General News
5 August, 2024
Check your device! 3G shutdown soon
Australian mobile network carriers Telstra and Optus will begin their planned closing of national 3G networks in the coming months.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has urgently warned all Australians to act now and upgrade their 3G mobile device if they have not yet done so.
Australian mobile network carriers Telstra and Optus will begin their planned closing of national 3G networks to make room for modern 4G and 5G networks
Telstra will begin closing their 3G networks on August 31 (https://www.telstra.com.au/support/mobiles-devices/3g-closure).
Optus will be closing their 3G networks on September 1 (https://www.optus.com.au/connected/leaders-insights/3g-shutdown-keeping-you-connected).
Internationally, 3G networks have already begun to be shut off.
In the US, major national mobile carriers Verizon and T-Mobile shut down their 3G services in early 2022.
The UK has begun flipping the switch on their older generation networks early this year, and mobile carriers have agreed to switch entirely to 5G or later by 2033.
Telstra and Optus will be the latest to begin this process; Telstra originally discussed closing 3G in October 2019 and planned for June 30 2024, however it was pushed back to allow people more time to upgrade their devices.
To help Australians identify whether they are at risk, AMTA has developed a web-based tool called ‘Check My Device’, which determines whether a phone will be fully supported on mobile networks after 3G closes, including the ability to make emergency calls.
AMTA CEO Louise Hyland said it is important that Australians act now, especially if people have an older mobile device, and they have not already upgraded.
“Devices that use the 3G network for voice services will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to Triple Zero, once Australia’s 3G networks are fully inactive,” she said.
“The telco industry does not want to leave anyone behind and that is why we are working hard to ensure customers, particularly in regional areas, are not left without a working service.”
The Check My Device tool can be accessed from the AMTA website (https://amta.org.au/3g-closure/check-my-device/). It makes use of a mobile phones on-board IMEI number, a unique 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity Number, which identifies the make and model of the mobile device, to determine if it will be supported on all three Australian mobile networks once 3G closes.
Alternatively, customers of Telstra and Optus can text '3' to '3498' to receive a fast and automated compatibility check.
Telstra customers can call 1800 305 307 for support regarding their mobile devices.
Optus customers can call 1300 219 070 for support regarding their mobile devices.
