Provider - Vodafone NZ
Reception Issues - NO
Week Number - 27
Model Number - MB500X (16Gb White)

I bought an Iphone 3g two days ago, and the 3g recption, is most of the time, one to two bars. It also also performs better in 2g mode.

Since finding out, that the antenna is at the bottom of the Iphone. When turning the phone around, my signal increases to full reception.

I have to say, I have been dealing and fixing mobile phones for years. This is the first time I have come across, an antenna installed at the base of the phone. Where the users hand is placed sheilding the signal, from working. This phone was tested on the Optus 3G 2100 Network Toowoomba QLD.

Tell me, do we need to have heads that spin to use this phone???????????????????

Maybe Apple should go back to making computers, they can't even place antenna in right direction and position god help us!

Do you seriously think that would make a huge difference (position of the antenna)?
It is not as if there are metal plates in your hands?!

lol, the sad fact is that it really does make a difference, and mphillips1969 is absolutely correct!

i didn't get very good 3g receptionon the iphone i had, but turining the phone upside-down did get me one more bar! (sometimes even 2!)

Provider- Optus
Reception Issues- YES (at home Elsternwick VIC, old nokia 3G has full reception where iPhone has 1 bar - no call dropout and crystal clear reception) and NO (most places I go when out and about are fine. Definitely some suburbs or areas within suburbs that have iPhone 3G blackspots)
Week Number- 28
Model Number- MB496X

Provider - OPTUS
Reception Issues - YES
Week Number - 30 (so one of the later ones that the original poster said may have been "fixed")
Model Number - MB496X (Black 16GB)

Issue is just the dropping out of 3G signal, and moving to No Service in a couple of locations when I'm on the train heading in to Melbourne City. It also seems to take a while to get service back again after loosing it. Never had any reception problems on the same train line when using my old Nokia.

I think the antenna is at the top near the volume controls, good picture on the following link, scroll down to logic board and have a look, note position of the UMTS transceiver:

iPhone 3G - iFixit: iPod, iBook, & PowerBook Parts and Accessories

yes but if you search for antenna it says that the "primary antenna" is near the dock connector.

afaik the antenna's are in the bottom 1/4 of the iphone.

Arrr, yes, I missed that

lol np


yeah i think that "theory" can now be considered disproved! would have been nice if we knew that all models past x date were improved, but it's not to be

Provider - Telstra
Reception Issues - No
Week Number - 28
Model Number - MB496X (Black 16GB)

While I answered the reception issue as no I do find that while travelling if I loose 3G the iPhone has picking it up again at times. Turning 3G off/on generally fixes it. 3G also wavers around a lot between 2-5 bars. Never had it drop a call as yet but I've only had it a week.
So yes I do think the iPhone has an inherent issue with reception but Telsta's stronger signal disguises it.

Interesting read the past 20 odd pages.. I dont own an iphone but i'd be pretty shitty if the 3g coverage is as poor as it sounds.. I know the networks are doing major projects upgrading the 3g network across Australia but from what i've read you could almost blame the phone itself for some of poor manufacturing decisions.. I don't own the phone so its hard to say. only time will tell...

Well the reason i created an account was to post the link below I actually found the link to this forum thru CNET or news.com so somebody is listening..

Apple, AT&T mum on iPhone 3G issues | One More Thing - CNET News.com

In the 4th paragraph theres a link this forum..

Keep up the complaints, make the voices heard.

Provider - Telstra
Reception Issues - NO
Week Number - 28
Model Number - MB496X

Provider - 3 [bought from Telstra]
Reception Issues - No [at home, the reception graph shows only one bar, but it never loses reception completely, and I always have excellent call clarity, so I think the number of bars might be a little deceptive]
Week Number - 31
Model Number MB496X

*APPLE CONTACT NUMBER!*

REPORT THESE ISSUES TO -

Optus iPhone Tech support - 133 713
Apple Australia - 1300321456, listen to the voice prompts, there is a silent option, dial 8. Enter extension 40109. Speak with Chris.

Thanks guys!