While on the road we have run into a lot of difficulty getting both TV and phone reception .  I reckon we got a lemon when we let Mr R.Sol get out of the country with that bonus package when  the system he superviswed and suposedly improved  is utter crap once you leave the coast or a major coastal  town.   After 56 years to develop analogue and now we have another 56 year ahead of us to develop digital to a standard  that is reliable   The phone system forget we are back to the age of steam power in that area, really third world tin can and string techonolgy

All this technology is aimed at serving the majority of the population base ie cities around the coast and some strategic locations inland about 200kms. After that, you're on your own. The folks who choose to live outback and work out there are still stuck with satellite technology only in most cases. I'm guessing you're not surprised at these developments. Are you? Cheers Chris

wombat it's all about money,          and i am not talking about "sols" pay packet.    the only way australia will get a decent outback phone and tv system,is if the federal govement builds it.   private enterprise wont build this system,because there is nothing in it for them.        but on saying this i am hopping that the new satellite that optus has just launched,will bring better commumication's to the bush.   we all know that its only for the major population centres.

Now when the country's major telecommunication provider was a Federal department it didn't matter where they went, all they wanted to do was serve the people and provide a service. Now we have this huge private telecommunication corporation it's all about money for them and service for the people has gone out the window. Doe that answer your question? Cheers Chris

I recently bought a telstra based...mobile phone with what they call blue tick........guess what.....not even 10 klm from home.....no signal.....why did I bother??? Technology is great when it works Dave

I agree.  They say they cover 98% of the population well  must be the unluckiest bugger in the whole of OZ I always seem to hang out with the 2% crowd.

Right on the money it's all about bottom line and I consider that  the most basic of communication services is the right of all regardless where you live.  Read a story about Tully half way between Townsville and Carins one street back off the highway  and can't get service.  Thanks Sol

Are you with Vodafone too Wombat?  They have even less coverage than Telstra.

Will be changing my carrier when the contract is due for renewal.

Telstra has to be a tad better than Vodafone.

Even on major highways the coverage with Vodafone is limited but if you look at the pamphlet they give you with their coverage done up in red, It would seem that you get coverage all around the coast of Australia.   Crap.

Even 10ks south of Ulladulla, 25 meters off the beach and no coverage.

Ma

I agree ith you Ma.
Was with Vodafone for quite a lot of years but have recently changed to Telstra.
At least I can get calls at Logan Village (Qld) now, when we visit our daughter. Only 30Km out of Brisvegas and no pickup with Vodafone! :(

All those other providers lease space from the Telstra infrastructure. Optus also has some infrastructure of their own. If it's not Telstra or Optus they only buy a little bit from the 2 big boys. Wherever there's fibreoptic cable you have mobile. Where you have mobile NextG or 3G you will have wireless broadband. Just don't expect too much of any of them when you go inland or more than 10kms from a major centre anywhere out there. Technology is a wonderful thing - when it works. Cheers Chris