Telstra has announced it will be the third mobile carrier to offer the iPhone when the handset launches in Australia on July 11.

In doing so it has become the first carrier to unveil pricing details for the device. Telstra's two-year iPhone plans start at $30 a month with an upfront cost of $279 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB model.

Those who opt for an $80 a month plan will receive an 8GB iPhone at no cost, while those on the $100 a month plan could get either the 16GB or 8GB models at no cost.

Vodafone and Optus have already announced their own deals to carry the much-hyped music player-phone hybrid device, leaving 3 as the only main carrier left out in the cold by Apple.

3 mobile has launched a new website, three.com.au/iphone, encouraging customers to register their interest "for the powers that be at Apple to see".

Telstra's consumer group managing director David Moffat said the new 3G iPhone would run on Telstra's Next G network.

"With iPhone 3G on the country's largest and fastest 3G network, providing coverage to 99 percent of the population, more Australians will enjoy the iPhone 3G experience in even more places," he said.

It is rumoured Telstra took longer to finalise its iPhone deal due to a dispute with Apple over providing access to Telstra's content services from the handset.

In the US the 8GB iPhone will sell for $US199 ($210), while the 16GB model will retail for $US299. All buyers will be required to take out a two-year contract with AT&T, Apple's US mobile partner.

Source: smh.com.au