Upcoming 3G network closure may affect your access to emergency services

Key points:

• Australian telecommunication providers are switching off 3G networks on September 1, 2024 and Australians with incompatible phones will not be able to call emergency services
• Seventy-one percent of Australians aged 50 years and over have access to a smartphone, according to the Australian Government
• Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland encouraged Australians to check their mobile phone compatibility as more than 100,000 handsets may still be affected

Major telecommunication providers will switch off their 3G networks by September 1, 2024. This means that people using devices that rely solely on 3G networks will not be able to use mobile services such as making phone calls to emergency services.

Seventy-one percent of Australians aged 50 years and over have access to a smartphone. 

However, recent estimates from mobile network operators suggest that up to 102,000 handsets may still be affected by the 3G network closure despite the number of affected handsets dropping from up to 740,000 handsets in March 2024.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland praised the efforts of mobile phone providers in informing customers, as some Australians may still own technology that will not be connected to a network from September 1, 2024.

“Despite the latest fall in the number of affected handsets, as the planned switchover date draws closer, it is clear that more needs to be done,” she said.

“[The] industry has undertaken [a] significant effort to identify and contact affected customers and make information available.

“The government is keen to see this work ramp up and continue.”

The 3G services are being switched off as 4G and 5G services provide faster and more efficient services including speedier downloads. The most updated technology standard for cellular communication is 5G — which means fifth-generation — however 4G is an older version that will still be active after the 3G network closure. 

However, some phones with 4G service could be affected by the 3G network closure if they are classified as 4G non-VoLTE. VoLTE stands for Voice over Long-Term Evolution and it can improve the quality of your calls but not all phones have this capability.

While this means that the phone can engage in a 4G network, it may rely on 3G to make voice calls. Contact your mobile phone provider to see if VoLTE can be activated on your mobile phone. 

It’s not just phones that will be affected, as many medical devices may only be compatible with 3G service. 

Personal alert devices enable users to alert emergency services of a fall, however, the government is warning users that 3G-operated devices will not be able to transmit voice calls or notifications after September 1, 2024. 

In one Australian study, researchers identified that older Australians with personal alarms ‘benefitted in terms of feeling more safe and secure and being more active around their home.’

Many personal alarms, which may be worn around the neck, have features including an SOS alarm to alert emergency services, a fall detector and a GPS component.

Eligible Australians can apply for financial assistance to pay for an approved device and for monitoring services.

Eligibility criteria in South Australia include being a high fall risk, having a Centrelink or DVA Pensioner Concession card and being over 75 years of age.

The application must be completed with a healthcare professional and then be emailed to pasa@sa.gov.au. 

Eligible recipients can receive up to $380 dollars for the purchase and installation of the personal alert device and up to $200 dollars annually for approved monitoring services, according to the South Australian Government website.

Additionally, eligible Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Package recipients can access goods, equipment and assistive technology support including updated personal alert devices. 

For more information about GEAT, visit the Aged Care Engagement website or phone 1800 200 422.

Ms Rowland commented previously on the expected 3G network closure and encouraged Australians to ensure their devices would be compatible. 

“While the government supports the safe switchover from 3G, it is important Australians are aware that some devices in the mobile market are not appropriately configured to contact emergency services on the 4G network,” she said.

“I would encourage Australians who think their device may be impacted to reach out to their service provider for more information.”

To find out if your phone is impacted, text ‘3G’ to 3498 using the phone you’d like to check. You’ll receive a text message within a minute with information about your phone’s 3G status. 

Major telecommunications companies were expected to have turned off 3G services on July 1, 2024, but this was delayed until September 1, 2024.

If you’re still unsure about your mobile phone’s compatibility with the network change-over, contact your mobile phone provider or visit the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association website. 

Many 3G compatible phones will still be able to access Wi-Fi at home and at locations where free internet access is available e.g. at airports, but will not be able to make calls to emergency services.

The Australian Government urges people not to call emergency services to test their phone’s compatibility as this will not provide an accurate response and could prevent others from receiving life-saving care. 

Are you prepared for the closure of 3G networks in Australia?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

For more information and news in the aged care industry, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

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