Telstra and Optus will further delay the closure of their 3G networks until the end of October after a parliamentary inquiry earlier this month urged them to do so.
Telstra had originally scheduled the shutdown for Aug. 31, two months later than its original June deadline, while Optus 3G planned to switch off in September. TPG/Vodafone ended its 3G service in January.
But they relented today, saying in a joint statement that 3G network closures would now start from Oct. 28.
A Senate inquiry, which released an interim report on Aug. 1, found many customers might not realise their devices relied on 3G—not just mobile phones but also critical medical equipment, such as cardiac monitors and medical alarms, fire alarms, EFTPOS machines, and even waste and water infrastructure.
It warned that if the telcos did not agree to a pause, they may be made subject to a declaration prohibiting the 3G closure until the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland was satisfied that 4G coverage is equivalent to that of the older network and that a proper audit has been carried out.
Both Telstra and Optus said the extension would be used “to execute one last push for mass public awareness of the impending closures.”
Some 4G Phones Will Lose the Ability to Call Triple-0
The largest single category of devices likely to be affected are phones, often bought overseas or secondhand, that are nominally on 4G but make triple-zero calls on 3G because they are not enabled with Voice over LTE.While consumers can test which network their phone is on by texting “3” to 3498, these phones may still verify as being on 4G, leaving owners unaware if their device is affected.
The inquiry estimated around 300,000 such devices are in circulation.
Optus interim CEO Michael Venter said today that the company “has pulled out all the stops to guide a small number of our customers impacted by the 3G switch-off through the process of updating their device” and that “the majority” now had, but that one final campaign would focus on getting “the final groups of consumers to act.”
However, both telcos warned that past experience demonstrated that some customers would always fail to make the necessary changes.
“Sometimes the actual closure is the only motivation that works,” they said.
Phones that fall into the category of being nominally on 4G but unable to make emergency calls without 3G include the following (as well as older variants): iPhone 6, Galaxy S7 and S8, and Google Pixel.
Representatives for both telcos said Telstra had given away over 12,000 phones and Optus some 20,000 to make the transition away from 3G smoother. Optus also offers postpaid customers a $400 credit to encourage them to upgrade.
Other devices potentially affected include medical monitors, security cameras, and EFTPOS machines that may still rely on 3G.
