Australia is on the verge of a major telecommunications shift with the planned shutdown of its 3G network, originally slated for July 2024. However, a startling realization has delayed the closure, exposing a grave issue: millions of 4G and 5G devices will be unable to place emergency calls without an active 2G or 3G network. This unforeseen complication has triggered a wave of concern, leading to a pushback on the shutdown.
Despite this, the Australian government and telecommunications companies are moving forward with plans to terminate 3G services. In fact, new laws are now in place that will require telecom providers to ensure that every device connected to their network fully supports emergency calling, including via Voice over LTE (VoLTE). But here’s the catch: even if you have a modern 4G or 5G phone, it might soon be blocked from Australian networks if it doesn’t meet these stringent requirements.
The upcoming 3G shutdown could make Australia the first—and potentially the only—country in the world to fully eliminate both 2G and 3G networks. Instead, the country will be forced to rely entirely on VoLTE, an unstandardized calling system. As other nations prepare for similar shutdowns in the coming years, all eyes are on Australia to see how the fallout unfolds.
The Hidden Risks: Not All Devices are Ready for the Future
The issue isn’t immediately apparent to most Australians. Phone carriers and industry bodies, like the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), have largely downplayed the potential fallout of the 3G shutdown. Many users are unaware that even if they own a 4G or 5G device, it could rely on 3G for voice calls. In fact, some devices, including modern phones like the Sony Xperia (which supports 5G), are still using 3G networks for calls—despite being marketed as cutting-edge.
The problem lies in the reliance on VoLTE, which is not a standardized system across devices and networks. Unlike the old 2G and 3G systems, which used circuit-switched calling methods, VoLTE depends on a series of factors for calls to work, including device compatibility, SIM card provisioning, and network support. To make matters worse, VoLTE isn’t universally supported—many phones, even those capable of 4G or 5G, don’t have full VoLTE support.
To make matters more complicated, some phones can’t even place emergency calls over VoLTE, either due to technical restrictions or because the device wasn’t designed to support such calls. This has sparked growing concerns over the safety of millions of Australians who may find themselves unable to call emergency services when they need it the most.
The Consequences: A Potential Crisis in the Making
In the worst-case scenario, the 3G shutdown could cause millions of phones, including internationally purchased devices, to lose the ability to make emergency calls. This would render many older devices, or even newer models from certain manufacturers, useless in Australia, despite being fully functional for other uses.
Already, some users have experienced confusion when being told by telecom providers that their 5G phones would be rendered obsolete by the shutdown—only to be told months later that the devices would, in fact, work. With over a million devices possibly affected, the result could be mass confusion, unnecessary replacements, and a significant increase in electronic waste.
The real kicker is that telecom providers are using this shutdown as an opportunity to push customers to upgrade to newer devices. As 5G networks roll out and telcos push the latest technology, consumers may feel compelled to buy new devices, even when their existing phones are fully capable of operating on 4G networks.
This raises significant questions about consumer rights, transparency, and the ethics of telecom companies exploiting such a situation to sell more devices. Some experts argue that the shutdown could lead to a monopoly over phone sales, as customers will have no choice but to buy new devices from telcos or major retailers in Australia.
James’ Battle: Fighting to Save the 3G Network
James, a telecommunications expert, has been at the forefront of the battle to delay the 3G shutdown. He became aware of the issue in 2023 and has been working tirelessly to warn the government and the public about the impending dangers. His efforts have included making submissions to government inquiries, writing articles, and testifying at hearings to highlight the risks posed by the shutdown, particularly for older devices and international phones.
James points out that the telecom industry has been downplaying the scope of the issue. For example, it was only recently revealed that several hundred thousand industrial and farm devices, which rely on 3G networks, could be rendered useless by the shutdown. Even more troubling, some devices, including recent iPhone models, won’t work on certain networks due to differences in modem hardware and network compatibility.
According to James, the shutdown could lead to mass e-waste and unnecessary device replacements, particularly for users who have purchased phones from overseas or unlocked phones that aren’t tied to Australian networks. The lack of standardization for VoLTE further complicates the situation, as different carriers, networks, and devices may have different levels of support for emergency calling.
A Global Experiment: What Other Countries Are Doing
Australia’s approach is unique in that it plans to eliminate both 2G and 3G networks. While other countries have already phased out 3G (such as the UK), they still maintain 2G networks for emergency calls. The UK, for example, is expected to keep its 2G network until at least 2033. This makes Australia’s move unprecedented and raises important questions about the long-term effects on connectivity, especially in rural or remote areas.
Countries like India have taken a more flexible approach to the issue, creating apps that allow devices that don’t fully support VoLTE to still make calls. But Australian telcos have shown little interest in creating such solutions, which further exacerbates the problem. Critics argue that the decision to proceed with the shutdown without addressing these issues properly is primarily financially motivated—driven by a desire to sell more phones and capitalize on the rollout of 5G.
The Push for Consumer Choice and Transparency
James is not alone in his fight for consumer choice and transparency. He and other advocates are calling for more open communication from telcos about which devices will continue to work after the shutdown. They argue that the public deserves to know the full extent of the impact the 3G shutdown will have on their devices and emergency services.
For those who want to check whether their device will continue to work after the shutdown, James has developed a test that helps determine if your phone supports VoLTE for emergency calls. While it’s not foolproof, it provides a valuable insight into the compatibility of various devices with the upcoming network changes.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As the 3G shutdown draws nearer, Australians face an uncertain future. The potential for millions of devices to lose emergency calling capabilities is a serious concern that needs to be addressed before it’s too late. With new legislation on the horizon and increasing pressure from consumer rights groups, the next few months will be critical in determining the fate of the 3G shutdown.
Consumers must demand more transparency from telcos, greater support for legacy devices, and better safeguards for emergency services. This situation has highlighted the growing tension between technology advancements and the rights of consumers who may be left behind as telecom providers push for profit-driven decisions.
As Australia moves forward with the 3G shutdown, the world will be watching closely to see what happens—and whether the country’s experiment in cutting-edge telecommunications leads to unintended consequences.
