The short version
Key points
- Some 4G and 5G phones may rely on 2G or 3G to make emergency calls, even when ordinary VoLTE calling works.
- Compatibility depends on the phone, its firmware, the mobile provider, regional VoLTE profiles and network interconnection.
- Telstra and Optus moved their 3G shutdown date to 28 October 2024, while Vodafone completed its shutdown in early January 2024.
- From 1 November 2024, providers will be required to identify and restrict service to devices they believe cannot access Triple Zero.
- A phone’s VoLTE setting, network signal or SMS test may not prove that it can make a 4G emergency call.
Why a 4G phone can be affected
Voice over LTE, or VoLTE, allows compatible phones to make calls over a 4G LTE network. However, successful VoLTE calling requires cooperation between the handset, its firmware, the mobile provider, the relevant VoLTE profile and the network connections between providers.
Some phones marketed as VoLTE capable can make ordinary calls over 4G but still use 2G or 3G when an emergency number is dialled. Other devices may not have the correct profile for the Australian network or for the particular provider being used. When 3G is switched off, those emergency calls may no longer connect.
The problem is difficult to check
The transcript highlights that a phone can show VoLTE as active and appear to have a strong network connection without being able to complete a 4G call to emergency services. A notification such as ‘emergency calls only’ also does not prove that the handset can make an emergency call over 4G LTE.
Compatibility can also vary between countries and providers. Overseas handsets are particularly affected, although locally sold devices may also have limitations. A phone that works with one SIM or telco may not work after changing to another provider if the required VoLTE profile is not available.
Shutdown dates and affected devices
The 3G shutdown was initially planned for 2024, but delays followed concerns about the number of 4G and 5G devices that could not call emergency services without a 2G or 3G network. The transcript says the estimated number of affected 4G VoLTE-enabled phones rose from more than 740,000 in March 2024 to more than one million in April 2024.
Vodafone completed its 3G shutdown in early January 2024. Telstra initially planned to switch off its network around 30 June, then moved the date to 31 August. Telstra and Optus later extended the date to 28 October 2024. The discussion also warns that some devices were still being sold despite the possibility that they would lose important functionality after the shutdown.
What changes from 1 November 2024
The transcript refers to an update to the Australian Communications and Media Authority emergency call service determination. From 1 November 2024, telecommunications providers will be required to identify mobile phones that cannot access Triple Zero, notify users and provide assistance where necessary to access an alternative handset.
Providers will also be required to stop providing service to affected devices, including preventing a prospective customer from obtaining service with one. This means a handset may still support some data or messaging functions but be blocked from mobile service because it cannot provide reliable emergency calling.
The discussion also notes that an SMS check sent to 3498 may not be completely accurate. Users should therefore avoid treating a single test, a VoLTE setting or normal calling performance as definitive proof of emergency-call compatibility.
Why this matters
The central concern is not simply whether a phone can call friends or use mobile data. It is whether the handset can reliably contact emergency services after the 3G network is removed. Devices bought overseas, older handsets and phones moved between providers may require particular caution.
The change may also create electronic waste if people need to replace relatively recent phones. The transcript specifically raises the possibility that some United States-sourced iPhone 12 models could be unsuitable in Australia, although compatibility depends on the device and network configuration.
TechManPat’s conclusion
I think blocking phones that cannot call Triple Zero is understandable because emergency access is critical, but the transition needs clear information and reliable testing. I am concerned that users may discover the problem only when they change providers or face an emergency, and I think affected customers should contact their telco and local member, including Michelle Rowland, to raise their concerns.
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.
