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The decision to extend the deadline, which was initially scheduled to occur on 30 June, is intended to grant Australians an additional period to upgrade their handsets.
The delay was justified, according to Channa Seneviratne, an executive in charge of networks at Telstra. She stated, “We’ve decided to extend [the deadline] by two months, primarily in response to customer feedback indicating that some of them require additional time to upgrade.”
More than two hundred thousand Telstra customers continue to depend on 3G-only mobile phones, which will no longer operate following the decommissioning of the network, according to recent data.
Furthermore, a subset of older 4G phones is programmed to automatically switch to 3G for emergency communications, which gives rise to apprehensions regarding users being unprepared in the event of an emergency.
It was also highlighted that a proportion of these antiquated mobile devices were obtained illicitly or from foreign sources.
Previously, the federal government warned that around a million Australians across various networks could be affected by the 3G shutdown. However, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that this figure has now been reduced to approximately 400,000.
Telstra’s decision to delay the closure was welcomed by the government, emphasising the importance of ensuring public awareness and understanding of the switchover process.
Related: Telstra adds 400Gbps backbone links between Sydney and Melbourne
To assist customers, Telstra has launched a service allowing users to check their device compatibility by texting “SMS 3 to 3498.” Of those who have used this service, only 10 percent have been advised to upgrade their devices.
The impact of the 3G shutdown will be particularly felt in rural and regional areas where coverage may be limited. Telstra has pledged not to proceed with the closure until 4G coverage equivalence is guaranteed, with completion expected by the end of June.
In addition to affecting personal devices, the network shutdown could also impact various services such as medical alarms and EFTPOS machines.
Telstra customers still needing to upgrade their handsets will soon receive a short voice message reminder when making outgoing calls, urging them to act promptly.
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