Telstra delivers two-month reprieve ahead of Australia’s 3G network shutdown

Telstra has revealed a big change to the planned shutdown of 3G networks across Australia.

One of Australia's major telcos has announced it will delay the planned shutdown of its 3G network to give customers more time to upgrade their devices.

On Monday, Telstra revealed its June 30 network closure date would be extended until August 31.

“Telstra have been communicating the closure of the network for nearly five years but understand there are a range of reasons why some people haven’t moved on,” a Telstra spokesman said.

“We have to make sure everyone is ready to make this transition together — and we know some of our customers are still working through the steps they need to take to upgrade their devices.

“That’s why we’ve decided to provide more time and further support.”

Telstra will delay the cut-off of 3G networks to ‘give people more time to upgrade their devices’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Last month, Telstra revealed more than 110,000 customers were yet to upgrade despite the looming cut-off date.

From Monday, the customers still on the 3G network will hear a message reminding them they need to upgrade.

Concerns have been raised about the ability of older 4G phones to contact emergency services, as these default to the 3G network when calling triple-0.

Telstra has launched an SMS tool that customers can use to determine whether their device will be affected by simply text messaging “3” to 3498.

The government has set up a working group aiming to ensure a smooth transition.

The planned shutdown was first announced in 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

All Australian telcos will shutter the 20-year-old network as part of an industry-wide change first announced in 2019 to allow carriers to boost capacity for later generation networks.

TPG was the first to make the shift in December, Vodafone will follow suit in mid-2024, while Optus will keep the service on until September 1.

NSW Farmers rural affairs committee chair Deb Charlton welcomed Telstra’s decision, saying it had come as a relief to rural Australians.

“Connectivity is a critical tool, and so we can’t spare any time or expense when it comes to keeping our rural and regional communities connected and safe,” she said.

“A huge range of farm machinery, as well as mobile phones, could also stop functioning if not upgraded in time for the network shutdown.

“We welcome Telstra’s efforts to engage and educate the community around the network shutdown, but this needs to be ramped up.”

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman described Telstra’s move as evidence of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s “hapless handling” of the switch.

“This decision underscores Minister Rowland’s hapless handling of the key issue that some 4G phones will not work after 3G shutdown,” he said.

“The minister only set up her ‘working group’ in March. If the minister had acted professionally and expeditiously, there would have been ample time to deal with this issue prior to 3G shutdown.”