Need to know
- Australia's mobile network operators are shutting down their 3G services
- Some phones revert to 3G when calling 000, meaning you could be left without connection in an emergency
- Use one of the telco industry's free tools to see if your phone will be affected
After more than 20 years, one of Australia's legacy mobile networks is being shut down to make space for better and faster connections.
But with most of us relying on 4G or 5G for day-to-day phone needs, will you even notice your telco pulling the plug on 3G?
Well, you might, and perhaps at the worst possible moment.
A curious function hidden within thousands of devices means that without 3G, you'll have no service when you dial 000.
Consumer advocates and the federal government say this could have "catastrophic" consequences for some and are urging Australians to check they won't be caught out.
On this page:
- What is the 3G network shutdown?
- How you could be affected
- How to check if your phone will be impacted
- What to do if you're losing service
What is the 3G network shutdown?
Australia's three mobile network operators, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, have switched off, or are about to switch off, their 3G networks.
As its name suggests, 3G was the third generation of mobile cellular technology and has been connecting Australians since Telstra set up the first service here back in 2002.
3G was the first generation of mobile service that allowed our phones to do many of the things we now take for granted, such as browsing the internet and social media.
"[It] really provided us with the first network focused on providing not just voice, but also data," explains Mark Gregory, associate professor in the school of engineering at RMIT.
When is 3G being turned off?
Vodafone/TPG has already shut down its 3G service, with the network switched off in December last year.
Australia's largest and oldest mobile network, Telstra originally planned to turn off its 3G service on June 30 this year, but delayed it until August 31 to help consumers prepare.
Optus will be the last telco to start shutting down its 3G after September 1.
3G mobile networks are being turned off across Australia and some consumers will be affected.
Why is it being shut down?
Experts say our appetite for better and faster service is driving telco decisions to leave 3G behind.
"Consumers expect more of their mobile connection," says Carol Bennett, CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
"That's the reality with social media, working from home and the video on-demand content that people want to access."
But rolling out slicker services such as 5G requires telcos to use up more of the mobile 'spectrum' they lease from the government and the limited amount available means they can't run too many services at once.
"They want [that] spectrum for new technology," says Gregory. "[They] take that spectrum that's available in 3G and re-farm it and use it for 5G."
The current 3G shutdown is just the latest round of 're-farming'. In 2016, Telstra turned off its 2G service to make way for 4G.
How you could be affected
If your device only uses 3G, it will lose connection when the network is shut down.
Anyone using an old phone that only connects to 3G will no longer be able to make or receive calls or SMS messages, or use the internet once their service is turned off.
Devices such as personal alarms and EFTPOS machines of a similar age that connect over a mobile network may also stop working.
But even if your phone currently uses 4G, the shutdown of its predecessor could still affect you.
This is because some older phones that support 4G, or models bought from overseas, default to 3G when the user dials 000.
"It's a really serious issue," says Bennett. "People might think that they will continue to have [triple zero] access that they won't have … in an emergency situation, that can be catastrophic."
Some older phones that support 4G or models bought from overseas default to 3G when the user dials 000
The federal government is also sounding the alarm, estimating that around 283,000 devices with the potentially fatal configuration could be circulating in Australia.
"These devices will appear to work normally after the switchover, until Australians can least afford to realise there is an issue," said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in a statement urging people to check if their phone will be affected.
Those on Telstra or Optus networks can use an SMS tool to see if their phone is affected.
How to check if your phone will be impacted
Telcos have been reaching out to people they believe will be affected by the 3G shutdowns, but there are steps you can take now to check your phone won't lose triple zero access.
Telstra and Optus customers or anyone using those networks can text '3' to '3498' and the service will automatically respond with advice about their handset.
You can also visit www.3gclosure.com.au, click on "Check your mobile phone" and enter your phone's 15-digit IMEI number to check that it will continue to work normally.
Instructions on how to find your device's IMEI number are also on the page.
If you've got a non-phone device that you believe may be affected, contact the manufacturer for advice.
You can also check your device on the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) website.
What to do if you're losing service
If your device is going to be impacted by the 3G switch off, now's the time for an upgrade.
Check out our smartphone buying guide for expert tips on choosing a new phone and our latest review to compare the best performing models.
We also have reviews and advice for phones for older Australians or people with cognitive difficulties.
For guidance on replacing other devices, see our other gadget reviews.
If you can't afford a new phone, contact your telco for help or look for secondhand options on sites such as Reebelo.
Telstra is providing 12,000 free devices to ensure customers in financial hardship or recovering from a natural disaster can stay connected.
Telstra is providing 12,000 free devices to ensure customers in financial hardship or recovering from a natural disaster can stay connected
Meanwhile, Optus says customers who don't have the money for an upgrade should call its dedicated 3G team on 1300 219 070.
Once you've got a new phone, it's a good idea to keep track of your old one and ensure it isn't handed down or sold, potentially leaving someone else without connection when they need it most.
See our guide on how to recycle your phone and electronics to make sure your devices get a sustainable send-off.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
