Fact check: Is the 3G Network Shutdown In Australia? What you need to know

The public is seeking online information about Australia’s 3G network because it is closing, which is the topic of this discussion. Years of phone coverage have made it a feature, but in a year, all of Australia’s 3G networks will be turned off. It is anticipated that millions of devices around the country will be impacted by the shutdown, which will start in December of this year. What you need to understand about it is this.

Is the 3G Network Shutdown In Australia?

The gradual shutdown of Australia’s 3G networks will start in December. On December 15, Vodafone will be the first company to shut down its network. After Optus, all of Telstra’s 3G services will be discontinued on September 30, 2024, with all of Telstra’s 3G services terminating on June 30, 2024. While the precise number of individuals who will be impacted by the shutdown is unknown, a previous estimate estimated the number of 3G-compatible devices in Australia at roughly 3 million, most of which are older models that have been in use for at least five or six years.

After the shutdown, they will all cease to function. These consist of cell phones, devices, automobiles, tablets, and security cameras. Medical alarms are thought to make up 200,000 of such gadgets, which is alarming. “An elder or another individual with a weakness who depends on that alarm for a crisis reaction simply will not receive one,” said David Waldie from the medical alarm business Eevi. There are some worries that turning down the 3G network could lessen cell coverage in rural areas where 4G and 5G are not yet available. Before the suspension, Telstra announced it would provide 4G coverage in all 3G locations. While Vodafone stated that its 4G coverage is “similar in size” to its 3G service, Optus has not made any such claim on its website.

The manufacturer should be contacted in order to learn whether a product you own will be impacted by the shutdown. To avoid being caught off guard, Stephen Fenech from Tech Guide said, “Don’t put off checking that device; make sure you get to that as soon as possible.” You can also contact your phone service provider; Optus even released a list of the 20 most popular smartphones it supports that will be affected, which includes the iPhone 5, 5C, and 5S, the Google Pixel 2 XL, and the Samsung Galaxy S5. Customers are being contacted by some businesses, like Eevi, to ensure that they stay in touch.