Telstra and Optus switch off 3G: All the phones impacted – and 4G devices and iPads will NOT be spared

In just a few days, Australia’s two biggest telcos will switch off their 3G data networks, but thousands of Australians may be unprepared for the switch.

Telstra and Optus will switch off their 3G – or third generation – data networks on October 28, following Vodafone/TPG Telecom, which scrapped their networks last year.

3G has been made virtually obsolete by higher capacity 4G and 5G networks used in newer phones.

However, a federal government estimate last year suggested millions of Australian devices could still be connected to 3G networks.

In addition, some ‘4G’ devices will also be affected and will no longer be able to call emergency services, as some of these phones still rely on the 3G network to make calls.

So which devices will be affected? Daily Mail Australia takes a look below.

Devices affected

Older generations of phones from leading manufacturers, including Samsung and Apple, will need to be upgraded.

Apple’s iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C and 5S will all need to be replaced to maintain connectivity.

This also applies to a number of Samsung’s Galaxy phones, including versions of the J1, J1 Mini, J3, Galaxy Core Prime and the Galaxy S5.

Samsung Galaxy S8 models will probably no longer be able to make emergency calls after being turned off.

The LGPixel 2 XL will also be affected. Variants of the Apple iPhone 6 require an update to continue making emergency calls.

A number of home and workplace technologies also use the network, including security systems, tablets, medical alert devices, EFTPOS machines and smartwatches.

Some early generations of iPads will also be affected, as well as several models of Huawei internet modems.

Older phones will need to be upgraded as the country’s two largest telecoms shut down their 3G networks

The government previously said that around 740,000 4G phones will no longer be able to make triple zero calls after the shutdown.

A number of 4G phones rely on the 3G network for voice calls, but ‘4G LTE’ phones do not work and will continue to do so.

Campaigns from both major telecom companies have resulted in a majority of customers upgrading their devices.

But current estimates suggest there could still be as many as 150,000 3G-dependent devices on the Optus network alone.

Customer Madelaine, who uses a four-year-old iPhone 11 on the Amaysim network, said she was given just 11 days’ notice to upgrade her device.

As part of the upgrade, she must buy a new phone or risk losing the ability to call, text or use the internet on her device.

‘I was so frustrated when I found out I had to buy a new phone. My current phone, despite being four years old, works fine and I don’t have the budget to spend $1000+ on a new one, so it’s really going to put a dent in my savings,” Madeline said.

Customers must text ‘3G’ to phone number ‘3498’ to receive an automatic response confirming the status of their individual device.

One customer found she needed to upgrade even though she had a newer phone. Customers can text 3G to 3498 to receive automatic confirmation of their device’s continued compatibility

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the move to 4G and 5G would increase the data capacity, speed and capabilities of Australia’s mobile network.

‘This means better mobile quality, less congestion on the networks and a better experience across the country, including for our regions. This will make a real difference to households and businesses who are using more connected devices than ever,” Rowland said.

Small and Family Business Ombudsman Bruce Billson warned businesses to check their systems before October 28.

“Many of us don’t realize that there is a huge amount of technology and equipment we use every day that is made possible by 3G as a wireless communications link and that it will no longer work when the system is switched off later this month unless it is upgraded.” said Mr. Billson.

He said more could be done by telecommunications companies and technology manufacturers and suppliers to improve awareness and action among small businesses, to identify those unknowingly using 3G, and to explain the broad impacts and options to improve their equipment upgrade or replace as soon as possible.

‘Don’t risk getting caught. Please check the functionality of your technology so you are not a 3G victim,” Billson said.