Telstra and Optus to switch off 3G network within days

Australia’s two biggest telecoms giants will switch off their 3G services within days – a move that will leave tens of thousands of Australians in the lurch as their phones are effectively rendered useless.

The mobile shutdown began late last year when Vodafone became the first telecom provider to switch off its 3G network.

Telstra and Optus will follow suit and close their networks by October 28.

There are still 740,000 devices across the country that need to be ported over, or rendered unusable, before the deadline – because some combination of these devices are older or made overseas.

Based on recent estimates, there are approximately 59,000 devices across Australia that need to be updated in the coming week.

There are handsets in Australia that rely solely on the 3G network for voice calling, with these handsets unable to make calls when the switch to 4G occurs.

One customer Madeleine, who uses a four-year-old iPhone 11 with the Amaysim network, was given just eleven days’ notice to upgrade her device.

She said the messages from her telco sounded like she simply had to change her plans.

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.

To see if your device is one of the affected phones, text the number 3 to 3498 from the device you think is affected.

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.

Optus head of new products Harvey Wright told NewsWire that the telco had sent more than 10 million messages to affected customers in their base, including guidance on how to get support throughout the process.

“To maintain connectivity, customers must purchase a compatible device. We offer these customers a range of different options,” he said.

Optus has sent more than 10 million messages to affected customers with instructions on how to get support during the disconnection process (stock image)

“We recognize that we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, so we are offering customers a range of competitively priced and zero-cost devices to help with that upgrade process,” Mr Wright said.

Telstra was also contacted by NCA Newswire but did not respond.

Companies warned to check their devices

It will not only be mobile devices that are affected, but also other important devices that use the 3G network.

Mr Wright said while the upgrade would help improve reliability, capacity and speed in Australia, it would not just be mobile devices that would be affected, but potentially other devices such as tablets and dongles.

Customers may be using a device that: Still relies on 3G, a 4G device that uses 3G for emergency calling, or an overseas or gray market device that is not compatible with Australian 4G technology

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.