The know-how that allowed hundreds of thousands of Australians to hook up with the world by their cell phones is being turned off this week.
The primary high-speed cell community, 3G, was launched in Australia in 2003 however has been overtaken by higher and sooner connections.
Whereas Vodafone started shutting down its 3G community between December 2023 and January 2024, Telstra and Optus will quickly observe go well with, with all their 3G companies set to finish subsequent week.
Why is that this occurring? Will you be affected? What do you have to do in case you are? Here is what it’s good to know.
Why is 3G shutting down in Australia?
As know-how advances, 3G utilization has steadily declined, and this pattern is anticipated to proceed.
to focus their efforts and assets on enhancing 4G, bettering capability, pace, and reliability whereas additionally accelerating the expansion of 5G companies.
Optus vp of presidency and regulatory affairs Andrew Sheridan stated: “As soon as we now have switched off 3G, clients will reap the advantages of the Optus 4G and 5G community.”
Dr Faycal Bouhafs, a researcher in wi-fi communications from the College of New South Wales, stated 4G and 5G networks provide higher connectivity.
“In case you swap onto 4G and 5G, you’ll have higher efficiency, higher high quality of service when it comes to connectivity,” he beforehand advised SBS Information.
Australia is not the one nation to modify off 3G.
Most 2G and 3G companies in america have been phased out by the top of 2022, and China accomplished nearly all of its shutdowns by the top of 2023.
Singapore has initiated its countdown from July 2024, and the UK can be steadily switching off 2G and 3G by 2033.
Will my telephone nonetheless work after the 3G shutdown?
Telcos have been reaching out to affected clients individually, but when you have not been contacted but, it is nonetheless a good suggestion to verify in case your machine shall be impacted.
Telstra CEO Vicki Brady stated they’ve been contacting clients about the necessity to put together and make the transfer for nearly 5 years.
“This has included a number of letters, invoice messages, SMS, public consciousness campaigns, promoting — even door knocking and sending free telephones to individuals in susceptible circumstances, and our assist for patrons will not finish the day the community closes,” Brady stated in a media launch.
One technique to verify in case your machine is impacted is by texting the quantity 3 to 3498 from the machine you assume is perhaps affected.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to enter your cell phone’s 15-digit Worldwide Cell Gear Identification quantity into the Australian Cell Telecommunications Affiliation checker.
What’s going to cease working after the shutdown?
In case your machine was manufactured earlier than 2019, it’s more likely to be impacted.
It is vital to notice that not solely 3G gadgets shall be affected. Some newer 4G fashions, particularly these bought abroad or imported, may be impacted if they don’t seem to be configured for Australian networks or don’t assist 4G.
Faraz Hasan, a telecommunications knowledgeable on the College of New England, beforehand advised SBS Information: “There are some 4G gadgets which can be configured by their producers to modify again to 3G once they’re making triple zero calls.”
Along with telephones, different gadgets similar to tablets, smartwatches, EFTPOS machines, hearth alarms, medical gear, safety cameras, scanners, and farm equipment that depend on 3G may also be impacted.
For these with non-standard gadgets linked to the 3G community, similar to medical gear, Telstra recommends contacting the specialist supplier to discover a appropriate various.
Do I have to improve my telephone after the shutdown?
In case your telephone is discovered to be unaffected by the shutdown, you need not take any motion right now. Nonetheless, as telcos suggest, it is advisable to replace your machine’s software program sooner or later to make sure optimum community efficiency.
Changing the SIM card in a tool that shall be affected by the shutdown just isn’t an answer. You will want to modify to a brand new telephone that’s suitable with 4G or 5G networks and configured to assist VoLTE for emergency calls.
VoLTE is a know-how that permits voice calls to be transmitted over a 4G community.
You will discover out in case your machine is affected by the 3G shutdown by sending the quantity 3 to 3498. Credit score: Equipped
Will the shutdown impression entry to emergency companies?
In case your machine depends on a 3G community, you have to to improve earlier than midnight on Sunday, 27 October to make sure you can proceed to obtain and make calls, together with to Triple Zero.
It isn’t advisable to name Triple Zero to check your machine.
Due to this fact, making certain your cell machine is suitable with 4G or 5G networks earlier than the deadline is crucial.
What can I do with my outdated machine that solely had 3G?
If it’s good to exchange your outdated telephone, you’ll be able to contemplate recycling it by the trade’s official cell phone recycling program, MobileMuster.
You will discover a close-by drop-off level by visiting their web site or selecting the free post-back possibility.
Bear in mind to take away your knowledge earlier than recycling.
