As the 3G shutdown draws near (October 28), there are important considerations for people who live and work in remote, rural or regional areas.

In these areas, residents are more likely to be directly affected by the closure since there is a higher reliance on 3G networks for communication. 

Most people think mobile phones when it comes to the 3G network. However, as you see below, there are a number of devices that may use the 3G network, including but not limited to:  

• 3G-only SIM cards, mobile phones, tablets and laptops 
• 4G-enabled devices that do not have VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capability 
• 4G-enabled devices that use 3G to force emergency calls through 
• Antennas and wireless-to-landline links 
• Autonomous farming robots 
• Drones and other UAVs 
• EFTPOS terminals and other finance systems 
• GPS systems in machinery or vehicle fleets 
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other devices within closed networks 
• Irrigation systems 
• Livestock monitoring devices 
• Medical alarms, and other medical devices 
• Mobile broadband modems and Wi-Fi signal repeaters 
• Power generators, solar panels, smart meters for water/gas/electricity, and energy storage systems 
• Second-hand or refurbished phones, or phones purchased overseas 
• Smart fencing and/or gate control systems 
• Smart watches and other wearables 
• Weather stations, soil/water sensors and other on-farm data collection equipment 
• Wired or remote security cameras, closed network security systems and alarms.

Any of the above devices that do not have 4G/5G compatibility will no longer work after the 3G network is switched off. 

Telstra and Optus have extended their switch-off date – both carriers will now switch off their 3G networks from Monday, 28 October 2024.

Upgrading to 4G/5G capable devices before this date is essential to ensure continued access to data, voice calls, SMS/text messaging, and emergency services. 

What to do to prepare for the shutdown

• Find out what network your mobile service provider uses if you are not a direct customer of Telstra or Optus. 
• Check if your current communication devices support 4G/5G. To test whether or not your device will be affected, you can: 
• Text 3 to 3GXT (text the number ‘3’ to ‘3498’). 
• Call 13 22 00 (Telstra customers) or 13 39 37 (Optus customers). 
• Search your device’s 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number via the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA)’s ‘Check My Device’ tool. 
• Even if your communication device is 4G/5G capable, check if it has VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capability.  
• Follow the same process for your other devices that connect to a mobile network. Contact the manufacturer of a device as soon as possible if you are unsure whether or not it will continue working after the shutdown. 

More information 

Contact your service provider. Both Telstra and Optus are actively reaching out to customers who may be affected via SMS, email, call, letter, or you may hear a recorded message play before you make an outbound call. Be aware of scams and only contact your mobile provider directly using trusted information. 

If your mobile is with a different service provider that uses the Telstra or Optus network you can find out which one through this link.