"There are now more than 30 handsets on Telstra's Next G(tm) network, including seven that have the Blue Tick for recommended handheld use in rural areas," said Telstra Country Wide general manager, Ian Peters.

"Our customers are certainly getting the message, with Blue Tick handsets accounting for more than 50 per cent of the Next G(tm) handsets sold in the last couple of months.

"With mobile phones, it's not a case of 'one shoe fits all' and that's why we introduced the world-first Blue Tick program - to help customers identify the handsets that will perform best in rural areas. No other mobile phone company offers this kind of service for its customers.

"Of all the Blue Tick handsets, the Telstra Country Phone(tm) (the Telstra 165) has certainly generated the most interest and been very popular.

"It's purpose built for rugged outdoor conditions and the pull out antenna maximises coverage, making it a big hit for customers who live or work on the land," Mr Peters said.

In addition to the Telstra Country Phone(tm), Telstra's Blue Tick handset range includes the Telstra 165, Nokia N95, Samsung A412, Samsung A411 (prepaid), and the Sony Ericsson Z750i.

Mr Peters said several factors needed to be considered when customers migrated to the Telstra Next G(tm) network:

* Whether they need to maximise their coverage experience;

* Where they will be using the device - metropolitan areas, regional areas or rural areas within the Next G(tm) network coverage area; and

* Whether they will use it in handheld mode or in a car with either a directly coupled car kit or patch lead and external antenna.

"As with any mobile network, coverage on the Next G(tm) network depends on where a person is, what particular handset that person is using and whether that handset has an external antenna attached.

"For example, CDMA customers should do a 'like for like' upgrade by ensuring that if they are using a car kit or external antenna with their CDMA device, then they also use a car kit with a directly coupled external antenna with their new Next G(tm) device.

"We want to work with our customers to ensure they get the best possible performance from Telstra's world class Next G(tm) network so the best thing that a customer can do is to visit a Telstra Shop or dealer and talk through their mobile requirements," Mr Peters said. However, Jock Laurie, president of the NSW Farmers' Association, said that the association had been working with both members and Telstra Countrywide for several months to ensure that rural communities are not disadvantaged by the move to Next G.

"With Telstra planning to switch off the CDMA network shortly we recently asked members across the State to fill out a survey about Next G to ensure that we obtain the best from the new network.

"Around 1,200 Members responded to the survey, and the preliminary results show 71 per cent of respondents have found the CDMA network to be more reliable than Next G.

"Unfortunately, the results show that farmers still have concerns with a number of aspects of the new network including in-call drop outs, handset performance, car-kit reliance, poor and unreliable reception and Message Bank problems.

"Many of the survey respondents indicated that whilst they had adequate phone coverage with CDMA, they now have little to no service with Next G.

"One of the most common concerns raised by members was that car-kits were needed to get a Next G signal, while CDMA phones worked unassisted.

"While car-kits are of benefit on the road, they are irrelevant when farmers are on quad bikes, working on foot, in the tractor or on a horse.

"However, 38 per cent of people said reception didn't change when a car-kit was used, and 36 per cent said they had difficulty acquiring appropriate accessories, with many reporting Next G signals fading just 20 kilometres from a major town.

"Many members also reported the problem of calls going straight to Message Bank despite the handset indicating there was a signal.

"The results also show that 23 per cent of respondents have not yet made the switch to Next G, despite the January 28 CDMA deadline fast approaching.

"More than 800 respondents also asked the association to pass on their details to Telstra to discuss their individual Next G concerns.

"These details have been forwarded on to Telstra Countrywide and it is my understanding that they are now working on those responses.

"The association has passed on the survey results to the National Farmers' Federation, who are in discussions with the Federal Government regarding farmers' feedback on Next G.

"To date, Telstra Countrywide has been committed to addressing our issues and we will continue to work with Telstra until these problems are addressed.

"People in rural communities have a right to adequate telecommunications and they also rely on their mobile phones as a safety mechanism to be able to call for help in the event of an emergency - so the network must be reliable," Mr Laurie said.