Dan Warne at APC reports that Virgin's mobile broadband service, which uses Optus' 3G network, is no longer going to be sold via retailers (though it will continue to be sold via the Virgin site and over the phone). While Virgin hasn't gone as far as Optus itself, which pulled its similar Fusion product altogether back in September, it suggests once again that excess usage can quickly floor a 3G broadband service, and that checking you have suitable coverage before signing up is vital. If you're in the market for 3G broadband, be sure to check our comparison guide to available options.

Optus this week launched an IOU feature on its prepaid mobile plans, in effect giving you emergency access if your credit runs out and you can't find somewhere to top it up (or you're waiting until pay day). Text IOU to 468 and you get $3 of credit, which is automatically deducted from the value of your next top-up. That could potentially be helpful, but note the fine print: you need to top up within three days or you'll lose the value of the credit, while still being charged for it. Also, you can't use the option until your balance dips below $1.50. Rates remain the same as your existing plan, so if you really do need that $3 to survive until Friday, spend it on texts for maximum value. Optus IOU

When Optus launched its prepaid 3G broadband service back in August, we noted that there was a nasty catch: usage was charged in 10MB blocks. Now Dan Warne at APC reports a new and nastier twist: the value of recharges on the service has just been dramatically reduced, with (for instance) $30 now getting 1GB of downloads rather than 2GB. Telstra's rival prepaid service is the main alternative, but also comes with a sting due to its 30-day expiry rules. The moral? As ever, choose carefully before going prepaid.

We all know that network performance degrades the more people are connected, but it's always seemed safe to assume that commercial mobile phone networks would be able to handle large numbers of people. However, the limitations of current setups have been exposed this week, with the news that Optus has decided to suspend selling its Fusion Wireless 3G broadband and phone packages, which provided both Internet and phone services via the 3G mobile network. The reason? "To ensure that we deliver an optimal service to our customers," according to Optus, which might be sensibly translated as "we're not managing to do that with the current bunch of wireless Fusion users". Whether you're an Optus customer or not, it's a useful reminder that relying on a single connection for all your telephone and Internet needs can put you in a tricky position if things go wrong, because pretty much nothing will work if anything goes wrong. I get my wireless broadband from an entirely different company to my mobile and ISP service for that reason; what backup strategies do you use to ensure you're always connected?

If you only want wireless broadband occasionally -- when you travel for work or pleasure --then a prepaid plan sounds like a good investment. Optus has just launched such a deal; pay $199 for a wireless broadband modem and then recharge in blocks starting at $30 for 30 days access. That might sound like a tempting offer but, as Paul Wright points out over at APC, Optus is charging a minimum 10MB access each time you connect -- so if you check your mail a few times a day, you might chew up more data than you anticipated. Proceeding with caution might be wise. [Optus Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband]

Existing iPhone owners are now queuing to update their software, but some prospective iPhone buyers  are unhappy they haven't got the device yet. Mitchell Bingemann at AustralianIT reports that several Optus customers are unhappy they were persuaded to sign up for a plan even though phones weren't delivered, and now face getting a monthly bill even though there's no phone in sight. Other carriers also have problems (most notably Vodafone and its no-end-in-sight plan confusion). How was your iPhone buying experience? Would it put you off buying one again? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Billed for iPhone but no device [AustralianIT]

As expected, Virgin Mobile has officially launched its iPhone plans in Australia -- and they look like a relative bargain. With 3 also launching iPhone data plans (even though it can't sell the phones), Optus updating its plans soon after launch and Telstra dropping its data charges yesterday, the plan landscape is now looking rather different than it did on iPhone launch day just three weeks ago. Click the jump for our analysis of where the best deals are now (assuming you can find someone with a phone in stock).

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While it isn't actually the first provider to offer untimed mobile calls (goTalk's VOIP plans have a similar feature), Optus' new Timeless bundles do offer a cheap option if you make lots of calls to mobile numbers. Of particular note given the ongoing debate over iPhone plans is the $129 bundle, which includes 2GB of data and an all-you-can-call policy for $129 -- a much better deal than the iPhone's $149 1GB launch plan on Optus. If nothing else, this is yet another reminder that signing up early for the iPhone was always like to be a costly decision.

Having been the first carrier to reveal its full Australian iPhone pricing plans , Optus is now sending out email advice on the best way to score one of the coveted 3G phones when they go on sale on Friday. Its suggestions in a nutshell? People who have paid the $100 pre-registration fee will get priority when queueing, and be allowed into stores two hours before general opening; there's allegedlty a "limited" number of phones that aren't allocated in each store, so your best option might be to head to the nearest local store and try your luck. If there's no more phones in stock, you'll be able to place orders, though there's no word on a delivery timeframe. And don't try cheating by ordering online or by phone: no iPhones will be sold that way until a later date.

Optus is the first Australian iPhone vendor to reveal its full range of iPhone prices, ahead of the launch on July 11. We've analysed the plans to work out which options offer the best deals for typical users. (We'll repeat this exercise for the other carriers as their full details get released.) Click after the jump to pick the right plan for you if Optus is your chosen carrier.

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