The recent 3G shutdown has left many regional Australians with worse connectivity, despite earlier assurances they would not be affected.
In some areas, residents have completely lost the ability to make calls after the 3G switchover and are now being told to spend their own money on aftermarket antennas.
Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, raised these concerns in Parliament, asking the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP, whether the government would acknowledge these issues and take action.
In response, Rowland admitted the concerns were “very real” and stated, “these technical benefits won’t be realised if people don’t actually have coverage under that new technology.”
The 3G switchover was meant to improve services by repurposing the spectrum for newer technology. However, many regional residents have instead seen their coverage decline, with some struggling to maintain basic connectivity.
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Rowland acknowledged that “there are multiple complaints from customers, particularly in regional areas, who have seen gratuitous coverage diminish and who have seen their services overall being challenged.”
“The Government has stressed to the carriers that the benefits of the 3G switchover really need to be demonstrated, and, while it is a fact of physics the switchover is completed, there needs to be focus now on the consumer welfare.”
To address these concerns, Rowland has convened industry regulators, mobile carriers, and consumer groups to review the switchover’s impact. The government has also stressed to mobile providers that they must demonstrate the benefits of the transition.
“I’m happy to inform the Member that, while obviously it is concerning to hear those reports happening in regional areas, I am monitoring this very closely.”
“I’ve made it clear to service providers the expectation that the 3G switchover will deliver on these benefits,” Rowland said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are investigating whether service providers accurately represented coverage before and after the shutdown.
In response to ongoing concerns, Telstra has set up a dedicated 3G hotline, and Rowland has formally requested weekly reports to track progress.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
