Australian 3G Network Shutdown: Everything you need to know

3G Shutdown australian network

As the 5G rollout progresses, mobile network operators are going to start turning off 3G services. While 3G will still be around for a little longer, we're already seeing telcos switch it off entirely. 

Australian 3G Network Shutdown: Everything you need to know

Why shut down 3G networks?

All wireless communications rely on radio frequency or "spectrum" (measured in megahertz bands, such as 850MHz or 2100MHz). Spectrum is a fixed resource. The amount available to use is determined by the physics of radio waves. Telcos buy access to "lots" of spectrum that they use to build their network, but once a band is full, that's it. We can't add more.

As such, telcos have to make the most of the spectrum they have. For example, if a provider no longer runs 3G services on a certain band, it can redeploy that spectrum as faster and more efficient 4G or 5G.

It's not a perfect analogy, but think of spectrum like a farm. You can change how you use your land - you could turn your apple orchard into a vineyard - but you can't plant outside of your property. 

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When will Australia's 3G networks be shut down?

Telstra and Optus have all phased out parts of their 3G networks, but there's still a bit of time before their 3G networks are shut down entirely. Vodafone started shutting down its 3G network on December 15 last year, and finished in January. 

Telstra is slated to turn off 3G in August, while Optus follow in September.

These dates may change, however. The Federal Government could force Telstra and Optus to push back their respective 3G network shutdown dates amid concerns some older 4G phones may not be able to call Triple Zero without 3G. Telstra has already pushed back its 3G shutdown date from June to August. 

There are also a number of 4G phones that won't be able to make calls at all when 3G is shut down, since they don't support VoLTE. 

Telstra 3G shutdown

Telstra switched off 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum on March 25, 2019, but will continue to operate 3G services on its 850MHz spectrum until August 31, 2024. Telstra was originally planning to stop operating its 3G network on June 30, but delayed the closure by two months to give customers more time to upgrade devices if need be. 

Telstra published a list of devices it has sold that were affected by the 2100MHz 3G shutdown. You can find it here. If you have a 2100MHz-only 3G device, it will no longer be able to connect to the Telstra network. If you can still get 3G on the Telstra network, your device hasn't been affected by Telstra's decision to switch off 3G on 2100MHz. 

Customers with a phone plan on Telstra-powered MVNOs such as Boost Mobile, Belong, and Woolworths Mobile will also be affected by this change. 

Telstra customers and customers on a Telstra-powered provider can text "3" to 3498 to see if their phone will continue to work after the 3G shutdown. 

Vodafone 3G shutdown

Vodafone phased 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum over the course of 2019, and stopped operating 3G services on its 900MHz spectrum starting December 15 last year. It progressively shut down its 3G network and finished in January. 

Optus 3G shutdown

Optus has ended 3G services on the 2100MHz spectrum, but still offers 3G connectivity on the 900Mhz spectrum. It will shut down the rest of its 3G network in September this year. 

Australian 3G Network Shutdown: Everything you need to know

4G phones that won't work after the 3G shutdown

Some older 4G phones won't be able to make phone calls at all when 3G networks are shut down, due to a lack of VoLTE support. VoLTE is a technology that allows phones to make calls over 4G networks. As such, these phones will effectively become data-only devices following the 3G shutdown. 

What makes this a little more complicated is the fact that VoLTE compatibility can differ between Telstra and Optus. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 supports VoLTE on Optus, but it doesn't support it on Telstra. The Galaxy S7 was the first VoLTE-compatible S-series phone for Telstra customers.

Here's a list of popular 4G phones that will no longer work on the Telstra network after it shuts down 3G:

• iPhone 5

• iPhone 5C

• iPhone 5S

• Galaxy S5

• Galaxy S6

• Galaxy S6 Edge

• Galaxy Note 4

And here's a list of popular 4G phones that will no longer work on the Optus network after it shuts down 3G:

• iPhone 5

• iPhone 5C

• iPhone 5S

• Galaxy S5

• Galaxy Note 4

• Google Pixel 2 XL

• Huawei Y6 Prime

• Optus X Smart 4G

• OPPO A57

• OPPO F1s

In addition, there are some newer 4G devices that support VoLTE but still use 3G for calling Triple Zero. As such, these phones won't be able to make emergency calls after 3G is shut down. 

The following popular 4G devices will still be able to make calls after the 4G shutdown, but won't be able to make emergency calls. 

• iPhone 6

• iPhone 6 Plus

• iPhone SE (1st generation)

• Galaxy S7

• Galaxy S7 Plus

• Galaxy S8

• Galaxy S8 Plus

• Galaxy Note 5

• Galaxy Note 8

• Google Pixel 

• Google Pixel XL 

• Google Pixel 2

• Google Pixel 2 XL*

*Optus says the Pixel 2 XL won't be able to make phone calls at all after the 3G shutdown, but Telstra says the phone will keep working for its customers

There are other phones from other manufacturers that will be affected by this issue. If you're concerned about your device, its best to contact your telco directly.