Pressure is increasing on the Federal Communications Minister to intervene and delay the 3G Mobile Network shutdown as it’s revealed one million devices will be affected.
Senator Malcolm Roberts said “the next CrowdStrike style disaster” is around the corner with the looming shutdown of the network.
“Telstra, Optus and TPG confirmed a total of one million devices will be affected next month when the network is taken offline.
“This disaster is still looming despite the telco companies claiming they’ve completed a huge education and public awareness campaign.
“The Communications Minister must intervene and defer the planned shutdown of the 3G network.
“Affected devices also include more than 50,000 4G mobiles and an unknown number of pacemakers still reliant on the 3G network to call 000. The shutdown is still a matter of life and death.
“While telcos claim to have done all they can to make mobile owners aware, the Senate Inquiry has heard witness after witness testify that very few people realise how many other critical devices rely on 3G and will be useless in just over a month.
“These affected devices include water and power meters, medical refrigeration units, agriculture equipment, pacemakers, medical alarms, airport lifts and many others.”
Senator Roberts said witnesses across two days of public hearings at the One Nation initiated Senate Inquiry included the Royal Flying Doctor Service which was sounding the alarm on behalf of regional communities, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the country’s largest business network, government complaints authorities, technical experts and many others.
“The Minister will be responsible for CrowdStrike 2.0 in just over a month unless she immediately makes it clear she will intervene and put the public interest before telco profits.”
Once the networks are shut down, all 3G devices and some older 4G models won’t be able to make emergency calls to 000 on any Australian network.
Australia has used 3G networks since the early 2000s, but now most mobile usage is on faster 4G and 5G networks.
The 3G closures will allow operators to reallocate the spectrum and enhance 4G and 5G experiences nationwide.
Telstra will close its 3G network on August 31, and Optus will start its 3G closure in September.
You can check your device by texting ‘3’ to 3498, or by visiting ‘check my device’ at 3Gclosure.com.au.
You can also contact your service provider for more information, or to find a suitable upgrade option.
For more information, visit 3Gclosure.com.au or contact your mobile network operator.