When JOHN HARRIS decided to upgrade his iPhone to run on Telstra's Next G network, he got more than he bargained for - on a number of fronts.

I had the most amazing experience last week.

While heading for a week in the outback, I noticed that my iPhone maintained Internet access all the way from Adelaide to more than 200km north of Port Augusta.

By comparison, my previous mobile service provider – whose name rhymes with Dropped Us –struggled to provide continuous call coverage for even small country trips, such as a drive to Clare.

I started hunting for a new mobile service shortly before my previous two-year contract expired.

When I told Telstra Business I wanted to churn three mobile numbers from Optus, I was offered a spectacular deal: A Double Welcome Points credit of $1080 for each number, putting each one on a $180 per month plan, with unlimited Australian calls and SMSes, plus 2.5 gigabytes of data monthly.

The sweetest part of the offer is that once the welcome credit of $3240 expires, I can move all three services to lower-cost plans without any financial penalty.

In a nutshell, it gives me free calls, texts and data for the next six months. I was also promised an iPhone 4 when stock arrived.

The pain started when I called Telstra to confirm the details of this offer – particularly the no-cost exit from the $180-per-month, all-you-can-call plans – and was told they were wrong.

Eventually, after a letter of complaint to the salesman concerned – copied to his boss – a flurry of phone calls confirmed the veracity of the original offer and my new phone arrived.

Although I initially struggled to understand the generosity of the Double Welcome Points offer, I'm starting to see its benefit to Telstra.

Basically, it’s already changing my mobile phone habits. I’m eschewing landlines to use my mobile – synchronised with my 7000+ contacts from Outlook – to make virtually all calls.

Even better, by simply turning on my iPhone’s Internet Tethering function, I can use it to connect my computer to the Internet – even from Coober Pedy!

With a 2.5 gig data allowance per phone and Next G’s amazing coverage, this avoids the hassle of hunting for Internet access at every place I stay.

I’ve also learned some important lessons.

Firstly, ask around for the best mobile deal because some great ones are on offer: Even if you’re on a contract, it’s worth asking because an updated plan might give better service for the same spend.

Secondly, always write down the name and personnel number of people you talk to in a call centre so you can verify the identity of who promised what if a matter comes into dispute.

Thirdly, if you’re unhappy with a service, let them know in writing – because just sometimes, it can make your world a better place.

John Harris is managing director of Impress Media Australia. Email jharris@impress.com.au.

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