Telstra to push back 3G switch-off

Telstra will push back the planned closure of its 3G network by two months to the end of August to give customers more time to upgrade devices.

The pushback effectively aligns the closure dates of Telstra and Optus.

While 3G shutdown dates have been known for some time, they gained significant public attention only recently when the role of 3G in emergency calling became apparent.

A key issue is that some older 4G handsets don’t support voice-over-LTE and revert to 3G for emergency calls; the closure will impact those customers’ ability to call Triple Zero unless they buy new handsets.

More than a million handsets need to be upgraded.

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said customers who were unsure if they needed to upgrade could SMS ‘3’ to 3498.

“We’ll tell you if your handset needs to be updated,” Brady wrote.

Telstra said it will also “soon” play messages to affected users. 

“Soon, customers yet to upgrade will hear a short message on impacted mobiles when you make an outgoing call, as a reminder that you need to act,” Brady said.

“This pre-recorded message will only be removed once you’ve upgraded.”

Aside from cellular handsets, some medical devices “and other hardware connected to our 3G network, from EFTPOS terminals to farm machinery”, also need upgrades.

Brady urged action from customers to upgrade, noting that telcos wanted to repurpose 3G spectrum.

“Closing Australia’s 3G networks is a significant step that will lead to improved connectivity for the nation, so please act quickly to check your devices and upgrade today,” she said.

The impact of the 3G shutdown is being probed by a senate inquiry, but it’s not due to report until after the closures take place.