Australian 3G Network Shutdown: Everything you need to know

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 28 October 2024

Contents

In this guide:

Why shut down 3G networks
When will Australia's 3G networks be shut down?
Telstra 3G network shutdown
Vodafone 3G network shutdown
Optus 3G network shutdown
4G phones that won't work after the 3G shutdown
I've got a 3G phone, what should I do?

The 3G shutdown is upon us, with Telstra and Optus set to close Australia's remaining 3G networks from October 28. Here's what you need to know.

Why shut down 3G networks?

All wireless communications rely on radio frequency or "spectrum" (measured in megahertz bands, such as 850MHz or 2100MHz). Spectrum is a fixed resource. The amount available to use is determined by the physics of radio waves. Telcos buy access to "lots" of spectrum that they use to build their network, but once a band is full, that's it. We can't add more.

As such, telcos have to make the most of the spectrum they have. For example, if a provider no longer runs 3G services on a certain band, it can redeploy that spectrum as faster and more efficient 4G or 5G.

It's not a perfect analogy, but think of spectrum like a farm. You can change how you use your land - you could turn your apple orchard into a vineyard - but you can't plant outside of your property.

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When will Australia's 3G networks be shut down?

Telstra and Optus have already phased out parts of their 3G networks, now both providers have begun the process of shuttering their remaining 3G coverage as of October 28.

Optus will however maintain some small patches of 3G coverage in areas with no 4G. This coverage will be maintained until it deploys in those areas.

Vodafone started shutting down its 3G network on December 15 last year, and finished in January.

Telstra 3G shutdown

Telstra switched off 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum on March 25, 2019, but continued to operate 3G services on its 850MHz spectrum until October 28. It will finish the closure by November 4.

Customers with a phone plan on Telstra-powered MVNOs such as Boost Mobile, Belong, and Woolworths Mobile will also be affected by this change.

Vodafone 3G shutdown

Vodafone phased 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum over the course of 2019, and stopped operating 3G services on its 900MHz spectrum starting December 15 last year. It progressively shut down its 3G network and finished in January.

Optus 3G shutdown

Optus has ended 3G services on the 2100MHz spectrum, but still offers 3G connectivity on the 900Mhz spectrum. It has started shutting down the majority of its 3G network as of October 28. Small pockets of 3G will stay live in areas without 4G coverage.

4G phones that won't work after the 3G shutdown

Some older 4G phones won't be able to make phone calls at all when 3G networks are shut down, due to a lack of VoLTE support. VoLTE is a technology that allows phones to make calls over 4G networks. As such, these phones will effectively become data-only devices following the 3G shutdown.

What makes this a little more complicated is the fact that VoLTE compatibility can differ between Telstra and Optus. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 supports VoLTE on Optus, but it doesn't support it on Telstra. The Galaxy S7 was the first VoLTE-compatible S-series phone for Telstra customers.

Here's a list of popular 4G phones that will no longer work on the Telstra network after it shuts down 3G:

iPhone 5
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S
Galaxy S5
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Galaxy Note 4

And here's a list of popular 4G phones that will no longer work on the Optus network after it shuts down 3G:

iPhone 5
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S
Galaxy S5
Galaxy Note 4
Google Pixel 2 XL
Huawei Y6 Prime
Optus X Smart 4G
OPPO A57
OPPO F1s

In addition, there are some newer 4G devices that support VoLTE but still use 3G for calling Triple Zero. This includes the following devices:

iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 Plus
Galaxy S8
Galaxy S8 Plus
Galaxy Note 5
Galaxy Note 8
Google Pixel
Google Pixel XL
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL*

_{*Optus says the Pixel 2 XL won't be able to make phone calls at all after the 3G shutdown, but Telstra says the phone will keep working for its customers}

There are other phones from other manufacturers that will be affected by this issue.

Due to a new law, providers have blocked phones that aren't able to call Triple Zero over VoLTE from their networks.

Some phones may also be missing certain 4G bands, which would mean weaker or no coverage in some areas. This can especially be an issue with phones not bought in Australia.

I've got a 3G phone, what should I do?

Anyone with a 3G phone will need to upgrade to a handset with 4G connectivity.

Other 3G devices

In addition to phones, there are plenty of other devices that may rely on 3G connectivity and will be impacted by the 3G shutdown. These could include security systems, medical alarms, EFTPOS machines, and even cars.

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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