When a country's as large and sparsely populated as Australia it's tricky to deliver mobile coverage to every cover.

In order to get around this – and the slightly insincere boast that it's now providing 100 per cent mobile coverage across Australia – Optus is now offering Thuraya's new generation of SatSleeve models, the SatSleeve+ and SatSleeve Hotspot.

Compatible with a range of iOS and Android devices, including handsets from Samsung, HTC, LG, Sony and Huawei, the SatSleeve+ turns the user's handset into a satellite phone via the SatSleeve app.

What's up your sleeve?

Provided a line of sight to the satellite exists, the add-on enables users to make calls from anywhere in Australia.

Similarly, the SatSleeve Hotspot also uses the satellite signal, but instead converts it into a Wi-Fi hotspot, delivering calls, SMS, and data.

The SatSleeve+ and SatSleeve Hotspot cost $899 each, with a minimum cost of $15 per month on a month to month plan.

• Optus crowned Australia's fastest ISP

Vodafone postpaid customers packing a Samsung smartphone will be the first to experience the telco's VoLTE technology when its rollout commences just in time for Christmas.

December will see owners of the Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ and Note 5 receive Vodafone's new offering, which enables users to make calls using Vodafone's 4G network, resulting in shorter call set up times and longer battery life on some devices.

VoLTE keeps users on 4G during voice calls, rather than reverting back to 3G as they've done in the past. But using 4G like this won't get in the way of other 4G activities, so customers can keep browsing the web or using social media while making or receiving a call.

Re-VoLTE

The technology will see Vodafone maximise the spectral efficiency of its network, enabling 2.3 times the users per MHz.

VoLTE will become available on a growing range of smartphones throughout 2016, until it is made available for all postpaid and prepaid customers.

Vodafone isn't the first telco to the VoLTE party, as Telstra started to roll out its own version of the functionality, called 4G Calling, in September.

• Keen to try the new tech? Maybe you'll be tempted by Vodafone's new 15GB plan.

Prepare to see Apple fans dancing in the streets – or at least queuing in the rain – with the long-awaited launch of the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus today.

At 8:00am this morning, Apple's flagship store on Sydney's George St flung open its doors to a wave of umbrella-clutching iPhone fanciers.

With a line stretching down George St – not to mention those who camped out for a week or more in advance – the iPhone's knack for inspiring manic devotion appears to remain intact.

The waiting game...

As is often the case with iPhone launches, handsets will likely be scarce after the initial rush from the true believers, and those who don't obtain their device today may have to wait a couple of weeks at least before stocks replenish.

Apple stores aren't alone in the iPhone frenzy, with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin stores nationwide also unlocking their safes and freeing the Apple-y goodness within, though their stock is likely to be comparatively limited.

While it's certainly an impressive piece of tech, the Aussie pricing for the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus has gone through the roof, with the entry-level 16GB iPhone 6S costing $1,079, compared with the launch price of $869 for last year's 16GB iPhone 6. It will be interesting to see how, or if, this steep rise impacts iPhone sales on our shores.

• Looking for a new Apple handset? Check out the best Australian iPhone 6S plans and the best Australian iPhone 6S Plus plans.

Aussie Apple iPhone 6S plans

In case you haven't heard, Apple has some new smartphones coming out, and while the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are predictably the most advanced Cupertino's ever come up with – there wouldn't be much point otherwise – they're also considerably more expensive than iPhones past.

Yes, that weak Australian dollar will really hurt when it comes time to upgrade your Apple kit, so it's important to get the best deal possible.

Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile have all announced the prices for their iPhone 6S plans, so here's techradar's rundown of how much bang you'll get for your buck with each telco.

16GB iPhone 6S

Telstra

Telstra is offering the 16GB iPhone 6S in all four of Apple's shades (Space Grey, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold) on a number of 24-month plans.

The entry level S plan costs $87 per month and offers customers 1GB of data and $550 worth of talk to standard Australian numbers. The minimum cost is $2,088 over the 24 months.

The next level M plan costs $92 per month, and offers customers 2.5GB of data and $1,000 worth of talk. The minimum total cost over 24 months is $2,208.

Telstra's next step up is the L plan. This bumps data and talk up significantly for just $99 – only an addition $7 per month. Customers on this plan will receive 6GB of data plus a 1GB bonus offer, bringing the total to 7GB. They will also receive unlimited talk, and a minimum total cost of $2,376 over the life of the plan.

Telstra's top XL plan costs $135 per month and offers customers 10GB of data plus a 5GB bonus offer for a total of 15GB. Talk is unlimited and the total cost is $3,240 over 24 months.

For anyone who burns through all of their allowance, Telstra is offering extra data at $10 per GB.

Optus

Optus has five 24-month iPhone 6S plans for customers to choose from and offers the 16GB iPhone 6S in all four shades.

The most affordable costs $73 per month ($40 for the plan and $33 for the handset) and for that customers receive 500MB of data (like Telstra, Optus offers an extra GB for $10), unlimited talk to standard Australian numbers, and unlimited text to standard Australian and selected international numbers. The total cost over 24 months is $1,752.

Optus' second plan costs $79 per month ($60 for the plan and $19 for the handset), and for that customers receive 3GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and up to 150 minutes of international calls. The total cost is $1,896.

Next up is the Optus $86 plan ($80 for the plan and $6 for the handset). Customers receive 6GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and 300 minutes of international calls. Total cost is $2,064.

Heavier data users might choose the $100 plan, which offers 10GB plus an additional 2GB, totalling 12GB of data. Customers also receive unlimited talk and text, as well as 400 minutes of international calls for a total of $2,400 over 24 months.

The biggest plan Optus has on offer costs $135 per month, and comes with 16GB plus a bonus 4GB for a data total of 20GB. It comes with unlimited talk and text, and 500 minutes of international calls. It also comes with a bonus 10 days Optus Travel Packs, meaning jet-setting customers can receive unlimited talk and text plus 50MB of data per day in over 90 countries. This costs $3,240 over 24 months.

Vodafone

Vodafone customers can also pick up the 16GB iPhone 6S in each of the four colours on one of five plans, with the added bonus of two months of unlimited data at the start of the chosen plan.

Voda's cheapest plan costs $79 per month ($40 for the plan and $39 for the phone) and for that customers receive 1GB of data, infinite standard national calls, and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas. The total cost is $1,896 over 24 months.

The second Vodafone plan offers triple the data for just $3 more per month. Costing $82 ($60 for the plan and $22 for the phone), customers receive 3GB of data, unlimited standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $1,968.

The next step up costs $89 per month, for which customers receive 8GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $2,136 over 24 months.

For $103 per month Vodafone customers receive 12GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite standard text here and to overseas, and 120 standard international minutes to selected countries. The total cost of the plan over 24 months is $2,472.

Voda's priciest plan for the 16GB iPhone 6S costs $130 per month and includes 20GB worth of data. As you'd expect, it also comes with infinite standard national calls and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas, as well as 120 standard international minutes to selected countries. The total cost is $3,120 over 24 months.

Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile has the widest range of plans available for for all four finishes of the 16GB iPhone 6S, with seven on offer and the added bonus of rollover data.

The opening plan costs $61 per month ($30 for the plan and $31 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,464 over 24 months. For that, customers receive $300 worth of standard national calls and texts and 300MB of data.

The next plan costs $73 per month ($40 for the plan and $33 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,752 over 24 months. Customers receive $450 worth of standard national calls and SMS, as well as 1GB of data.

Oddly enough, Virgin's next plan also costs $73 per month ($50 for the plan and $23 for the phone), totalling $1,752 over 24 months. But this plan offers customers $500 worth of standard national calls and SMS, and 2GB of data – why anyone wouldn't choose this plan over Virgin's other $73 plan is beyond us.

$79 per month ($60 for the plan and $19 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,896 over 24 months, gets customers unlimited calls and text within Australia and 4GB of data.

$83 per month ($70 for the plan and $13 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,992 over 24 months, sees customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, with 6GB worth of data.

For $86 per month ($80 for the plan and $6 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,064 over 24 months, customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, and 9GB worth of data.

Virgin's top plan costs $100 per month ($100 for the plan and $0 for the phone) – totalling $2,400 over 24 months – offers customers unlimited calls and text within Australia, along with 13GB of data.

64GB iPhone 6S

Telstra

Like the 16GB model, Telstra's offering four different plans for the 64GB iPhone 6S, and has all four colours of the handset available.

The cheapest, the S plan, costs $95 per month – total $2,280 over 24 months – and offers 1GB of data and $550 worth of talk.

The M plan costs $102 per month – total $2,448 over 24 months – and offers 2.5GB of data and $1,000 worth of talk.

The L plan costs $112 per moth – total $2,688 over 24 months – and offers 6GB plus a 1GB bonus for a total of 7GB of data, along with unlimited talk.

Telstra'a biggest plan, the XL, costs $147 per month – total $3,528 over 24 months – and offers 10GB of data, with a 5GB bonus, totalling 15GB, along with unlimited talk.

Optus

Optus has all four finishes of the 64GB iPhone 6S, which is available on five different plans.

The entry plan costs $79 per month – total $1,896 over 24 months – delivering 500MB of data, unlimited talk within Australia, and unlimited text to standard national and international numbers within selected countries.

The next plan costs $88 per month – total $2,112 over 24 months – and offers 3GB of data, unlimited talk within Australia, up to 150 international minutes, and unlimited text to standard national and international numbers within selected countries.

$93 per month – total $2,232 over 24 months – gets customers 6GB of data, unlimited talk within Australia, up to 300 international minutes, and unlimited text to standard national and international numbers within selected countries.

$107 per month – total $2,568 over 24 months – gets customers 10GB of data with a 2 GB bonus, totalling 12GB, unlimited talk within Australia, up to 400 international minutes, and unlimited text to standard national and international numbers within selected countries.

The top plan, costing $135 per month – total $3,240 over 24 months – gets customers 16GB of data with a 4GB bonus, totalling 20GB, unlimited talk within Australia, up to 500 international minutes, and unlimited text to standard national and international numbers within selected countries. Customers also receive a bonus 10 days Optus Travel Packs, meaning jet-setting customers can receive unlimited talk and text plus 50MB of data per day in over 90 countries.

Vodafone

Vodafone customers can also pick up the 64GB iPhone 6S in each of the four colours on one of five plans.

Voda's cheapest plan costs $87 per month ($40 for the plan and $47 for the phone) and for that customers receive 1GB of data, infinite standard national calls, and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas. The total cost is $2,088 over 24 months.

The second Vodafone plan offers triple the data for just $3 more per month. Costing $90 each month ($60 for the plan and $30 for the phone), customers receive 3GB of data, unlimited standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $2,160.

$95 per month ($80 for the plan and $15 for the handset) sees customers receive 8GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $2,280 over 24 months.

$108 per month ($100 plan + $8 handset) earns customers 12GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite standard text here and to overseas, and 120 standard international minutes to selected countries. The total cost of the plan over 24 months is $2,592.

Paying $130 per month (the plan includes the phone) delivers 20GB worth of data. As you'd expect, it also comes with infinite standard national calls and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas, as well as 120 standard international minutes to selected countries.The total cost over 24 months is $3,120.

Strangely this last 64GB plan is exactly the same price as the equivalent for the 16GB handset. So if you're a Voda-fan the best choice is obviously the 64GB handset.

Virgin Mobile

Like its 16GB offering, Virgin Mobile has the widest range of plans for the 64GB iPhone 6S. It also has all four finishes on offer.

The opening plan costs $67 per month ($30 for the plan and $37 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,608 over 24 months. For that, customers receive $300 worth of standard national calls and texts and 300MB of data.

The next plan costs $79 per month ($40 for the plan and $39 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,896 over 24 months. Customers receive $450 worth of standard national calls and SMS, as well as 1GB of data.

Virgin's next plan is only $1 more per month, costing $80 ($50 for the plan and $30 for the phone) and totalling $1,920 over 24 months. This plan offers customers $500 worth of standard national calls and SMS, and 2GB of data.

$88 per month ($60 for the plan and $28 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,112 over 24 months, gets customers unlimited calls and text within Australia and 4GB of data.

$90 per month ($70 for the plan and $20 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,160 over 24 months, sees customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, with 6GB worth of data.

For $93 per month ($80 for the plan and $13 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,232 over 24 months, customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, and 9GB worth of data.

Virgin's top plan costs $100 per month ($100 for the plan and $0 for the phone) – totalling $2,400 over 24 months – offers customers unlimited calls and text within Australia, along with 13GB of data. Again, this matches the top plan for the 16GB handset, so customers should go for the 64GB option wherever possible.

128GB iPhone 6S

Telstra

Like the 16GB and 64GB models, Telstra has four plans for the 128GB iPhone 6S, and has all four colours available.

Pricing starts at $102 per month for Telstra's S plan. The total cost for this is $2,448 over 24 months and scores customers 1GB of data and $550 worth of talk.

The M plan ups the cost to $109 per month, which adds up to $2,616 over 24 months. For this, customers receive 2.5GB of data and $1,000 worth of talk.

The L plan costs $122 per moth – total $2,928 over 24 months – and offers 6GB plus a 1GB bonus for a total of 7GB of data, along with unlimited talk.

Optus

Optus has all four finishes of the 128GB iPhone 6S available on five different plans.

The entry plan costs $85 per month ($40 for the plan and $45 for the handset) and for that customers receive 500MB of data, unlimited talk to standard Australian numbers, and unlimited text to standard Australian and selected international numbers. The total cost over 24 months is $2.040.

Optus' second plan costs $94 per month ($60 for the plan and $34 for the handset), and for that customers receive 3GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and up to 150 minutes of international calls. The total cost is $2,256.

Next up is the Optus $101 plan ($80 for the plan and $21 for the handset). Customers receive 6GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and 300 minutes of international calls. Total cost is $2,424.

Heavier data users can select the $113 plan ($100 for the plan and $13 for the phone), which offers 10GB plus an additional 2GB, totalling 12GB of data. Customers also receive unlimited talk and text, as well as 400 minutes of international calls for a total of $2,712 over 24 months.

Optus' top plan costs $141 per month ($135 for the plan and $6 for the phone), and comes with 16GB plus a bonus 4GB for a data total of 20GB. It includes unlimited talk and text, and 500 minutes of international calls. It also comes with a bonus 10 days Optus Travel Packs,meaning customers can receive unlimited talk and text plus 50MB of data per day in over 90 countries when travelling. This costs $3,384 over 24 months.

Vodafone

Vodafone customers can also pick up the 128GB iPhone 6S in each of the four colours on one of five plans.

Voda's cheapest plan costs $93 per month ($40 for the plan and $53 for the phone) and for that customers receive 1GB of data, infinite standard national calls, and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas. The total cost is $2,232 over 24 months.

The second Vodafone plan offers triple the data $96 per month ($60 for the plan and $36 for the phone). Customers receive 3GB of data, unlimited standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $2,304.

$103 per month ($80 for the plan and $23 for the handset) sees customers receive 8GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite text within Australia and overseas, and 120 standard international minutes. Total cost is $2,472 over 24 months.

$115 per month ($100 plan + $15 handset) earns customers 12GB of data, infinite standard national calls, infinite standard text here and to overseas, and 120 standard international minutes to selected countries. The total cost of the plan over 24 months is $2,760.

Paying $134 per month ($130 for the plan and $4 for the phone) delivers 20GB worth of data. As you'd expect, it also comes with infinite standard national calls and infinite standard text to Australia and overseas, as well as 120 standard international minutes to selected countries.The total cost over 24 months is $3,216.

Virgin Mobile

Like its 16GB and 64GB offerings, Virgin Mobile has a total of seven plans for the 128GB iPhone 6S, with all four finishes available.

The opening plan costs $73 per month ($30 for the plan and $43 for the phone), with a total cost of $1,752 over 24 months. For that, customers receive $300 worth of standard national calls and texts and 300MB of data.

The next plan costs $85 per month ($40 for the plan and $45 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,040 over 24 months. Customers receive $450 worth of standard national calls and SMS, as well as 1GB of data.

For only $1 more per month, Virgin customers can double their data. Costing $86 per month ($50 for the plan and $36 for the phone) and totalling $2,064 over 24 months, customers will receive $500 worth of standard national calls and SMS, and 2GB of data.

$94 per month ($60 for the plan and $34 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,256 over 24 months, gets customers unlimited calls and text within Australia and 4GB of data.

$96 per month ($70 for the plan and $26 for the phone), totalling $2,304 over 24 months, sees customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, with 6GB worth of data.

For $99 per month ($80 for the plan and $19 for the phone), with a total cost of $2,376 over 24 months, customers receive unlimited calls and text in Australia, and 9GB worth of data.

Virgin's top plan costs $106 per month ($100 for the plan and $6 for the phone), and totals $2,544 over 24 months. For this, customers receive unlimited calls and text within Australia, along with 13GB of data.