Edit Aug'08 :
Has anybody else in the 'Heads noticed an improvement in the GSM service from Telstra? We are now able to hold a conversation if we sit in the lounge of our place without calls dropping out - amazing! I can't take any credit for this interesting development but I have heard that the NextG service power levels have been turned down a notch as it was interferring with the GSM service in some areas. Maybe the reason...

Well, my endeavours to try to get something done about our mobile phone 'service' here at the 'Heads hasn't borne any fruit. You might be interested in this reply we finally received from Telstra:

'Telstra's primary mobile technology in Shoalhaven Heads is Next G which provides good coverage in the township and surrounds. We also have GSM technology in the area but it is mainly for the Princes Highway with any coverage in Shoalhaven Heads considered fortuitous. Telstra has no plans to extend the GSM coverage footprint outside the urban centres however we are only one of several carriers who have GSM networks. These carriers may want to improve their mobile presence in the Shoalhaven Heads area.. '

So, essentially what they are saying is this - they want us all to switch to Next G and because of this, they have no interest in improving their GSM service coverage to the 'Heads. They are also saying that they never actually provided GSM coverage to Shoalhaven Heads - any coverage we got was just 'spillover' from the Princes Highway cell towers. Ok - if that is so, then why does their coverage map for GSM state that we are in the 'green zone' (ie: good coverage)? Try it yourself - here's Telstra's Coverage page (choose GSM / 3G).

Well, so now we are left with two mobile phones that are useless for making or receiving calls around the house - we'll just retain them for emergency use when we are out and use VOIP (voice over internet) for all our calls, to mobiles or otherwise. Our phone company (Southern Phone - who we are very happy with in every other respect) won't get hardly a cent from us for calls. I guess they aren't too happy about that, but they are reselling Telstras 'service' and if we can't use it then that's not our fault is it?

My advice to others is to do as we did - complain, loudly to as many organisations as you can. You probably won't get anywhere but at least your concerns will add to the growing unrest!