NEXT G mobile phone reception is improving but it would be better in rural areas if handsets could be plugged into external antennas.
The latest report into mobile phones by the Kondinin Group in conjunction with Choice magazine showed handsets had reception ranges of 32km to 41km.
In comparison, during the last study in 2006, some phones fell short of 30km in range.
Kondinin engineer Josh Giumelli said Kondinin tested 15 different handsets on the treeless plains near Oxley Downs, northeast of Balranald.
"Handset manufacturers have certainly lifted their game a bit," Mr Giumelli said.
"The Next G network is now superior than the old CDMA network in its footprint, although handsets could go further on a weak signal on CDMA - sometimes as far as 52km.
"But the reception is better now than four years ago."
Mr Giumelli said one disappointing feature of newer phones was the move to bluetooth technology meant many phones did not plug into car kits and, therefore, were unable to connect to exterior hard-wired antenna.
He said that also meant farmers could not get the extra range using an external antenna fitted to their vehicles.
Mr Giumelli said only the Telstra-branded phones and the Samsung 5220 had the ability to connect to an external antenna.
These phones did not have the best range when held by hand.
He would not disclose which phones had ranges of more than 40km.
Mr Giumelli said the Telstra T90 was the most rugged handset and would suit many farmers.
But it did not have great reception.
He said the major criticism of new handsets was the drift towards "smart" phones, where the buttons were on the screen.
"They are not as easy to use as a normal phone," he said.
"Blackberries have small keys, making them impossible for dialling."
Overall, Mr Giumelli said there had been a vast improvement in Next G handsets during the past four years.
