Telstra to jettison pre-smartphone 2G network on December 1

THOUSANDS  of Tasmanians are still using 2G mobiles with less than six weeks to go before Telstra switches off its network.

Telstra will be the first to jettison the pre-smartphone network when it discontinues its 2G service on December 1. Picture: THINKSTOCK

THOUSANDS  of Tasmanians are still using 2G mobiles with less than six weeks to go before Telstra switches off its network.

The major carrier will be the first to jettison the pre-smartphone network when it discontinues its 2G service on December 1.

The move has caused concern among the elderly, many of whom carry an older mobile for use in emergencies.

From December, triple-0 calls will not be able to be made from many of those phones.

Telstra told the Sunday Tasmanian a “few thousand” customers in the state remained connected to the network.

The carrier has been contacting them, offering a free SIM-card switch or, if necessary, a new phone from $29.

“The switch should be relatively simple and straight­forward for most customers,” a Telstra spokesman said.

“If possible, we recommend our customers visit their nearest Telstra store or service provider to chat about their options.”

Health-critical devices such as health alarms should also be checked, the spokesman said.

Digital Tasmania spokesman John Allan said Telstra had done what it could to inform customers since its announcement two years ago, but some could be caught out.

“The problem is an elderly person who has a mobile in their purse for emergencies might not be reading the text messages or answering the phone because it’s not switched on,” Mr Allan said.

Traffic on the 2G network contributes less than 1 per cent nationally but Vodafone, which will switch off in September 2017, said 600,000 customers had moved from 2G since 2013.

Optus will switch off its 2G network in April.

Council on the Ageing Tasmania chief executive Sue Leitch said it was important information was distributed through a range of media.

“If they’ve got a phone that age it’s unlikely they’re engaged much digitally,” Ms Leitch said.

Bellerive, Howrah, Launceston and those around the North-West postcode 7310 had the highest concentrations of 2G users, Telstra said.

Tasmanian Council of Social Service CEO Kym Goodes said some older Tasmanians would need education on how to use their new smartphones.

“This is often their only means of contact with loved ones, healthcare providers and emergency services,” she said.

Originally published as Telstra to jettison pre-smartphone 2G network on December 1