Quick steps to prepare for the 3G shutdown

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Australian telcos are turning off the 3G network

Australian telecommunications companies are closing their 3G networks to increase the capacity and speed of 4G and 5G services. Devices that only connect to 3G won’t be able to make or receive calls and texts or access the internet. Some early 4G devices are also impacted.

What does this mean for me?

To access mobile networks after the 3G shutdown, your device must support:

4G network and be enabled for VoLTE ( Voice over Long Term Evolution). VoLTE allows older 4G devices to make emergency calls to Triple Zero (after the 3G network shutdown.

and / or

5G network

When is this happening?

The shutdown is rolling out progressively:

TPG/Vodafone closed their 3G network in December 2023.
Telstra will close its 3G network on 31 August 2024.
Optus will follow in September 2024.

Will my device be impacted?

There are a few ways to find out if your device will be impacted by the 3G network shutdown.

As a general guide:

5G devices = no action required

4G devices = update your software and confirm VoLTE is enabled

3G = plan ahead and replace your device.

Action	Detail	Next step
Contact our Accessible Telecoms team on 1800 442 300 or accessible.telecoms@accan.org.au	The team will help you find out if your device will be affected by the 3G shutdown.	Accessible Telecoms provides free information and tailored advice to help you select a new device. They can help guide you through the following actions:
Telstra and Optus customers can SMS ‘3’ to the number 3498 to find out if their mobile phone is impacted.	You will receive a reply advising whether your device will be impacted by the shutdown.	3G devices: Plan ahead to replace your device. 4G devices: 1) Update your device operating software: Android devices, go to Settings > Software update. iOS devices, go to Settings > General > Software update. 2) Enable VoLTE: Android devices, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network Mode. iOS devices (iPhone 6 or later): VoLTE should be automatically enabled. To manually enable, go to Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data options > Voice and Data. 5G devices: no action is required
Check your phone’s network indicators on the status bar at the top of the screen. It should display "3G", "4G", “5G”, “VoLTE” or "LTE".	If your device displays 3G it will not work after the shutdown.
	If your device displays 4G, you must update your software and enable VoLTE for emergency (000) calls.
Search online for more information about your model	Seach using the device name/model and search terms “3G”, “4G LTE”, “VoLTE”, or “5G”.
Contact your mobile service provider or device manufacturer.

How to choose a new device

If you need to replace your device, online buying guides and in-store sales staff can help you choose a model that meets your needs. Several basic mobile phone models (or “dumbphones”) are compatible with 4G and VoLTE.

CHOICE’s guide to buying a smartphone (opens in new tab) is a useful starting point.
Our Accessible Telecoms team can help you decide which devices suit your needs. To get in touch with Accessible Telecoms, call 1800 442 300, email accessible.telecoms@accan.org.au, or check out the Accessible Telecoms website.