Nearly 750,000 could be cut off from emergency services after the 3G shutdown

With the impending closure of the 3G networks, nearly three quarters of a million Australians may be unable to contact emergency services with their current handsets.

The Australian Federal Government has set up a working group to ensure the switch over from 3G to 4G runs as smoothly as possible.

But it was discovered the customers using older 4G handsets may mistakenly think their mobile device will still be unaffected after the 3G switch off.

Some of the affected handsets were released as recently as 2019 and include older iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smartphones (see the full list below).

These particular handsets can make calls on the 4G network but may not work if the customer is trying to call 000.

Vodafone has already closed its 3G network with Telstra to follow on June 30, 2024 and Optus on September 1, 2024.

There is an estimated 740,000 handsets that could be affected and the Government’s working group will be working with the three major telcos Telstra, Optus, TPG (Vodafone) to contact customers and check to see if their device will be affected.

“Supporting Australians’ access to Triple Zero is critical,” says Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.

“While the Government supports the safe switchover from 3G, it is important Australians are aware that some devices in the mobile market are not appropriately configured to contact emergency services on the 4G network.

“This new Working Group will ensure industry better coordinates efforts to identify and contact impacted customers, improves the accessibility of public-facing information and contact points, and provide regular advice to Government on the number of potentially affected devices and customers in the market.

“The Government will continue to monitor this issue closely and consider options under law if warranted in the public interest.

“I would encourage Australians who think their device may be impacted to reach out to their service provider for more information”.

Telstra says it is working closely with other mobile network operators, the ACMA and the Federal Government to manage Australia’s transition from 3G to 4G slash 5G.

“It’s a significant investment by the mobile operators in the connectivity and future productivity of the country through increased speed, capacity and efficiency. We can’t deliver these improvements across our networks without closing 3G,” a Telstra spokesperson said.

 “Since announcing the shutdown of our 3G network in 2019, the vast majority of customers have upgraded their mobile devices.

“This is reflected by the fact that 3G now accounts for only 1 per cent of our total mobile network traffic.

“We are working very hard to ensure that all areas that currently only have 3G coverage get 4G coverage before we close the 3G network on 30 June. More than 98 per cent of our mobile sites already have 4G installed.

 “Some older 4G mobile phones require a 3G network to make calls to Triple Zero. This is a hardware feature built into the design of the phone by the manufacturer and it is a global, industry-wide issue that many countries have already worked through as they have closed their 3G networks.

“Following the closure of Australia’s 3G networks customers with these devices will not be able to make Triple Zero calls despite the device otherwise working normally.

“To be able to make an emergency call to Triple Zero once the 3G mobile networks are closed, 4G devices must support, and be configured to use, Voice over LTE (VoLTE) emergency calling.

“Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is the international standard all mobile networks use to carry voice calls over 4G networks.

“We are contacting customers we have been able to identify as using one of these devices to let them know they need to check their device and will likely need to upgrade.”

Here are top 25 most common devices which may be affected by the 3G closure:

1. Alcatel 2038
2. Alcatel OneTouch 2045
3. Apple iPhone 5
4. Apple iPhone 5C
5. Apple iPhone 5S
6. Aspera A42
7. Doro 6521
8. Doro PhoneEasy 623
9. Google Pixel 2 XL
10. Huawei E5251s-2
11. Huawei E5331
12. Huawei Y6 Prime
13. Nokia 301
14. Oppo A57
15. Oppo F1s
16. Oppo F5 Youth
17. Optus X Smart
18. Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini
19. Samsung Galaxy S5
20. ZTE Blade A0605
21. iPad Air
22. iPad Retina
23. iPad mini Retina
24. iPad mini
25. iPad mini 3