Telstra has announced a delay in the shutdown of its 3G network due to concerns that hundreds of thousands of Australians could be in danger of being unable to make emergency calls once the network is switched off. The delay comes following feedback from customers who need more time to upgrade their handsets before the network closure. There are still over 200,000 Telstra customers using 3G-only mobile phones that will become obsolete after the shutdown, along with some older 4G phones that may not support emergency calls properly.
The Australian government has been involved in the transition process, with a working group consisting of Telstra, Optus, TPG, and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) to oversee the 3G shutdown and report regularly to the Communications Minister. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on emergency services, especially with a subset of 4G handsets that default to 3G for triple-0 calls, potentially leaving users unaware of any issues until they are in an emergency situation. Telstra has assured that it will not shut down its 3G network until equivalent 4G coverage is in place, particularly important for rural and regional areas with limited phone and internet coverage.
The decision to delay the 3G network closure was met with criticism from Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman, who blamed the delay on the handling of the shutdown by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. The shutdown of the 3G network was initially proposed in 2019 to pave the way for enhanced capacity and data speeds for 4G and 5G technologies. Telstra, Optus, and TPG have been actively encouraging customers to upgrade their devices, with Telstra even providing a service for customers to check the compatibility of their handsets with the new networks. Various devices such as medical alarms and EFTPOS machines could also be affected by the network closures, prompting the need for users to upgrade to 4G or 5G devices to ensure seamless communication.
Telstra aims to achieve 4G equivalence before the deadline and has been communicating with customers to prompt them to upgrade their devices accordingly. The delays in the 3G closure have highlighted the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for all users, especially those in rural and regional areas who rely on this network for communication. The government's involvement in overseeing the shutdown process and the collaboration between companies and industry associations are crucial in managing the switch to newer technologies to ensure that Australians can continue to communicate effectively with upgraded devices.