Telstra and Optus have decided not to delay the shutdown of their 3G services, despite warnings of potential risks to critical infrastructure, medical equipment, and individual customers.
A Telstra spokesperson noted that people had been given five years’ warning of the change.
Telstra’s network is scheduled to shut down on Aug. 31, a month later than its original June deadline, while Optus 3G plans to go dark in September. TPG/Vodafone ended its 3G service in January.
If the telcos reject this recommendation, they may face a declaration prohibiting the 3G closure until the Minister for Communications is satisfied that 4G coverage is equivalent to that of the older network and that a proper audit has been carried out.
The inquiry revealed that 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.
These could be cut off when the network shuts down, which might be the first warning users receive.
Optus stated it has sent 3.2 million messages to affected customers, but many devices do not receive texts.
The inquiry heard that as many as half a million devices could be in this category, with evidence from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network estimating that approximately 200,000 medical alert devices rely on the 3G mobile network and will need upgrading or replacing.
Even if consumers are aware their devices will fail when 3G stops operating, many—especially the elderly—face considerable unbudgeted expenses and lack of availability.
“Thousands of elderly Australians used their Home Care package funding to buy safety and senior-friendly communication devices such as monitored falls alarms, Opel SOS pendants, Zigee docks, Jablophones, Olitech seniors phones, and similar tech,” one submitter told the inquiry.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service said it was not just patient devices that were of concern.
“We’re also talking about security alarms, road ambulance tracking, and vehicle tracking for clinicians when they go into the bush so we can keep them safe,” said RFDS’s Executive General Manager, Ryan Klose.
“Fridges—we have cold chain pharmaceuticals sitting out there that need alerts as well—and backup generators because the stability of power is also challenging out there.”
Another issue involves phones nominally on 4G but which make triple-zero calls on 3G because they are not enabled with a technology called Voice over LTE.
Many of these devices, often bought overseas or second-hand, may not have been flagged by sellers.
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 executive Andrew Sheridan acknowledged the concerns and said the company is working to mitigate public safety risks and had engaged with businesses that manage devices such as alarms.
“Optus will continue to provide high levels of support to our customers during the 3G switch-off through our dedicated teams and keeping device offers open,” Sheridan said.
A Telstra spokesperson also said the company had “a robust communication plan in place through to the closure date and have established processes to help customers who have yet to migrate after the closure.”
The Senate inquiry concluded that if Telstra or Optus do not voluntarily delay the shutdown, the Minister for Communications should mandate a delay through regulatory intervention.
