 channels on Mobile FOXTEL, Sensis® search services plus an array of free BigPond content such as the latest news and weather reports.