How To Get Your Apple Iphone 3GS To Work From Telstra

So I purchased by first Iphone, the latest 3GS from the Telstra Store on Bourke Street yesterday. I already made mention about Telstra’s hesitation to sell it outright, but I have a contract with them and would add browsing data so they were happy for me to buy one.

Problems Setting Up My Iphone

• Where is the Sim Card slot?so I get my phone and it’s all good then I get back to my office, go to put in the Sim Card and I can’t find the slot. Am I stupid? I pass it around to 2 other people who also cannot find the slot. The included manual is pityful and doesn’t include how to find the Sim Card Slot. After wasting a bit of time it’s time to do what I should have done to begin with, Ask Google. My answer is there. By inserting the tiny silver tool (of which is not mentioned in the manual or anywhere, it just lies loosely in the box), in the top of the Iphone, the Sim Card tray will then shoot out (see the Picture at start of post).
• Remember the pin number for your Sim CardIf you are transfering your old Sim Card like me, you will be asked for the Pin Number. I had no idea what it was, I got the card years ago.
• Ring Support During Business Hours
  I then have to ring telstra, who tell me that I will just have to lock the Sim card by tapping in the wrong code the maximum number of times before it tells me I now need a PUK code. Telstra phone support then supplies me with a new PUK code which I then enter. Now I’m allowed to enter a new PIN code for my Sim Card and away we go. But not quite.
• Activate your card via the latest ITunes
  Before you use your phone, have you to activate your Sim Card via ITunes. This required me to download the new version, no problem. Once the version is up and running ITunes I’m told that my phone will not support my Sim Card. It is too old. I quickly run to the T-Life Store before they close but don’t have sufficient Identification on me, I will not be able to connect with my Iphone until the next day.
• A Good Word About the Iphone (Not Telstra)
  I can use everything on the phone except for the Telstra phone and 3G data service. I can use all the applications on the phone but more importantly, I can use WiFi and connect online to allow me to browse the App store and play with the phone before I start sending sms and making calls.

I’ll give my initial impressions of my Iphone 3GS tomorrow.

As of yesterday, I became the proud owner of an Iphone 3GS through Telstra. It wasn’t until today however that I could use the Iphone as an actual phone. I will explain in a post tomorrow why this was the case and how newbies like myself may be able to avoid the delays and challenges I faced in using my Iphone for the first time.

Having To Deal With Telstra

I bought the Apple Iphone 3Gs 32GB version for $1042 outright from Telstra’s T-Life Store on Bourke Street in Melbourne. After being sent upstairs to purchase the Iphone outright, I asked a member of staff  there about it and with hesitation and a look of doubt they said they must refer to their manager for advice.

She returned and asked me if I had services with Telstra and I informed her that I did and wanted to continue my plan with Telstra and that I would be adding a browsing pack to my capped plan so that I could browse the internet on the 3G Network. Straight away she said, okay we can do that and returned minutes later with my new Iphone.

Why Does Telstra Not Want To Sell The IPhone Outright?

Apple and Telstra have a bad relationship. Apple won’t budge on it’s outright Iphone pricing and as such, the amount of money that Telstra makes on outright IPhones is a paltry amount. As a result, Telstra is extremely hesitant to sell the Iphone outright (particularly if there’s limited stock) to customers unless they have a current account.

Why Am I With Telstra?

They do have a good network but most importantly for me, I will probably NOT need a large amount of data each month. This is important because Telstra data rates for mobile users is extremely expensive compared to competitors Optus and Vodafone. I will be getting 300MB (approx 10MB a day) for $30 a month. If my usage is half of that, then i will consider dropping to the $10 a month 150MB (approx 5MB a day) browsing pack. If you want as much data as you can get for good value, I would strongly recommend going with someone else.

When away from WiFi I hope to keep my browsing and the use of Maps to a minimum. Tomorrow I’ll put up a post that may be particularly useful to newbies about getting your Iphone up and running as quick as possible.

Mmmmmm Telly Beans…

Just wanted to share my latest on the large waste of space that is Telstra’s T-Life Store on the Corner of Bourke and Swanston Street. Throwing staff members on the street again, this time sporting huge blue afro wigs handing out baggies of blue and orange jelly beans. That’s right! The corporate colors of Telstra. Not really understanding the relevance of the Jelly Beans though.

• I’ve changed my address with them 3 times and they still fail to update my records
• I never get paper bills
• Sure, there’ve been times they’ve waivered late fees because of it but then I’m stuck with bulk amounts because I didn’t jump online, log into my account and check how much I owe them
• Today I received a waiver of late fee for not even receiving my online bill
• I owed them 2 cents with my home phone bill after I moved which I couldn’t pay via net banking or over the phone because the amount was too small and of course I couldn’t pay at the post office because they can’t give me 3 cents change. After a lengthy amount of time on the phone the customer service rep just said to me, “you know what, I’m just gonna get rid of that for you”

Just like me, she knows

TELSTRA SUCKS BALLS!

No showbag, no hats, no other freebies. I went to the public launch day of Melbourne’s first Telstra T-Life store and all I got was this crummy bottle of water.

A prime location and prominent building once showcasing the best of child Slave Labour, this corner of Bourke and Swanston Street is now home to one of the largest Telstra stores ever. What a wasted opportunity inside and out with a nasty, long, digital advertising billboard with nothing of interest for anyone really.

STORE CONTENTS

Downstairs

They showcased the upcoming Foxtel HD. I didn’t think it was very well done. When you’re demonstrating High Definition Video you really need to make sure that the display is stunningly, jaw dropping crisp.

A good example of this is at the Sony store in the Galleria, up the escalators (near the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street). I tried to take into account my position to the screens, standing at different angles and distances. I also took control of the remote to ensure that true HD content was being displayed.

There are a few touch screens with boring content, some kid playing games, some fake grass with a phone at the end of it and a drum set, electric guitar and keyboard that I wasn’t actually allowed to play. All in all, a large space that some people had trouble filling with new and exciting stuff.

Upstairs

At the top of the escalators you’re faced with a small seating area containing shelved and refrigerated water. Let’s hope this free water remains a permanent feature, it could be the only thing that entices people into the store, locals and tourists alike. This floor consists mainly of many more touch screens and every mobile phone available through Telstra. There’s a bit more to it like a training/information/seminar room but essentially, more waste of more valuable space.

Conclusion

These new T-Life stores from Telstra are another notch on Telstra’s in your face branding, it’s just a huge shame that it’s at the expense of Melbourne’s city charm and the street experience of the general public. This prominent location is a HUGE 14 month letdown and my heart bleeds for the staff that out number the customers.