Telstra - connecting to the wrong network?

[Easy_J]

long time viewer, first time poster.

I'm having a weird issue where my phone seems to connecting to the "3" network. I'm currently with Telstra and would have guessed I would connect to the 3Telstra network. My friend who has the exact same BB (purchased at the same time) connects to the 3Telstra network

Can noticeably see the differences in service and had no resolution from anyone at Telstra. Admittedly I did get this 9700 Bold from Europe, however it's the exact same as my friends so I would assume they would work the same.

I can't see the 3Telstra network when I do a manual scan. Has this happened to anyone else?

Any suggestions on how I could rectify this issue?

Telstra support were not that helpful. They did manage to disable my bes attempting to help. It's enabled again now

[Orange UK]

Telstra 3G uses 850mhz (NextG) & 3Telstra is a joint 2100mhz 3G venture from when 3AU was not part Vodafone Hutchison Australia....interestingly the 3/Voda merger did not through Voda's wholelly owned 3G 2100 mhz sites or its joint venture 3G 2100 mhz with Optus into the pot.

Your are on 3GIS - 3G 2100mhz owned 50% by Telstra & 3AU ( 3AU 50% now 100% owned by VHA).

When Next G signal is unavailable or poor, preference is 3GIS 2100mhz 3G speeds over 2G/2.5G(EDGE) Telstra.