This is the end of the Internet era as the country’s major telecommunications providers announced that 3G will begin shutting down within a few months.
While most smartphones are already connected to 4G and 5G services, some devices may require emergency action to stay connected.
Medical monitors, baby monitors, EFTPOS machines, security cameras and smart watches are some of the devices that may still rely on 3G.
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Vodafone will be the first to turn off 3G this year, rolling out the change on December 15.
Telstra will stop 3G in June next year and Optus will say goodbye to the third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology in September next year.
Even emergency triple-0 calls will not be possible on affected devices.
That’s why Telstra’s NSW regional general manager Mike Marom told 7NEWS: “It’s really important to make sure you make that change (to 4G or 5G) before June 2024.”
3G was introduced to the world in 2003, bringing faster data speeds, more secure encryption algorithms, and more efficient use of the radio bands in which it operates.
“3G has done a great job,” said Marom. “It is there to provide us with voice calls, text messages and even light Internet browsing.”
But 20 years on, it has been replaced by more advanced technology, as online behavior and internet demand change drastically around the world.
Why is 3G gradually phased out?
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are all generations of wireless mobile telecommunications technology, operating using radio frequencies.
The “G” stands for generation, and the number corresponds to each upgrade iteration of the technology. 1G and 2G have been phased out.
3G is gradually being phased out as the technology is no longer in demand.
According to Marom, data consumption is growing by more than 30% a year, largely through high-definition streaming, a shift that means 3G is “no longer fit for purpose”.
There is only a finite amount of radio frequency auctioned by the Australian government to telecommunications service providers.
By taking the radio frequency that 3G currently uses and repurposing that frequency for more advanced technology, providers can provide better service to customers using on-demand technology. without the need for a new frequency.
The technical term for the process that takes place behind the scenes is called “refarming” – when a particular band of cellular radio frequencies is repurposed from one technology to another.
“We want to take the platform that 3G is using and bring that into our 4G and 5G networks,” Marom told 7NEWS.
“Instead of losing that frequency and spectrum, we re-collect that frequency into our 4G and 5G networks.”
How to stay connected
If your mobile device is 4G compatible, it is likely that it will automatically switch to 4G operation.
“However, in some cases, devices may be locked to a band and/or network – for example, our 3G network uses the 850 MHz spectrum,” Telstra said on its website. me.
Those with 4G-compatible Apple devices can check this in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data. The user can then select “automatic”. If auto is not an option, choose 4G.
Those with 4G compatible Android devices can check this in Settings > Network and Internet > Mobile networks > Preferred network type. The user can then select “automatic”. If automatic is not an option, choose 4G.
4G devices will also need to support VoLTE, which also operates on the affected frequencies. Users can enable VoLTE in Settings > Cellular > Mobile data options > Select Enable 4G > Select Voice & data. If available, enable VoLTE.
If you’re not sure whether your phone is completely dependent on 3G and is therefore affected by re-farming, call your phone manufacturer. They may ask for your phone’s unique code — your IMEI code — which you can find by dialing *#06#.
If your device depends on 3G, you’ll have to upgrade to access the network’s capabilities.
For emergency calls and medical monitoring, this is especially important.
In addition to mobile phones, there are a number of devices that may require an upgrade – and users should contact the device manufacturer before it’s too late.
“Anyone with medical monitoring devices should check with their provider to see if they need to upgrade those devices,” Marom said.
“Merchants should check with their banks as many terminals still use 3G.”
Top 3G dependent devices
Optus has revealed the top 20 devices that rely on 3G and could be affected by the technology upgrade.
“Due to the number of device brands, manufacturers and countries, we are unable to provide a complete list of all devices that may be affected,” Optus said.
Alcatel 2038 Alcatel OneTouch 2045Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5SAspera A42Doro 6521Doro PhoneEasy 623 OPTUSGoogle Pixel 2 XLHuawei E5251s-2Huawei E5331Huawei Y6 PrimeNokia 301Oppo A57Oppo F1sOppo F5 YouthOptus X SmartSamsung Galaxy J1 MiniSamsung Galaxy S Blade 5ZTE A0605
Students across Queensland schools will be required to put away their phones and smartwatches from the time they arrive at school until the time they leave.
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