New research shows fewer than half of Aussies use 5G phones

One in five Australians with a mobile phone don’t want 5G, and some admit they don’t know what it is, it’s been revealed.

Only 46 per cent of Australians have a 5G phone. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

Fewer than half of Australians using mobile phones have a device that picks up a 5G connection, according to new research.

Price comparison website Finder say their Consumer Sentiment Tracker, a live survey of more than 53,000 Australians, shows just 46 per cent of respondents say their phone has 5G connectivity.

The same research shows 24 per cent of Australians don’t want 5G coverage, and 8 per cent admit they don’t know what it is.

But 22 per cent say while they don’t have 5G at the moment, they would like to upgrade.

Research from Finder has found only 46 per cent of Australians have a 5G phone. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

It comes as we near the end of the 3G networks, with the major telcos planning to start shutting them down and refarming the networks (using that technology to boost the newer 4G and 5G networks).

Vodafone will shut their 3G network down on December 15, Telstra in June 2024 and Optus in September 2024.

M2M Connectivity in February predicted between two and three million Aussies were still using 3G devices, which would essentially be rendered obsolete after their telco’s 3G shutdown.

Vodafone will be the first to shut down their 3G network on December 15. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Finder’s tech expert Angus Kidman says those with old devices will need to upgrade soon or be cut off.

“That applies to iPhone owners too,” Mr Kidman said, with the new iPhone 15 range to be unveiled early Wednesday morning.

“If you're using any model earlier than an iPhone 6, it’s almost going to be 3G only and will stop working next year.

“The 3G shutdown will also affect non-phone devices, including security systems, medical alarms, EFTPOS machines, and even some cars’ remote start systems.

“If you have a device that solely uses 3G to operate, check with the manufacturer or your network provider to find out if you are impacted.”

Anyone worried about their device post-3G should contact their telco or manufacturer. Picture NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

But if you purchased your handset within the last few years, not to worry, even if it doesn’t receive 5G it won’t be affected when 3G finally goes offline.

These networks, which send and transmit mobile phone data and signals, are introduced every 10 years or so and older networks are refarmed soon after.

The name 5G itself means fifth generation, with 5G networks first coming online in 2019, which means we should see 6G around the end of this decade.