The short version
Key points
- An industry working group found that more than 740,000 devices could not make emergency calls if 3G were switched off.
- The estimate later increased to more than one million devices in the community.
- Some older 4G phones rely on 3G because they do not support voice over LTE for emergency calls.
- The shutdown dates discussed were December 2023 for TPG, 30 June 2024 for Telstra and September 2024 for Optus.
- Telstra customers can text 3GXT to 3498 to check whether their device is compatible beyond 3G, according to the video.
Why the 3G shutdown matters
Australia’s 3G networks are about 20 years old, and the mobile operators want to close them to create more capacity for 4G and 5G services. Most mobile users now use those newer networks, which carry substantially more data.
However, the older network is still used by a large number of devices, particularly in regional areas. The issue is not limited to whether a device can access mobile data. Some equipment may also depend on 3G to make voice calls, including calls to emergency services.
More than one million devices identified
Telstra had estimated that 113,000 devices on its network were still using 3G and had not been upgraded. Optus, Vodafone and other telcos had not provided comparable figures at the time covered by the video.
A government mobile industry working group, established by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in March 2024, initially found that about 740,000 devices would be unable to call emergency services after 3G was switched off. The working group subsequently indicated that the figure had risen to more than one million devices.
Some 4G phones are also affected
The problem is not restricted to handsets that only support 3G. Some older phones display 4G connectivity but do not support voice over LTE. When a voice call is placed, including an emergency call, these devices can fall back to 3G.
If 3G is unavailable, these phones may not be able to complete the call. The report says this is particularly concerning in regional areas, where emergency response times and mobile coverage can be important factors.
Medical and safety equipment may need upgrades
The shutdown may also affect medical devices and home safety equipment that use 3G modems. The video refers to devices used for the safety of older people, noting that these systems may not be upgraded quickly and that replacing their mobile connectivity hardware can be expensive.
For people who use equipment for calls or safety monitoring, checking compatibility is therefore important. A device may not be used for general internet access, but it could still depend on 3G for communication with people or emergency services.
Shutdown dates and customer checks
The video states that TPG had already switched off its 3G network in December 2023. Telstra was scheduled to close its 3G network on 30 June 2024, while Optus was expected to shut down its network in September 2024.
Telstra said it would send information and messages to affected customers. The video also gives a Telstra compatibility check: customers can text 3GXT to 3498 from their device to check whether it remains compatible beyond 3G. This check is specifically for Telstra customers.
TechManPat’s conclusion
I think the number of potentially affected devices is concerning, especially in regional and remote areas and for people who may not be able to afford a replacement. Based on the information discussed in this report, I thought the 3G shutdown might be delayed for at least a little while, although that was my view at the time and not a confirmed change to the schedule.
This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.
