Concerns over emergency services mean 3G phone owners have a little more time to upgrade
Telstra and Optus have come together to announce an extension to their 3G network shutdowns in order to allow users more time to upgrade and conduct a public awareness campaign. The new shutdown date for 3G via both Telstra and Optus is October 28, 2024.
Previously, the 3G networks offered by Australia’s two largest telcos were set to shut down much earlier – as early as June and September for Telstra and Optus respectively – but now the telcos will be working together to ensure affected customers understand what this shutdown means for them. Vodafone already shut down its Australian 3G network in late 2023.
“Both carriers are confident they’ve exhausted every avenue of customer communication available to them, and this additional public awareness campaign will ensure that the upcoming 3G closures are front of mind for all Australians,” the telcos said in a joint statement.
“From experience, both Telstra and Optus know there will always be customers who are aware of the closures, but who won’t take the action they need to before the closures for a range of reasons.
