Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundG'day all, continuing the discussion from previous thread - I had the first mobile
phone issued to the public in Australia, copy letters below dated Feb. 1985 showing size 45cm long x 37cm wide x 16cm deep. Weight 14.2 kg. Total purchase cost $4482 (in 1985) connection fee $150, annual network rental $800 pa, call charges - dependant on usage. These carphone numbers all started with 007,
mine was 007 312869. All of this is itemised in these letters below. This
phone was the exact same
phone that was permanently mounted partly under the
seat & the rest in the boot of your car - Telecom mounted that
phone into a Samsonite suitcase hence those large suitcase dimensions. If you already had one of these phones in your car ( they all had to be pre purchased from Telecom) in this letter it says "Telecom will remove it for $100 & fit to mobile case $492 for components & assembly" They always had perfectly clear connection & unlimited range as the went through telephone exchanges (no such thing as cell network!). When this
phone would "ring ring" you would have to hide to answer is as people thought you were a freak with a mobile
phone 'specially when the number started with 007!
In october 1985 the first cell network was introduced with 2 types of cell phones available, a 2.5 watt "pocket
phone" - very large but would just fit in your top shirt pocket - I still have my original Mobiltronics handset with charger 'n bits & sales brochure which was an instruction book exact size with
pic.of
phone. this
phone cost approx. $5500! The other
phone was a 5 watt (supposedly with a much longer range than the 2.5 watt pocket model)
phone mounted in a box approx. 20cm long x 100cm wide & 100cm deep, both models had pull up antennaes. This
phone came with a vinyl carry bag & was commonly known as "the brick". After time it was proven that they both had the same range. I still have the original
phone handbooks for the 007
phone & the Mobilenet users guide for the cell
phone. also when you had a mobile phoneTelecom would send you a very nice soft black vinyl bound diary "with brass corners" each year - I still have issue number 1 here with me.
I recently received (26/8/10) a letter from Telstra CEO Mr David Thodey thanking me for "retaining our early mobile products and
services is very signifiant and marks an important milestone in Australia's telecommunication history, and of course your continuous loyal patronage of Telstra's mobile network." That's a long plan 1985 to now, 26 years!