Optus US telecom giant Huawei will distribute 20,000 mobile phones to vulnerable customers ahead of a massive change that is set to affect thousands of devices across the country.
Telecom giants are preparing to stop supporting Australia’s 3G network, which has been around since the early 2000s.
This means that 3G-compatible mobile devices will soon no longer be able to send text messages, make calls, or even dial 0 in an emergency. Some older 4G-compatible mobile phones will also no longer be supported.
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Telstra will stop 3G on August 31, Optus on September 1, while TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already stopped it.
Australia’s mobile network operators say the move will boost the capacity, speed and reliability of the latest 4G and 5G networks.
Optus will give away 20,000 free handsets to customers in financial difficulty and vulnerable customers who are finding it difficult to replace their existing models.
Letters have been sent to eligible customers, while the company has also rolled out special offers to encourage Australians to upgrade.
“We know that many of the affected customers are actually using a 4G mobile phone and are switching to 3G for calls, so it is vital that these customers understand the importance of upgrading their mobile devices when notified,” said Harvey Wright, head of new products at Optus.
Other providers have followed a similar rollout plan – with closure expected to take several years – and customers should look for a deal that works for them.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) is urging customers, especially those at risk of isolation, to act quickly to ensure they stay connected.
“Whether it’s your everyday mobile phone or the one you keep in a drawer for emergencies, we encourage you to check all your devices to ensure they will be supported once 3G networks are switched off in Australia,” said AMTA CEO Louise Hyland.
Mobile phone users should not dial 0 to check their devices, AMTA suggests Visit her website To see if specific phones will be supported.
“It is important to note that while 3G networks are still up and running, affected mobile devices will continue to connect to any available 3G network while in coverage, to make emergency calls to 0,” Hyland said.
“But once 3G networks are completely shut down, these phones will not be able to make emergency calls.
“It is very important to act now if you know you have an old mobile device and have not yet updated.”
