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Twenty years after the 3G mobile phone and data network was rolled out across Australia, it has reached the end of its life cycle.
From December, the major telecom companies will switch off their 3G networks: Vodafone on December 15, then Telstra on June 30, 2024 and finally Optus in September.
If you bought your device in recent years, chances are you are connected to the current generation 5G network. Even 4G handsets can get the job done, but only occasionally hit a cellular issue.
But for those of us still walking around with phones and devices from the early 2000s, you might be wondering what the change will mean for you and your less-than-current tech gadgets.
Twenty years since the 3G mobile phone and data network was rolled out across Australia, it has reached the end of its life cycle
WHAT IS 3G?
The 3G mobile network is the third generation of global telecommunications networks.
A new generation is released approximately every ten years, hence 3G has since been replaced by 4G and 4G was surpassed by the current 5G network – all dating back to the original 1G analog network dating back to the early 1980s.
If you want to get technical, 3G networks transfer information at a minimum speed of 144 kilobits per second (kbit/s), 4G is 30 megabits per second (Mbit/s), and 5G is 50 Mbit/s.
5G started rolling out in 2019, so any 6G technology is still in its infancy.
As new technologies come online, the old networks are repurposed to help support the newer networks in a process called re-farming.
From December, the major telecom companies will switch off their 3G networks: Vodafone on December 15, then Telstra on June 30, 2024, and finally Optus in September (pictured, Keanu Reeves in the Matrix, with the actor using a Nokia 8110)
HOW MANY DEVICES STILL USE 3G?
Sales director at M2M connectivity Anthony Petts told TelcoNews in February that he estimates there are still between two and three million devices in Australia that rely on the 3G network.
“The reality of the 3G shutdown is that once the signal is turned off, all 3G-based services and devices will cease to work,” said Mr Petts.
“This includes flood monitoring systems in regional Australia, GPS systems on ambulances, man-down dongles in care homes and even traffic signal systems.”
This means that some companies will have to switch before their preferred telecom company shuts down their 3G network.
But it also means millions of Australians who haven’t opted for a device upgrade in nearly two decades may finally have to bite the bullet and go for a new 5G device.
Sales director at M2M connectivity Anthony Petts told TelcoNews in February that he estimates there are still between two and three million devices in Australia that rely on the 3G network
DO I HAVE TO WORRY?
Editor and technical commentator for EFTM.com, Trevor Long, says no one should worry who has bought a phone in the past five years.
“The greater risk is for people with extremely old phones, which — despite 5G being five years old and 4G already a decade older — don’t even connect to 4G,” Long says.
So if you’re concerned about your old flip phone, candy bar phone, or first-generation smartphone, the best way to find out is to contact the manufacturer directly.
The closure is probably most concerning for those using medical devices that still use the 3G network, with Mr Long saying it poses a major risk to ‘connected medical devices’.
“Not just because they might be old devices,” he says, “but even more recent devices that were sold as recently as five years ago might not have had 4G capabilities.
“So there’s a risk that people will think this doesn’t apply to them because they only got the device five years ago, but in fact they could be left with a device that will simply no longer be at the most important point in a year’s time.” works. .’
Again, the best thing to do is to contact the manufacturer to see if your connected medical device is affected and if they can offer an alternative.
Vodafone is the first telecom provider to shut down its 3G network. A page on their website contains information for customers and says these closures have happened before, for example when the 2G network was rebuilt
WHAT DO THE TELCOS SAY?
Vodafone is the first telecom provider to shut down its 3G network. a page on their website has information for customers and says that these closures have happened before, for example when the 2G network was redesigned.
“Vodafone’s license to access the 3G spectrum (the invisible electromagnetic frequencies that transmit mobile data) expires in mid-2024,” Vodafone said in a statement.
“While most customers rarely need access to 3G, we want to make sure customers receive proper notice and provide support to those who need assistance.”
Australia’s largest telecommunications company, Telstra, cut its 3G coverage on June 30.
As customers transition from 3G to take advantage of newer technology, we will re-purpose the 850MHz spectrum currently used to provide 3G coverage to support our 5G rollout. Telstra’s own information page about the closure.
TELEPHONE/INTERNET COMPLAINTS
But they also admit that some wearable devices, such as Apple Watch Series 3, 4, 5, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active2, may see a reduced number of service areas.
And optus follows suit in September 2024going so far as to contact customers they believe will be affected by the 3G shutdown.
Your telecom company can also help if your switch from 3G is as simple as changing some settings on your device, which it will in some cases.