News of the closure of the 3G network has been known for a while, but Optus has plans to keep small parts open until 4G is ready.
Even though the 4G network has been a thing in Australia for well over a decade, many Australians still rely on 3G phones. It’s a problem, and one that’s currently hitting fever pitch well and truly, particularly given the news from every major Australian telco: the 3G network is shutting down.
The closure of 3G isn’t itself new news. That’s been known since before this year, when Vodafone planned to shut down 3G first at the end of 2023, with Telstra next on the list and Optus at the end.
Every telco has been proactive in telling affected customers to make the switch to a new or supported phone, with Telstra going the extra step and adding a text messaging number to check whether your phone is supported (text “3” to 3498), as well as offering free 4G phones for up to 12,000 affected Australians.
Telstra, however, is going ahead and shutting down the 3G network at the end of August 31. That’s the deadline we’re told, with the telco persisting in the advice that it will have 4G parity with 3G spots at the time of deadline.
Optus’ 3G shutdown deadline is practically the same, with September 1 being more or less the same as Telstra’s August 31. However, Optus appears to have a different line regarding its 3G network.
“In a very small number of areas where 4G coverage is not yet available, rest assured, we will not be shutting off 3G until a replacement 4G service is available,” said Harvey Wright, Head of New Products at Optus.
In short, if 4G doesn’t reach where 3G previously did at Optus, the 3G network will stay online until 4G does work.
Optus is offering the same text message service as Telstra to find out whether your phone is supported, allowing customers to send the number three (3) to 3498 to find out, affording customers that little bit of knowledge ahead of the shutdown.
However, Optus customers do need to act quickly, because with the end of August in sight in less than two months, 3G’s days are seriously numbered. Even the slight reprieve that is 4G not quite being up to 3G’s range won’t last long, as Optus attempts to plug the gaps.
