The Free Data Dude Now Works For Telstra (Kinda)

This movie is writing itself.

After downloading about a terabyte of data during Telstra’s ‘Free Data Day’ last Sunday, 27-year-old John Szasvari gained immediate notoriety among Australians who saw him as either a folk hero or data-guzzling villain. (We say folk hero.)

Now, News.com.au says Telstra has recruited Szasvari to test out their new 1GBps mobile broadband hotspot before making it available to customers.

It will, apparently, give him speeds “around three times faster than his current phone.”

Yeah, because this guy needs faster download speeds.

Speaking to News.com.au, Szasvari explained why he changed his mind just days after saying he’d never work for Telstra, and will instead now take a spot in Telstra's testing lab.

“They mentioned to me they wanted to get me to test out the speeds, to try and push it to the limit so they can see what happens on their end,” he said.

“Quite frankly it sounds absolutely amazing. If they can pull off what they’re developing, I feel a bit odd saying this, but I feel it would change or impact the NBN debate quite significantly.”

However, he’s still not Telstra’s biggest fan.

“[This] doesn’t mean they’re the best company in Australia; they’re ridiculously expensive, their customer service is non-existent pretty much, and going into a Telstra store is quite possibly one of the most painful things you could do in your life,” he said.

“None of this would have ever happened if I had working, consistent internet in my house.”

Nonetheless, ride that wave, John.

Photo: News Ltd.