The closure of the 3G mobile network has finally begun.

Australians with certain mobile phones will today find their handsets have been disconnected by Telstra or Optus, meaning they can no longer make Triple 0 (000) emergency calls. Vodafone has already shut its 3G mobile network.

Customers using affected mobile devices (3G voice or VoLTE-capable but require 3G for Triple Zero) will be blocked from accessing Telstra and Optus networks and won’t have access to voice or data services until they upgrade to a new handset.

Under direction from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Telstra and Optus were required to notify affected customers and provide them with information about alternative mobile phones. 

“Under the updated (Emergency Call Service) Determination, which comes into effect on Monday 28 October, we will be required to disconnect mobile phones that can no longer call Triple Zero (000),” Telstra says.

“This change is being made because there are some mobile phones still in use that require access to a 3G network to call Triple Zero.”

Telstra 3G Shutdown.

Telstra says that it began blocking devices at 12:01am today “to ensure we’re complying with the updated Determination. If you are impacted, it is important to upgrade to a new handset … to ensure service continuity”.

“Impacted devices may include 3G and some 4G/5G phones, smartwatches, tablets, in-home personal emergency alarms, EFTPOS terminals, as well as fire or security alarms,” Telstra says. “If you have received an SMS, email, call or letter from us – you must take action to stay connected.”

The 3G closure was announced about five years ago. An August 2024 end date was pushed back to give Telstra and its competitor Optus more time to inform people they were shutting their 3G networks, and encourage them to organise a new handset.

In July the National Rural Health Alliance Chief Executive, Susi Tegen, gave evidence to a Senate committee that there was significant concern in rural and regional areas about switching off the 3G mobile network.

Optus 3G Shutdown.

“Low-quality connectivity outside of Australia’s cities is an ongoing issue. This is exacerbated by the 3G network shutdown for people living in rural areas,” said Tegen.

In August, after an extension to the closure date was announced, she said: “We have highlighted on many occasions that the impact of the 3G network shutdown is amplified for people living in rural, regional and remote areas due to the limited availability of healthcare services and the heavy reliance of 3G-enabled medical and other devices.

“Many would risk losing access to triple-zero due to the use of older mobile phones that only support 3G networks.”

Telstra Advice

  1. Upgrade to a compatible device: To connect to Telstra’s mobile network you will need a device compatible with 4G frequency Band 28 (700Mhz) and Voice over LTE (VoLTE) including VoLTE Emergency Calling. 
  2. Update your device software and firmware to iOS10 or Android 9 and above. It may take 5-10 minutes to update, and your device will reboot after it’s done. Telstra recommends using Wi-Fi to reduce data usage, and ensuring VoLTE is switched on in your phone’s settings. Find out how to check and enable VoLTE

You can read more about the closure at Telstra here and at Optus here.