If you’re an Optus customer worried about the impending 3G shutdown, you may qualify for a free phone to ease some of that pressure.
With September not far off, the end of the 3G network is clearly in sight, affecting both of the remaining 3G supported networks: Telstra and Optus.
Telstra is earmarked for shutdown after an extension, set to pull the plug on August 31, and Optus may as well be the same with September 1 marking the end of the 3G network.
Throughout the past few months, we’ve seen initiatives to try and help people make the transition, notably in the form of a messaging service to check whether you’re at risk, a recorded message on outbound calls using the 3G network, and even free phones for thousands of affected individuals. Telstra seems to have been doing the most to help, but Optus is joining in at the finish line, and will have an initiative or two of its own.
For starters, there’s the recent news that the 3G network won’t be completely shutdown if 4G isn’t at parity in parts of the country. That’s the case for Optus, which noted that in the past week, distinct from Telstra’s promise to have parity by the time the August 31 date arrives.
Optus is this week also joining in on the free phone concept, announcing that it will be providing 20,000 free handsets to customers experiencing challenges replacing a phone in the move from 3G to 4G.
Don’t expect this to mean a free iPhone or anything like it, but rather a 4G-capable mobile provided at no cost to those struggling to make the upgrade, whether they’re in financial distress, the elderly, or experiencing hardship in some other way. Optus wouldn’t say what the phones were, but did tell Pickr that “we work with the customer on finding the right device for them, but it is a 4G/5G compatible device”.
The release of 20,000 free phones by Optus will be joined by some major discounts for affected individuals, offering impacted customers select mobile handsets at $1 per month on a 24 or 36 month contract, while postpaid customers will be able to get up to $400 off any handset.
Optus notes that theoretically means that if a phone it sells can be found for $400 or less, it could essentially be free when purchased over a period of 24 or 36 months. Going from what’s on the Optus site, that could include the Moto G54 and Oppo A54, among others.
“There are no-cost handsets, special discounts, budget offers and more for customers impacted by the 3G switch off as we fast approach the Optus deadline,” said Harvey Wright, Head of New Products at Optus.
“This is all about keeping customers connected, so please engage with us to upgrade your handset,” he said.
The telco notes that it is currently sending text messages to eligible customers for the free handsets, with these being different from the other 3G warning messages sent out.
“We have already sent millions of messages directly to impacted customers, established support measures to understand if your handset needs to be upgraded, offered special deals and we also have trained professional staff only a phone call away and in our retail outlets ready to assist,” said Wright.
