some official comment would be nice, just to reassure people there isn't a problematic batch of hardware out there.

having read the article you linked to i'm much more comfortable in considering this might be a software/firmware issue, as prevously i could not understand why other 3g phones don't demonstrate these issues in my area.

No issues that I have noticed. On Telstra (was loyal Vodafone customer for years but FREE Wi-FI on the iPhone was too hard too turn down).

lol i appriciate your input David, but no need to tell us twice, and "rub it in!"

I get:

Slow to change between 2/3G networks
constant no service
1 bar reception.
I never get dropped calls, or slow data transfers

Im with Optus, on the Sunshine coast, about 1hr north of Brisbane, QLD.


Regards,
Beau

Same. I was using a Voda postpaid sim in my unlocked Telstra iPhone so I was able to compare Telstra and Voda reception (even tried an Optus prepaid sim). Cancelled my Voda service and signed up to a contract with Telstra yesterday and got another 16GB Black, ended up giving the unlocked iPhone to the misses, so she's happy!

With Voda it kept switching a fair bit from 2G to 3G around my area (Green Valley/Liverpool area) with Telstra I have had constant 3G coverage.

Well, Telstra does claim to have the best 3G coverage and after reading this post I think they might be telling the truth...

David, I don't think that you will find anyone disputing that here.

However on the Optus/Voda/Other networks, many people are reporting issues only with the iPhone, where other phones perform without problem.

For example, I have a Nokia 6110 that recieves full 3G signal strength, gets very infrequent "No Service", picks up a solid 3G connection after it does drop out (underground parking etc), doesn't drop calls, and downloads >780kb/s.
The iPhone is capable of 0 of the above, when being used in the same locations. I am no engineer and can not explain this, but there is a great disparity that does not make sense.

I've said it beofore, but if we just knew if it was a problem with -
-hardware
-software/firmware
-carrier hardware/configuration
or -that this is all we can expect from the iPhone due to x reason.

Then I would be greatly reassured (and know if to send the iPhone back again or not.)

dont know whether this has been mentioned
but this is a 101 from Apple
Understanding cellular data networks on iPhone 3G

Ipswich - Optus

Just today I haven't been able to download any data via 3G, even though I have had about three bars, but GPRS works fine.

Has data been turn off on 3G this weekend in ipsiwch...weird.

I think this is the most imporatnt part of this document:

Q: Why does my iPhone 3G show 1 bar while another 3G phone shows 2 bars.

A: No standard exists for mapping signal levels to actual bars. The bars are an estimate of how good the signal conditions are.

I've moved from Vodafone to Optus.

This is what I am finding.

I was having a few dropped calls on the iPhone. Nothing too bad but just noticed it. Hubby takes the unlocked phone with him on business so I revert to my Nokia N73 which is also 3g and I've never had any problems with dropped calls.

I now struggle to make calls without it dropping out every 2 minutes. WTF!!!!! I don't get this. Full signal one second. Drops to nothing for 2 secs and straight back up to full signal again. My problem is that the call drops out.

I then think back and I realise that some of the time to save battery I turn off 3g on the iphone as I am connected via wifi at home so no need for 3g. This may explain why I didn't experience many calls dropping out. I probably had the 3g off most of the time at home.

I have now disabled my 3g on the Nokia so I can actually use it as a phone (its not a phone for surfing but I did use to like reading the headlines when I was on Vodafone).

Hubby is back later so I can test out the iPhone more. I suspect that I am dropping calls as the phone tries to switch from 3g to 2g and back to 3g. Only time will tell. If this doesn't solve it I am screwed because I had a 10 min work call and the person had to call me back 3 times the other day.

Optus tell me I have perfect 2g coverage and patchy 3g. My view though is that I don't need 3g at home so lets home that the 2g is working ok for me.

Does anyone know if you can manually switch from 3G to 2G on the new iPhone?

Yes, go to Settings -> General -> Network, then toggle the 3G to off.

Just an update, I had an Optus technician experience a dropped call this afternoon. He stated that my signal was fairly poor and will be taking this information to Apple.

its not nice to wish issues like these onto anyone with a brand new iphone that they love so much. but i'm glad the optus tech got to see whats going on first hand.

all of these posts are making me less and less keen to get an iPhone I hope this can be fixed via firmware, otherwise I might have to look at getting another phone