The Hon. Matthew Canavan, Senator for Queensland, Chair of Regional and Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee, The Hon. Gerard Rennick, Senator for Queensland, Joint Media Release, 1 August 2024

The Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Reference Committee has today called for a delay in the shutdown of Telstra and Optus’ 3G networks until more is done to work out how many devices could be impacted by the shutdown (including non-phone devices).

The committee has heard from a variety of different stakeholders about the impact the shutdown will have on devices that hadn’t been considered when the decision was made, including medical devices, emergency phones in elevators, and even surveying equipment.

“We’ve asked for Minister Rowland to meet with Telstra and Optus to extend the date for the shutdown of their 3G networks until we know the full impact and everything is done to ensure that we don’t see large unintended consequences.” Senator Canavan said.

“If they fail to agree to that, we’ve recommended that the Minister use her powers to ensure that a delay occurs. The 3G spectrum is a public asset and we must make sure that it is managed with the public interest of all Australians in mind.

“While the impending shutdown of the 3G network has been known about for up to 5 years, it has only been in recent months that its full ramifications have been revealed. Our Senate committee heard evidence that up to 1 million devices (both phones and non-phones) could be impacted.

“And, that’s just what we know. In hearings, the Department could not assure us whether the emergency phones in elevators would continue to work. The Department had only contacted the manufacturers of elevators last week. Other equipment such as medical alert devices, farm equipment and alarm systems may also be impacted.

In addition, while the telecommunication companies have made significant efforts to alert and help people that have phones that may not work after the shutdown, these efforts have only ramped up in recent times. It was only earlier this year that it was discovered that some “4G phones” won’t be able to make emergency “000” calls without a 3G network. Six months is not a reasonable enough time for consumers to find out about any issues and make arrangements to update their phones.

All in all, this is a situation where a delay is prudent because it is better to be safe than sorry.

Telstra’s 3G closure is currently scheduled for 31 August 2024, and Optus’ to begin in September 2024. Mobile phone users can check if their phone is impacted by the shut down by SMSing 3 to 3498 on your device.

The committee report can be found here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/3GNetworkShutdown/Interim_Report