There’s been a lot of speculation around the 3G network shutdown so we’ve been researching from various sources to possibly take any fears away from you if you’re searching for an elderly panic alarm. And here are our findings.

3G networks will be decommissioned in Australia, but there’s still time to make plans for the switch-off. So don’t panic!

Just as it happened with 2G network shutdown in Australia, the march of technology and mobile networks means that all three major Australian mobile networks are making plans to eventually shift away from 3G network technology.

What will the shutdown of 3G mean for you with your Personal Alert Device?

If you’re using a somewhat older 3G only mobile device or assistive device, it will stop being able to see a network signal on any network that ceases using 3G mobile technology.

That’s not just mobile phones, but also any Internet of Things (IoT) device that relies on a 3G SIM card only.

Why are networks going to shut down 3G?

Each of Australia’s mobile networks only has a limited quantity of mobile spectrum that it uses for all of its mobile network needs.

By decommissioning 3G networks, it frees up significant quantities of spectrum from comparatively lower-speed 3G for use on 4G and 5G network infrastructure.

With 5G networks already a reality in Australia, the numbers of consumers living in a 3G-only world is relatively low, which means, that it’s also a substantial cost to the network providers in mobile network management and ongoing repairs.

From a telco point of view, it makes more sense to invest time and money into improving 4G and building out 5G instead.

Telstra 3G Network shutdown: What we know so far..

Telstra is furthest along the path of killing off its 3G networks. In March 2019, it ceased using the 2,100Mhz 3G frequency across Australia, which made a number of much older 3G handsets inoperable.

In October 2019, Telstra laid out its timeline for 3G shutdown in Australia, committing to switching off all of its remaining 850Mhz 3G  by June 2024.

Telstra have stated that it plan to expand their 4G coverage and eventually 5G coverage to meet the needs of those in 3G-only areas.

Nikos Katinakis, Telstra’s Group Executive, Networks and IT stated that “Between now and then, we’ll be upgrading and expanding our 4G coverage to a materially equivalent size and reach to our 3G footprint.

Most customers will generally notice an improvement in speed when using a compatible device – in many cases a substantial one.

We are working to assess our product range and all current areas with 3G-only coverage in order to give you the best possible experience on 4G and 5G.”

Optus 3G Network shutdown: What we know so far..

While Optus 5G plans now encompass both in-home 5G fixed broadband and an expanding range of 5G handset devices, it has yet to make any particular public pronouncements around the shutdown of its 3G networks.

What this means for you is that the 900Mhz may be going way past 2024. Which is plenty of time.

If they follow the same pattern that as they did with the 2G services, you can expect it to follow Telstra within a year or so after, which means that they their 3G network shutdown may be sometime in 2025-2027.

Vodafone 3G Network shutdown: What we know so far..

Vodafone is even further behind in rolling out 5G, which leaves it with more reason to perhaps keep its 3G services up and running.

They were similarly late to the 4G network upgrade, so if for some reason you’re notably keen on 3G, it’s quite likely that Vodafone will continue to offer it as part of its mobile mix well after Telstra, and possibly Optus, has cut the 3G cord.

In short, what that means is that phones and other devices that rely purely on a 3G connection will stop being able to access networks in Australia, although this won’t happen suddenly – or indeed for many years to come.