Act now: AMTA warns Aussies to upgrade before 3G shutdown

With just six weeks remaining before Telstra and Optus initiate the shutdown of their national 3G networks, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has issued an urgent warning for all Australians to upgrade their 3G mobile devices. The dismantling of 3G networks follows the global trend as customers migrate to faster 4G and 5G networks.

Telstra's 3G network is scheduled to close on 31st August 2024, and Optus will begin its phased 3G shutdown from September 2024. TPG Telecom’s Vodafone network has already shuttered its 3G services as of January 2024.

AMTA emphasised the critical importance of upgrading to ensure the continuity of essential services. “With just six weeks before Telstra closes and Optus begins to close its 3G network, it’s crucial to replace your device if you still have an older mobile that connects to a 3G network," explained Louise Hyland, CEO of AMTA. "There are also certain 4G devices that will not be able to make emergency calls to Triple 0 after all 3G networks close. Whether it’s your day-to-day mobile or one you keep in the drawer for an emergency, we encourage you to check all of your devices to ensure they will be supported once Australia’s 3G networks are switched off."

Once the 3G networks are entirely decommissioned, devices relying solely on 3G, along with some older 4G models, will lose the capability to make emergency calls to Triple 0, an essential service in emergency scenarios.

Australians can verify the compatibility of their mobile devices with 4G and 5G networks by texting ‘3’ to 3498. Additionally, the "Check my Device" tool is available at www.3Gclosure.com.au, which provides device status information and supports multiple languages, including Arabic, Greek, Hindi, and Mandarin.

Customers are also advised to liaise directly with their service providers to explore suitable upgrade options that meet their needs. Hyland added, “We strongly advise consumers who need to upgrade their handsets to purchase their device from reputable outlets or speak to their mobile service provider to discuss the best mobile option to suit their circumstances. If someone has already purchased a phone from overseas, they should use the Check My Device tool to ensure it will be fully supported once the 3G networks close down or contact their service provider immediately.”

AMTA has also cautioned against grey-market devices, stating that these may lack support for all Australian mobile frequency bands and may not facilitate features like 4G and 5G (VoLTE) emergency calling after the 3G networks have been decommissioned. Hyland cautioned, “It is important to note that while 3G networks are still in operation, those affected mobile devices will continue to connect to any available 3G network while in coverage to make emergency calls to Triple 0. However, once the 3G networks are fully closed, these phones cannot make emergency calls. It is crucial to act now if you know you have an older mobile device and haven’t already upgraded.

For consumers looking to dispose of outdated or unsupported devices, AMTA recommends recycling them through MobileMuster, the official recycling scheme of the Australian mobile telecommunications industry. The scheme promotes responsible product stewardship and sustainability.

Further details about the 3G network closures and the MobileMuster recycling programme are available at www.3Gclosure.com.au or on the respective mobile network operator websites.