Is there any way I can get out my 24 month Optus $39 (+ $12 handset) contract?

The network coverage, the shit speeds and the inability to check my account online are absolutely disgraceful for a telco as big as Optus.

If I happen to find a way out, I think Telstra wil be having my business once again.

Yeah, you can pay for the cancellation of the contract.

Other than that, you're in a contract and theres not much you can really do. It could be possible to terminate the contract if you wanted to take legal action but at the end of the day, its really not worth the money it'd end up costing and it'd be more than likely that a court would allow you to terminate a contract on the basis the speeds aren't lightening fast.

Perhaps if you were a business and you couldn't use the phone for a couple of days or so you'd be more than likely be able to succeed.

But other than that, we're all in the same boat, we all know Optus is shit at the moment in regards to their 3g Speeds and Network.

You dont want to mess with Optus contract. They might let you out eventually and then put a bad mark on your credit rating. You would be best to live out your contract and then move on.

If you've had the phone for less than 30 days you can just hand it back no questions asked under the coverage guarantee.

You can cancel it easily enough - just call them. It won't be a nice figure when you quit though

Thanks for the advice.

Could it possibly be a faulty handset? I don't get any service at all in Keith, SA (5267) or any 3G service at O'Halloran Hill, SA.

I doubt there is anything wrong with the Handset, just the provider. Try cancelling under the coverage clause.

You can call the TIO (tio.com.au) and lodge a complaint. Optus will call you back in 3-4 days and sort something out with you. Many people have already done it with Optus and now have an unlocked iPhone.

I started my contact on the 11th July, and received my phone about 2 weeks later. I'm pretty sure I'm outside of the coverage guarantee.

According to those maps, you shouldn't get 3G coverage. (iPhone doesn't support 900Mhz and the other area doesn't have 3G at all). So it isn't the iPhone's fault. However, can that be the basis for cancelling a contract without penalty? I dunno.

Either way, you're going to have to pay back the handset as that isn't free - so brace yourself for at least $700.

I'm aware that Keith doesn't have any 3G, but I should be getting some GSM service, right?

The other area is apparently covered with 2100Mhz 3G service, the colours don't really match the legend.

I dont think the coverage problems are related to optus, i think its the iphone has a poor receiver

For the week i had my optus sim in my k800i i had full coverage at home and work - now with my iphone im lucky to get 1 3G bar

yeah the iphones reciever may be crap but nothing can account for the slow data speeds with optus

Got a link to the coverage clause? The only thing I found in my signed contract was that they'd provide me access to the 3g network where available and access to the GSM network where available.

To be able to cancel under such a clause they'd have to stipulate what type of speed you should be getting and if you don't get such a service then would you be able to terminate under such a clause.

i guess youre right but still you could argue that there should be a level of service that is adequate and optus fails to meet that level.