I would stick with Three if they pulled this off and offered the iPhone.

But I'm probably going to move to Vodafone. I MUST have this thing as close to launch as possible.

Hey there Voda users, can cap plan users check their usage online (like you can do via the web or on your handset with Three)?

Interesting question, if unlimited plans are not made available, they would have to surely make a "you're about to exceed your quota" message available at least. I will have to check this out with Optus very carefully.
Of course if unlimited data is offered, I would doubt this would be an issue.

Maybe 'desperation' is the magic number?

It screams of unprofessionalism. It's like the little kid on the block jumping up and down cause the bigger kid got an ice cream and he didn't.

And to be honest, they haven't done that much to bring down data costs. Vodafone actually tried back in the early 00's to being it down with their unlimited GPRS plan which got quickly capped at 500mb. Three didn't have many attractive price plans for data until Voda/Optus actually launched as well then it was on for young and old.

It's more likely that 3 wanted things that Apple were not prepared to offer. Strange though, as Hutchison (the major owner of the 3 brand worldwide and most the 3 subsidiaries) has rights in other countries. Optus/Voda must have really talked Apple out of it. I wonder how long the exclusivity is for? not long if the Telstra rumours are to be believed which we'll soon find out about if more rumours are true about Sol announcing them at the new 'concept store' opening.

Rumours rumours rumours. aint the Apple world grand?

It got Futurama back in production..

That and the fact that fox saw how much cash they were making on syndication due to viewer demand. It's more about money than anything

Hmm, don't get me started about 3 Mobile.

Their advertising says they support 3G mobile broadband in "every Australian capital city", except they don't, they don't have it in Hobart. Last time I looked, Tasmania was a sovreign state, the constitutional equal of NSW or Victoria or any other state - we have a state parliament, which is based in our state capital, Hobart.

I would sign a petition to strengthen Telstra's monopoly before I'd do anything to help 3.

A petition? I am so embarrassed for them..

I'm betting Optus doesn't have this. They still don't have live information about your usage for calls yet even. If you want to see your calls details, they only give you last months bills worth of info.

I really hope they lift their game on this... but I doubt it.

I agree with you completely, drewbles. It really is a farce when a telco has to ask it's customers to do their work for them. As a three customer I am quite disappointed in them - if I wasn't less than half way into a 2 year contract (that I only got into due to the demise of i-Mode) I would just switch to Optus or Voda.

I hope that Apple hold firm with -all- the telcos and we don't have to put up with the all branding and bloatware they likely want to install on the iPhone.

Thanks guys! Now it works! ;-)

I'm on 3 as well and it would be awsome to get the iPhone without switching!

You must be on the old billing system. Optus is in the process of a huge migration process of their billing. Green bills = old system. yellow bills = new system. The new system has lots of funky on-line stuff apparently (I haven't been migrated yet).

I'm sure there are lots of options in the new system they can use. It's if they will

I do think this petition is an odd move by 3. As some people have suggested already, maybe 3 lost out because they want to put their own software and branding on the iPhone and Apple said no way. Maybe this is 3's attempt of finding out just how much interest there is in the iPhone amongest their customers. If the interest turns out to be huge, then maybe 3 may accecpt Apple's conditions. I mean if 3 end up losing a shit load of customers to Optus or Vodafone, then maybe they will accept anything Apple demands and get the iPhone too.

I really would like to know what 3's reasoning is for this petition. Surely they know it makes them look desperate. Let the speculation continue.

Three's data packages are pretty good as they are, better than most, except for perhaps Virgin Mobile. There's a thread somewhere here comparing the different telco's call and data rates. Of course this is only valid within Three's coverage area, which is rather poor compared to others, and once you start roaming on Telstra's network for data (that happens even in the Melbourne CBD!!) you get hit by pretty obscene charges.

vodafone let you check (and pretty much change all of your own settings online) EVERYTHING online, as well as get your balance via text, vodafone live or by calling up...

Love it! Of course Steve is up and about, and reading their messages (and felt compelled to reply!)
I've signed it, but really, it's a sad state of affairs that it's got to this...