The first high-speed mobile network, 3G, was launched in Australia in 2003.
But from today, all of its networks will have been switched off, impacting thousands of devices across the nation.
Here's what you need to know.
When is the 3G network closing in Australia?
From today.
Telstra and Optus are ending their 3G services on October 28.
Telstra says it will take about a week to complete the shutdown while Optus says it may take a couple of months.
Vodafone switched off its network between December 2023 and January 2024.
Who will be affected?
Mainly those who live in remote areas.
Here's more from ABC rural reporter David Claughton:
"The people who will be most affected are those who live in remote areas, outside of the existing 3G coverage area, who have been getting what is described by Telstra and Optus as "fortuitous" coverage."
So "fortuitous" coverage refers to people who are not on the official 3G map, but have gotten a signal anyway. It's these people who probably won't be able to get the 4G signal as it doesn't travel as far as 3G.
Telstra has committed to match the existing 3G coverage but not for people who are outside the coverage map.
While most people will be able to purchase a new phone that's compatible with 4/5G, these regional areas will have limited options — and they're pretty expensive e.g. satellite services.
Australian Consumer Carol Bennet says there's always been a concern about the level of mobile connectivity in the regions.
"This shutdown just adds another layer of that," Ms Bennet told ABC RN this morning.
"People are very concerned they may suddenly find they don't have connectivity to devices they wouldn't have even anticipated."
How do I know if my phone is 3G or 4G?
Customers on any network can SMS "3" to 3498 from the device you think might be affected.
Alternatively, you can enter your mobile phone's 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number into the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) tracker.
Telcos have been reaching out to affected customers individually in the lead up to the shutdown.
Telstra CEO Vicky Brady said they've been communicating to customers about the need to prepare and make the move for "almost five years".
"This has included multiple letters, bill messages, SMS, public awareness campaigns and advertising," Ms Brady said.
What phones will not work after a 3G shutdown?
If your phone was manufactured before 2019, it is likely to be impacted.
Here's what phones will likely stop working:
- 3G-only phones
- Those that need changes to the settings to connect to 4/5G
In July, Optus head of new products Harvey Wright said 176,000 3G phones were at risk of disconnection.
List of phones affected by 3G shutdown
Optus has put out a list of its 20 most-used devices that will be impacted. Here are some of them:
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 5
- Google Pixel 2 XL
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Oppo A57
- Doro 6520
'Grey phones' a big issue
Newer 4G/5G phones purchased or imported from an overseas retailer, otherwise known as grey phones, may also be affected.
This is because they're unable to work on Australia's Band 28 (700MHz).
So this may impact calls to triple-0.
What other devices could be affected?
Here are other 3G-reliant devices that could stop working:
- Mobile phone boosters used to improve reception in cars, caravans and farms
- Medical devices including fall alarms, cardio monitors and oxygen systems
- Smart watches
- EFTPOS terminals
- Security cameras
- Farm machinery
What can I do if my device is impacted?
You'll need to purchase a replacement that's compatible with the 4G or 5G networks and configured to support VoLTE for emergency calls.
VoLTE is a technology that allows voice calls to be transmitted over a 4G network.
You can also contact your telco and provider to upgrade your phone or device.
Why is the 3G network shutting down?
As technology advances, 3G usage has gradually declined across Australia.
So, all major telcos are shutting down their 3G networks to focus their efforts on boosting the capacity, speed and reliability of 4G and 5G networks.
Australia isn't the only country to switch off 3G.
Most 2G and 3G services in the US were phased out by the end of 2022 while China completed the majority of its shutdowns by late 2023.
