[Exocet]

Got your iPhone 3GS and a shiny Telstra SIM card? Congratulations! I'm sure you're keen to talk about it and share your experiences. Please use this thread for any general discussion about the iPhone 3GS on Telstra.

Please note, this thread is for discussion of the iPhone 3GS. If your comments refer to using the 3.0 Software Update on previous models, please use the following thread:
iPhone 3.0 Discussion - Telstra

[ozron]

Walked into T-Life Bourke St around 8am, left 30 mins later with my shiny new white 32Gb 3GS. Brilliant! I'm a happy camper now.

[mitty]

^You were there Ozron? so was I!

Working fine so far. Synced My gmail Contacts and Calendar.

So far in the brief test I've done, 1 minute of video seems to equal about 100MB. Not to shabby.

Telstra network same as it always was.

[melbmac]

Got one from Camberwell, they let us in at 8:30, was done and out of there by nine.

Did you guys have any dramas with the activation? Apparently some code was wrong or something and mine wont be up and running until this afternoon?

The other thing is, saw the little flier the manager was handing out. On there is said, no outright sales today, no business plans and no charge for tethering!

WOOT!

Anyway, I went with the $49 cap and a $10 data pack. Am going to ring up later to confirm said details, the guy seemed to be half asleep... LOL

[laughingbird]

Could someone who has already picked up their 3GS confirm that the help.benmat.at method of enabling tethering definitely works for Telstra on the 3GS. I can't think of any reason why it would work on the 3G but not the 3GS, but just in case...

EDIT: Okay, I can now answer my own question. Yes, it works.

[tcn33]

Originally Posted by laughingbird

Could someone who has already picked up their 3GS confirm that the help.benmat.at method of enabling tethering definitely works for Telstra on the 3GS.

Can't address that, but I can tell you that tethering transfers across to your 3GS when you restore from your 3G backup. I have the tethering option enabled on my 3GS without having done anything to enable it.

[Simsalabim]

So. Got up and went in to the local Telstra Shop (Hobart) early. The line consisted of 3 people (oh what a difference a year makes - last year I was about 30 deep at 8:00).

Small business owner on plan - out of contract on phone a long time ago - large-ish spend every month (voice + data). Just thought I would be able to buy a new 32GB 3GS outright like last year.

DENIED! Two hours of my life I won't be getting back.

It would appear that the 'leaked' prices for outright Telstra handsets that appeared here earlier are not (at least not yet) up and running. The usual unhelpful Telstra clone told me that the handset is not available outright, I said they were last year, he said 'yes'. I said is it going to happen? When? He said that hasn't been announced yet. I replied - that's not what I asked. He replied would you like someone to take you through our plans!!

Two things. One - if I had been locked into a contract when I bought the iPhone 3G last year I wouldn't be paying out the contract to get a 3GS. Two - If I locked myself into a contract on the 3GS I wouldn't be able to upgrade if Apple bring out the next model
within 12-24 months. WHY OH WHY TELSTRA!!!

Add to that the Aus Governments 50% tax break for purchases over $1000 made for small businesses that I was hoping to take advantage of.

Lastly - a question for people more knowledgeable than me on the matter - if I then went down to Vodafone and bought a 3GS prepaid would I simply be able to slip my Telstra sim into it or is the imei locked to the carrier? Unlocking - at what price?

Cheers Guys & Gals!

[skm]

For the people that brought it - Is the upfront cost actually upfront, or charged on your first bill?

[melbmac]

Originally Posted by skm

For the people that brought it - Is the upfront cost actually upfront, or charged on your first bill?

They didn't make me pay it, so I assume it will be on the bill.

My iPhone is still saying it is awaiting activation and my optus number is still working perfectly. HURRY UP AND PORT IT TELSTRA!

[ozron]

Also, hasn't been mentioned here yet, but Telstra is offering an extended warranty on the iPhone for $49 to cover an additional year. Thought that was worthwhile and about 1/2 what Optarse is charging...

[Simsalabim]

Originally Posted by Simsalabim

Lastly - a question for people more knowledgeable than me on the matter - if I then went down to Vodafone and bought a 3GS prepaid would I simply be able to slip my Telstra sim into it or is the imei locked to the carrier? Unlocking - at what price?

FYI - just rang vodafone - they don't know either!!!!!! Yes for the 3G - not sure for 3GS.

[melbmac]

Originally Posted by ozron

Also, hasn't been mentioned here yet, but Telstra is offering an extended warranty on the iPhone for $49 to cover an additional year. Thought that was worthwhile and about 1/2 what Optarse is charging...

DOH! Wish they'd mentioned that to me while I was there!

Ahh well, will ask them about it when I go see them about the activation (still has not gone through by the looks of it)...

[Armige]

Did it over the phone delivered by Tuesday
Had to pay a contract breaking fee but got the phone for free.

[Muzzer]

Just went to Doncaster & got a 32 gig. Went to Telstra shop first. Took ages to get served. Asked them the outright buy price. $1040 but they would lock to Telstra network so I didn't buy from them.

Went to Apple store in Doncaster & bought it for same price but unlocked. Really happy with that. Get it from Apple shop if you can, not one of their dealers, cos they will give you a locked phone also. Apple store has great service & more knowledgeable staff.

Got home and activated straight away, no problems.

[Simsalabim]

Originally Posted by Muzzer

Went to Telstra shop first. Took ages to get served. Asked them the outright buy price. $1040 but they would lock to Telstra network so I didn't buy from them.

So Muzzer you were told that you could buy it outright locked to Telstra? Wish they'd get their story straight!!

[Muzzer]

Originally Posted by Simsalabim

So Muzzer you were told that you could buy it outright locked to Telstra? Wish they'd get their story straight!!

Yes, I was told they if I wanted it unlocked by Telstra, I'd have to pay the $150 so I went to the Apple shop and it is free from them. Ie Unlocked, so it'll work on any phone network.

Stuff Telstra, get it from Apple if you can.

[romaverona]

Originally Posted by Muzzer

Yes, I was told they if I wanted it unlocked by Telstra, I'd have to pay the $150 so I went to the Apple shop and it is free from them. Ie Unlocked, so it'll work on any phone network.

Stuff Telstra, get it from Apple if you can.

Thanks for that, I will go ahead and buy from Apple and then decide where to go from there with regard to telstra plans.

[Simsalabim]

Originally Posted by Muzzer

Yes, I was told they if I wanted it unlocked by Telstra, I'd have to pay the $150 so I went to the Apple shop and it is free from them. Ie Unlocked, so it'll work on any phone network.

Stuff Telstra, get it from Apple if you can.

Thanks Muzzer. Can I ask which Telstra Shop you went to so that I have a bit of fire power when I ring up my Telstra Shop?

Apple store is a no go - I'm in Tassie - wish they'd sell it online like in the USA.

[Muzzer]

Originally Posted by Simsalabim

Thanks Muzzer. Can I ask which Telstra Shop you went to so that I have a bit of fire power when I ring up my Telstra Shop?

Apple store is a no go - I'm in Tassie - wish they'd sell it online like in the USA.

Telstra T-Life shop at Doncaster Shoppingtown

[iAlex]

Originally Posted by Simsalabim

So. Got up and went in to the local Telstra Shop (Hobart) early. The line consisted of 3 people (oh what a difference a year makes - last year I was about 30 deep at 8:00).

Small business owner on plan - out of contract on phone a long time ago - large-ish spend every month (voice + data). Just thought I would be able to buy a new 32GB 3GS outright like last year.

DENIED! Two hours of my life I won't be getting back.

It would appear that the 'leaked' prices for outright Telstra handsets that appeared here earlier are not (at least not yet) up and running. The usual unhelpful Telstra clone told me that the handset is not available outright, I said they were last year, he said 'yes'. I said is it going to happen? When? He said that hasn't been announced yet. I replied - that's not what I asked. He replied would you like someone to take you through our plans!!

Two things. One - if I had been locked into a contract when I bought the iPhone 3G last year I wouldn't be paying out the contract to get a 3GS. Two - If I locked myself into a contract on the 3GS I wouldn't be able to upgrade if Apple bring out the next model
within 12-24 months. WHY OH WHY TELSTRA!!!

Add to that the Aus Governments 50% tax break for purchases over $1000 made for small businesses that I was hoping to take advantage of.

Lastly - a question for people more knowledgeable than me on the matter - if I then went down to Vodafone and bought a 3GS prepaid would I simply be able to slip my Telstra sim into it or is the imei locked to the carrier? Unlocking - at what price?

Cheers Guys & Gals!

Hey Simsalabim,

That really sucks....

I am in Launceston and I had no trouble this morning purchasing the 3GS outright at the Telstra shop.

I'd give it another go.