Vodafone, Optus to stock Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Samsung, Telstra at odds over tablet.
Samsung Australia has confirmed telcos Vodafone and Optus will stock the Galaxy Tab 10.1 before Christmas, adding to the list of retailers looking to stock the tablet.

The tablet would be made available from next week, after a High Court this morning maintained the full Federal Court's decision to overturn a ban on the device.

The 16GB version of the tablet will be sold at a recommended retail price of $579 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version and $729 for 3G connectivity.

A 64GB version of the tablet is also planned for Australian launch but is likely to face a delayed release.

Samsung has begun importing the devices while some of the major retailers - including Harvey Norman, JB Hifi, Good Guys, Myer, Bing Lee and Officeworks - have begun "pre-sales" of the device from today.

"They're out scrambling to see who can and who can't to be honest with you but we expect to see that today or tomorrow," said Tyler McGee, vice-president of telecommunications at Samsung Australi.

He said the company had received a "very strong response from all of our retail partners", despite claims during court proceedings that continued delays of the tablet's launch in Australia had caused ill will between the South Korean manufacturer and some retailers.

McGee confirmed that both Vodafone and Optus would join the major retailers in carrying the 3G and Wi-Fi versions of the tablet.

An Optus spokesman would not provide further details on the tablet.

A Vodafone Australia spokeswoman confirmed it would begin offering the tablet from December 16 for $24 a month on a 24-month contract or $50 a month on a 12-month contract.

Plans begin at $39 a month on a 24-month contract.

It would take orders from 4pm today.

It has previously sold slightly varied Galaxy Tab 10.1v and has featured the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on its "coming soon" website for tablets.

But McGee appeared to be at odds with Telstra over whether the tablet would be sold by the nation's largest telco.

He told iTnews that the company would provide the Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet through "selected Telstra Stores".

When asked to confirm, however, a Telstra spokesman said the company had no plans to sell the device.

"We are stocking the Motorola XOOM and Acer Iconia tab so will not be selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1," they said. "This arrangement is unrelated to court proceedings."