Two iPhones, two issues, I'm not giving my right to a product to anyone. There is a faulty batch, that's obvious from the issues around the globe.
Those with excellent service should just be thankful they didn't get a faulty phone and stop trolling for arguments.
On a side note, I got a call last night from an Optus technician, he told me that after inspecting my local towers, there seemed to be no problem with them at all, and if anything I should be getting full coverage in my area at all times.
His response was that the handsets must be faulty if I don't get full coverage, and that if my Motorola V3XX is getting full service where the iPhone isn't then it's obvious that both iPhones are faulty.
In the meantime, I've lodged a complaint with Fair Trading, ACCC and the TIO. (Some may say I've gone over the top, but if you knew what I just went through with Apple on Friday, you'd do the same).

Care to elaborate on your experience with apple? I was going to call them today.

I think the next step for me is to call Allphones and check their stock (they'll have none,) and see if I can 1-1 exchange, or at least pop my sim into another to compare. If the signal isn't any better then I'll probably return it, and wait things out (unless I hear something more positive from Optus/Apple.)

Well, I spoke to a guy called Chris from the customer relations team after being passed to second level technical support. I was told that I could get an Advance Replacement handset for only $39. 45 minutes after speaking to Bruce at 2nd level support I got the confirmation email to find that they placed a hold of $799 on my credit card on top of the $39 I was told it would cost. The $799 was never divulged to me, so I spoke with Chris about this (12.30 was when I finished up with him). Chris told me that he would investigate how to get the $799 reversed. 3.30pm no word from him. I called again, noone in the office knew where he was. I called reception and asked to speak to their legal department because I was going to give them fair warning that I was going to take them to the magistrates court for an order to return the $799 under section 25 of the TPA. I was transferred through to the Executive Relations Team. I spoke to a guy named Kane, there, who assured me that he would get in contact with Chris straight away and sort things out. I eventually got a call back from Chris at 4.30pm who told me that it would take 5 days to reverse the hold and they were looking at the call recording to make sure that Bruce didn't divulge the entire contract with me. That was the end of that.
So today, I'm heading down to my local magistrates court to get an order for Apple to release the hold they placed on my credit card for $799 (without authorization).
I'm supposed to be getting one of the new handsets either today or tomorrow.

Good luck with your call to Apple today vandozza!
I am feeling nervous now by these reports,
as I am waiting to pick up mine,
I had reception issues with my first gen iPhone but I thought since the iPhone 3G has a plastic back that these issues would be less of a problem.. Obviously haven't tested 3G yet as the first gen didn't have it.

wow, sorry to hear of such a bad experience.

if they try to charge $799 to my credit card, i think it would bounce...
keep us informed with how your replacement unit goes. will be interesting to see!

oh my god... that story makes me feel sick

WOW! What an ordeal.

Could you please report back on how the new handset performs? What will you do if it has the same issues?

I too have crappy 3G reception in an area that has full 3G reception with other handsets on the same network.

don't be too put off SilverJ, i mean its obvious from reading just this thread that many people are doing fine!

also over at the apple discussions, if we assume that apple has sold > 1 million iphones (and probably closer to 2m?) and only 400-500 or so pepole have complaints, then it's not a big percentage of people/iPhones with problems anyways.

There may well be Faulty iPhones on the market, and if so, going by the summary above,it would appear that the majority of the faulty phones have been delivered to Optus customers!........................ there may be a conspiracy afoot.

But seriously for a moment.

Macrich., before you do anything else, would it hurt to find someone with a Voda or Telstra Sim card, and try your ipohone on another network.

That would at least then, give you a clearer picture of where the problem is.

I also had the $799 hold on my credit card, but he told me that up front.

My Advance replacement unit should be arriving today.

Let us know how you go with the replacement handsets, my 3G reception (Optus) is great in the CBD but in other areas with known good 3G it is below par.

i will be trying this today as well. if i can find a telstra 3g sim. i best turn data off prior to using their sim though, in case they dont have a data plan!

Edit- getting way ahead of myself... Need the unlock to come through first! Should be any day now. Does anyone else with an unlocked iPhone want to try this, especially if you are someone who thinks their phone reception is poor, and you are on Optus! Would be nice to know if carrier helps at all.

phase, on page one you reported no problems with your iphone. did issues develop, and if so are they the ones that others have seen? or is your replacement for a totally differnt problem? thanks!

Same here. I will just wait for the next software/firmware update and see what happens.

I would be very surprised if a software/firmware update will fix what probably is a hardware problem or a 3G coverage issue.