yet on the OZ phone dealers pages, the prices are around $799 and up.
Given that there is a difference between the US$ and the OZ$, it still
doesn't equate the almighty difference quoted.

Question arises:  Who is getting ripped off and why?
Also, Who is making all the money with the different prices?
Is it Apple?
Is it the phone retailers?
or is it the Government?
Or, is it a combination of the three?

Pricing differences between where the article is made and the selling price
in OZ have always been different, with OZ buyers having to pay for
transport, excise, taxes etc.
But, a difference of $700 for a piddly little black box is enormous and
unjustified.
And don't even try telling me that it requires different technology to adapt
the phone system to OZ conditions,
That can be done in the factory before any distribution

I seriously dont think you can compare based on the price alone. AT&T's
  "$99" offer needs a $30/month data service plus call plans plus test
etc etc. The amount you pay for usage is very large compared to the
purchase price. IMO the price is simply to sucker you into buying
something that looks cheap but isnt...

I have never price compared services US/Oz. One big diff is of course
that you pay to receive calls in the US. I assume that still isnt the
case in Oz.

If you want to compare prices, go into the AT&T website and plug in a
bogus zip code for a full price breakdown...

Oh and cell towers are a bit taller here.. and have a LOT of very thick
copper plate earthing. Strange to look at after Voda and Optus sites.

Cheers Bob W5/VK2YQA