The telecommunications company Optus officially switched off its 3G network on Monday, October 28.
More than ten million messages have been sent directly to impacted customers to assist them in updating their handset.
The purpose of doing this, is to boost the capacity, speed, and reliability of their 4G network and roll-out 5G to even more Australians.
Optus customers impacted by this closure have collectively received more than ten million messages encouraging customers to replace their handset to remain connected.
In addition, customers have been exposed to a six-week national public awareness media campaign, as well as targeted Optus social media messaging in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Optus has also offered 20,000 no cost handsets to select customers, including those experiencing financial challenges, as well as other affordable offers as part of the 3G switch off.
Staff in retail outlets across Australia are trained in assisting customers impacted by the 3G switch off to find the right handset for them.
“Our 3G impacted customers have been receiving information from Optus for many months about the need to update their handset. From today this information will take effect as their handsets will stop working,” Optus head of new products Harvey Wright said.
“This will include devices that may have worked on the 4G network but revert to 3G to make 000 calls in an emergency.
“For safety reasons, these devices will no longer be supported on our network consistent with new government regulations.”
Optus does not support handsets that cannot call 000.
“There are huge benefits to switching off this old technology for our 4G and 5G networks. Customers will have a better experience on our network once the switch off has occurred,” he said.
Felix Harding is a Greater Shepparton Secondary College student currently completing work experience with The News.