Depends on what standard the carriers are using.
Telstra Claim that NextG is the fastest cellular network in the world, at 14.4Mbit/s

well my phone was out speeded at the mac meet even by people on the same carrier so I don't know if it's my phone but yes I am getting all of those symtoms ecept drop outs. I get an average speed of 500kbs with the highest of 890kbs when most people are getting 1mb. Should I get it replaced?

asking for volunteers to complete survey up here - iPhone Australia reception quality
for those interested

if you don't have a 3G iPhone, on an Australian carrier, please don't bother :P

quick update guys - i called optus regarding these issues.

spoke to quite a helpful guy. he claims to know of no other reproted issues like this (on optus) in australia. the suggested "fixes" from higher up the tech-tree seemed to be "move closer to the tower," and "live with 2g."

the tech suggested that if people are having issues with 3g on optus that they should ring iphone tech support. he said the more people that report an issue, the more likely something will be done.

the direct dial number to optus iphone support is - 133713

if you are on optus, and having some 3g reception issues, then do everyone a favour and let them know. (takes about 10 min.)

I got my iPhone 3G today and the 3G reception (Optus) goes from full bars to no bars in my area (Elsternwick). Mostly no bars but not No Service. It still receives perfect reception and calls don't drop out. When 3G is switched off it was always full reception.

In other words, he told you, "tell someone who cares, cause I don't".

I can assure you that I've spoken to both Optus and Apple (all the way to Executive Relations at Apple) in length about the 3G issues with our phones. They know, they just don't care.

oh im sure apple/optus (etc) know and the company line they are told to recite is that "there is no issue." completly agree with you there!

but regardless, the more people who log complaints/issues, the better chance of something being done.

it also helps you if you decide to return the iphone due to unsatisfactory performance. there will be a note in your file that you reported x issue on y date.

whats the point question 5 asked what issues you have with reception, there is no section for no problems making the poll a bit pointless

sorry that question was meant to be "optional"

ie if you dont have any problems you could have left it blank, should be fixed now

when will the results of the poll be posted?

i think the free version of the poll only allows 100 responses.

9 people have done it so far.

i can give you updates if you want, when i'm around

that would be great, It would be great to know if people who are on Telstra and Voda are having the same 3G signal drop outs than those on Optus.

9 replies (all AU.)
8 optus / 1 telstra
4nsw/3vic
7/9 average =<2 bars reception
all of the "issues" have at least 3 confirms, 8/9 say they are getting only 1 bar of reception in areas which are known to be better. 6/9 report slow data transfers, 6/9 report slow to change between 2/3g or to pick up service.
>50% of people rate their local 3g coverage =>7/10
regardless of "bars" service ~60% of people rate call quality =>7/10
data transfer speeds range from 223-1000kb/s. most around 300-400kb/s.
models number vary but 3 ppl have mb496x (pretty sure we also have a 1st gen iphone user too...)

also the single telstra user so far reports similar issues to optus users

From what I've been reading in the Apple Support discussions and places like HowardForums, it's not a carrier specific problem. People are pointing fairly and squarely at Apple, as different phones on the same network can have dramatically different outcomes.