Central Coast Locals Prepare For 3G Switchover

Australian 3G networks are being switched over this year and this will impact different devices in different ways.

There are devices which rely solely on 3G, including 3G-only handsets, some Eftpos machines and medical alarms.

3G-only handsets won’t be able to make any calls after the switchover, and that will be apparent to users.
However, there’s also a subset of 4G handsets which use 4G for voice and data but are configured by the manufacturer to use 3G for Triple Zero calls.

This category of handset is of more concern because it won’t be apparent to users their handset can’t call Triple Zero after the switch over; they would only discover this during an emergency.

Recent industry estimates indicate that up to 740,000 devices currently in the market will not be able to contact Triple Zero post-switchover, as a result of manufacturer’s device settings.

The Albanese Government takes this issue extremely seriously and will continue to monitor the switchovers and note that options exist in law, including potential proposals to delay planned 3G switchovers, if that is in the public interest, and subject to consultation processes.

Australians rightly expect the Triple Zero service can be relied on when they need it. It’s one of the most critical public interest requirements for mobile carriers.

Telecommunications should enrich peoples’ lives and support public safety.

That’s why we are investing over $2.2 billion to strengthen our networks, including mobile network resilience and much needed technology upgrades to the NBN – enabling speed boosts and helping ensure Australians get more for what they pay on their telco bills.

This week the government announced it was standing up a Working Group with all three telcos and the industry’s peak body to improve communications, reporting information, and advice to customers.

The Working Group will provide its first report later this month, and then report on a fortnightly basis.