I have only just joined Optus on Friday morning so not sure what to expect from their coverage, but looking at their coverage maps every thing looks fine here in Ipswich.

My iPhone either shows

-Optus 3G
-Optus & a Dot (GSM)
-Optus
-No Service

When it shows just Optus I can't access and data, no safari, no internet apps, nothing, but still gets SMS or phone calls.

And I'm getting a lot of NO Service.

What's with the phone just showing 'Optus' if this isn't 3G or GSM what is it?

Also tonight I found it hard to get any data no matter if it was showing 3G or GSM.

Maybe Optus is overloaed with new iPhones? And I'm guessing there is only one tower in Ipswich, could this be true?

There's your problem.

But in reality, no one really knows whats happening just yet.

Give it a few days and see if things have improved, Optus will no doubt be playing around with their network for a while

I've got the same issue in Tamworth. I dont think the 3G coverage here is powered up to 100% though.

Coverage with Telstra 3G has been flawless so far.

<evil cackle />

I sure hope you didn't post this from your iPhone, because you just used up your data allowance.

</ snide>

Optus with a dot is GPRS, Optus by itself is what I assume is the standard GSM network - of which the iPhone is not configured to work with (data wise).

And yet another Optus and iPhone coverage question:

Optus TAS coverage here:
Optus - About Optus - TAS

What I don't understand is, is the bottom map showing predominantly "Existing GSM and Wireless Broadband using 900Mhz" (an almost orange colour)or "Existing GSM and Wireless Broadband using 2100Mhz" (a lighter yellow)? And does the 2100Mhz coverage go beyond/extend the 900Mhz coverage?!

Assuming of course, that "Wireless Broadband" is 3G reception.

I blame optus for using 3 different shades of Yellow. WHY!

Don't be silly! Everytime he wants to post he gets in his car, drives 5km to the nearest McDonalds, posts then drives home again. Couldn't be simpler.

See, there's no need for actual mobile data when you've got free wi-fi...

But seriously, Telstra's coverage is better and will remain better for a long time. It's just a shame their prices are so ludicrously high.

Isn't GPRS=Edge which then phone does not support, so it would not even pick up the signal.
And GSM is the slowest, hence you can still access the data but at super slow speeds.

The Tech Specs:
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) = 3G Only 2100 MHz for Optus
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Edge 900 does not work for the iPhone so wont even see it
but 1800 GSM should be the Optus Dot, which is their GSM

Is this right?

Ref:
vodaphone rural coverage - Vodafone - Mobile Carriers
iPhone - Technical Specifications - Apple

In order of speediness:

HSDPA
UMTS
EDGE (Optus does not have an EDGE network)
GPRS

GSM does not have data, GPRS is the data component of GSM.

Optus does HSDPA/UMTS on the 900Mhz frequency in regional areas, 2100MHz in metro. The iPhone does not do HSDPA/UMTS on the 900MHz frequency.

If you want your iPhone to work on 3G in the country, Telstra is your only option (enjoy paying through the nose for it though!).

GPRS is an option for all of the nice Optus colours, so should you be able to get GPRS everywhere with the iPhone?

Oh no freaking way!

Hate for Optus:

how are you WA guys looking for optus, ill be moving back to south perth

Ive been with Optus for a very long time and have found their coverage to be really good.

But since moving to the iphone really shit. With poor to no service in areas I would have full service on any other phone.

This is really poor almost unusable.

I hope this can be fixed with software update or optus fix and it's not hardware.

Cheers.

In the weeks leading up to the iPhone release Telstra threatened o take Optus to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over their claims about coverage. -

Telstra slams Optus over 3G network claims | NEWS.com.au
<snip>
On the same day the 3G iPhone was unveiled, Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan announced the carrier would be expanding its 3G network to cover 98 per cent of the population by December 2009.

But Telstra claims this was misleading, and the 98 per cent coverage would be a mixture of wavelengths that not all phones supported.

"It’s like someone claiming they can get cable TV without a cable," said Telstra spokesman Peter Taylor.

"Just this week SingTel Optus’ CEO was claiming a new mobile would operate on its proposed 3G network, but failed to mention it was on the wrong frequency."

The company has sent a legal notice to Optus warning that it may be in breach of the Trade Practices Act by failing to specify some handsets lack full compatibility with the Optus 3G network.

An Optus spokesperson said the company would "continue to be clear about the compatibility of devices on its network", but would not comment on Telstra's claims.

The 3G iPhone supports three wavelengths: 850Mhz, 1900 MHz and 2100 MHz.

The Optus 3G network is a mix of 900MHz and 2100 MHz wavelengths – only one of which is compatible with the iPhone.
</snip>