3G Network Service Closure
End of the line for 3G
3G Network Service Closure
End of the line for 3G
3G Network Shutdown is 30th June 2024
What does this mean for me?
Your device must support VoLTE voice calling to make voice calls, and support VoLTE emergency calling to make an emergency calls to 000.
- If you have a device that can only use 3G, you won’t be able to connect to Telstra's network after 30 June 2024.
- If your mobile device doesn't have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, even if it uses 4G data, it will not be able to make voice calls on our network after 30 June 2024.
- Not all VoLTE enabled devices support emergency VoLTE calling, meaning they will not be able to make an emergency call to 000 once 3G closes.
- If we contacted you about this, your device is affected. Without taking the recommended action you won't be able to connect to a network after 30 June 2024.
Try our new SMS device checker tool.
For Telstra customers: To find out if your mobile phone is impacted SMS 3 to 3498.
What should I do now?
Select your device type and follow the steps to stay connected.
VoLTE compatible phones and wearables sold by Telstra after January 2019 do not need any action. For other devices, follow these steps:
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Check for 4G or 5G
The first step to check if your device is compatible is to look for ‘4G’ or ‘5G’ on the screen.
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Check for VoLTE
Voice calls on 4G need a VoLTE-capable device on 700 MHz (Band 28).
For Telstra customers: To find out if your mobile phone is impacted SMS 3 to 3498.
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Check your settings
Check your device network is set to ‘automatic’ and VoLTE is enabled. Follow these steps:
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Need a new phone?
If your device only shows ‘3G’, or it's not VoLTE-capable, you need to replace it to stay connected.
Many smart watches and wearables can operate in “standalone” mode. This means you can make and receive calls or use data without having to carry a smartphone.
While most smart watches and wearables are 4G-compatible, some do not support our main 4G frequency band, 700 MHz (also known as B28). Once we turn off 3G, you may still be able to use data or make voice calls using the cellular feature on your smart watch, but the service may work intermittently.
Some kids smart watches are simply not compatible at all, and would need to be replaced. Explore devices
When your smart watch or wearable is connected to your mobile handset via Bluetooth, your experience will be based on your handset’s network capability.
Impacted devices include:
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Galaxy Watch
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2.
Newer Apple and Samsung watches with cellular capability do support 4G on 700MHz (Band 28).
Check your device manual or search online to determine which 4G frequencies your device supports.
NextG Wireless Link (NGWL) uses our mobile network to provide home phone services to some customers in remote and rural Australia.
Where NGWL utilises the 3G network, we’ll upgrade those services to be 4G compatible before the 3G closure.
Most customers will be migrated to a 4G solution, which includes our Smart Modem and a compatible antenna.
NGWL upgrades started in 2023 and we’ll be in touch shortly with more information, before scheduling an appointment to upgrade your service.
Read more about the new equipment you'll need to continue your home or business phone service.
3G Internet of Things (IoT) devices will no longer connect to our mobile network from 30 June 2024.
We urge you to replace those devices now, well in advance of the closure date.
Telstra has a broad range of 4G IoT devices already certified and available. Speak to your Telstra representative to discuss the device alternatives that best fit your requirements.
Telstra has certified a wide range of compatible devices, with new devices being added monthly. These include:
- EFTPOS terminals
- Industrial routers
- Scanners
- Security monitoring
- Telematics
- Asset Tracking
- Environment monitoring.
Learn more about Telstra IoT/M2M Certified Embedded Modules and Integrated Devices (PDF, 394KB)
Please encourage your device manufacturer or IoT service provider to have their portfolio Telstra Network-certified by contacting us at telstrawirelessm2mhardware@team.telstra.com, or ask your Telstra representative for more information.
We’re unable to comment on the timings for individual device manufacturers. However, we strongly recommend you discuss the benefits of the Telstra IoT Advantage and Device Certification programs as an integral part of your Business Continuity Plan with your IoT hardware supplier.
Antennas are designed for a certain band or frequency. Using an antenna that isn't compatible with the right frequency in your location will impact your service and performance.
Here are a couple of ways to check your antenna:
- The elements on a 3G-only antenna are typically all the same length, where a 4G-capable antenna has elements of varying length and is arrow shaped.
- Check the labels on your antenna. If you see a code starting with an 8, or one with frequencies starting with an 8, they are 3G-only. 824 to 890 MHz is 3G-only.
- If you have the make and model, look up your antenna specifications. Check they cover the 4G frequency band ranges for:
- Band 28 (Frequency range 703 to 803MHz)
- Band 3 (Frequency range 1710 to 1880MHz).
We also encourage you to check your GO Repeater settings.
Telstra GO Repeaters (GO G31, GO G41 and GO ROAM R41) operate on both 3G and 4G and will not be impacted when 3G closes on 30 June 2024. However, in some instances they may have been configured to only operate on 3G.
To check your GO Repeater settings:
- Download the CEL-FI WAVE app from Google Play or the Apple App Store on your smartphone
- Open the app and ensure you're close to your GO Repeater so it can connect via bluetooth
- Select Settings
- Choose Band settings
- Under Technology, select 4G if not already selected.
Once the 3G network closes, any device that can only connect to 3G will no longer be able to send a signal, initiate a data session, voice call or send an SMS.
To be clear, if somebody needs medical help and presses an alert button that relies on 3G, the alert will not be sent. This could delay emergency response.
If your device supports 4G, in most cases it will continue to work. However, if it can make or receive voice calls, you'll also need to check with the supplier you purchased it from whether it supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE). Some older devices do not support voice over the 4G network.
If you do have a 3G-only device, or one that doesn't support VoLTE, changing the SIM doesn't affect the device’s ability to access the 4G network. We recommend you contact your supplier as soon as possible to upgrade.
How will Telstra help me with the transition or device replacement?
If you are using a 3G device and need help transitioning or finding a suitable replacement mobile device, please follow your organisations process to upgrade to a compatible device.
Telstra Enterprise Customers can self-serve a device replacement through Telstra Order Express or your Telstra Partner. Alternatively, reach out to our our team at 3gnetworkclosure@team.telstra.com and we will be happy to help you.
Frequently asked questions
How does this affect me
No, as we will no longer have 3G mobile coverage from 30th June 2024.
Mobile devices have special roaming capabilities when calling Triple Zero (000). In instances where another carrier has 3G coverage, you may still be able to make a 000 call. However, it’s important to note that other carriers are likewise closing their 3G network in similar timeframes to Telstra.
We strongly encourage all customers to ensure that they have a 4G/5G VoLTE capable and compatible device before 30th June 2024. We also have more information about enabling VoLTE (Voice over LTE) on your mobile phone.
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) lets you make phone calls over our 4G (LTE) network. Your mobile device will use 4G to make and receive these calls in areas where 4G (LTE) is available. When our 3G network closes on 30 June 2024, VoLTE will be required to make or receive phone calls on the Telstra mobile network. It’s important to note that:
- 3G phones do not have VoLTE; and
- not all 4G phones have VoLTE and/or are compatible with the Telstra network.
If you have a 3G mobile device, you must upgrade to a 4G/5G mobile device that is VoLTE capable and compatible prior to 30 June 2024.
If you already have a 4G mobile device, we strongly recommend that you check that your device is VoLTE capable and compatible. Find out how to check and enable VoLTE.
To use VoLTE, you'll need a 4G device which is VoLTE-capable. It will also need to be compatible with the following technology and bands:
- Required: 4G 700 MHz (B28),
- Optional: 4G 1800 MHz (B3) banding.
No, 3G-only mobile devices will not work on Telstra’s 4G network. Contact us for help with any concerns about changing devices or technology types.
In areas that currently only have a 3G signal, we’re committed to providing 4G coverage before the closure of the 3G network.
We’ve been rapidly rolling out and adjusting our 4G and 5G networks over the past few years to ensure we have equivalent coverage available ahead of the 3G closure.
This involves upgrading all existing 3G sites with 4G technology, adding new 4G sites, and optimising others to create equivalent 4G coverage in areas that 3G coverage exists today. As we approach 3G closure, further changes in network software will also be made to optimise our existing 4G.
To access the benefits of our 4G network, you need to be using compatible devices. This includes using appropriate devices for your requirements – for example, if currently using a Blue Tick 3G device you’ll need a Blue Tick 4G device, or if currently relying on a 3G T-Go or TMSA coverage extension device, you’ll need an equivalent 4G device to ensure equivalent coverage.
Our 3G network will remain open until 30 June 2024.
While it’s not quite as simple as flicking a switch, the closure will commence from 30th June 2024 and is likely to happen relatively quickly. We will confirm our closure schedule close to the closure date, but there will be no loss of 3G coverage prior to 30th June 2024.
Additional resources
What this means for you
Global 3G decline
With the increased adoption of newer 4G and now 5G services, usage of 3G has declined globally
Network migration
We will decommission our 3G coverage in 2024. Grab this opportunity to migrate to faster and advanced services. Your 3G only devices will not work and your non-4G voice calling enabled 4G devices will not be able to make voice calls after this date.
Greater opportunities
With the increased adoption of newer 4G and now 5G servicLeveraging our mobile network infrastructure, our Cellular Low Power Wide Area Networks (Cellular LPWANs) are built specifically for scaled IoT deployments to give you better, cost-efficient coverage.es, usage of 3G has declined globally
Guided transition
Contact your Telstra representative and plan your migration now.
Times, Transitions and Technology Evolution
1987
1G (AMPS) only allowed for mobile phone voice calling
1992
2G (GSM) combined voice, SMS, and MMS on a digital network. It enabled the growth of mobile communications to the mass market and offered improved security compared to 1G
2005
3G (WCDMA/HSPA) the foundation of mobile broadband and also supported voice, data, basic internet access and video calls
2011
4G (LTE) offered higher data speeds than 3G, enabling full internet access, video streaming, higher resolution video calling and IP telephony (voice over UTE). Improved IOT capabilities (NS-IOT and LTE-M) were enabled in 4G
2019/20
5G promises even higher data speeds, more capacity, lower latency and more connectivity than 4G. AI, Cloud apps, automation, massive sensor networks and IOT will all be supported by 5G
What you need to consider
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Step 1: Start a dialogue
Get in touch with your Telstra client executive to discuss potential solutions
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Step 2: Take stock of devices
Identify the number of enterprise devices that are on 3G only or do not support 4G voice calling
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Step 3: Identify your needs
Know the unique requirements of your business and choose solutions tailored for you
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Step 4: Set a timeline
Work with your client executive to plan and define a comfortable transition timeline for you
Why choose Telstra?
Our history
We were the first to introduce 4G, gigabit capacity, LTE-B and have already transitioned millions of customers to advanced networks.
Our expertise
With our expertise, we can guide your transition from 3G to newer 4G and 5G services.
Our footprint
We already offer 4GX coverage to 99.2% of Australian customers.
Discover our mobile and IoT ready services to help your business in migrating from 3G
Internet of Things
Discover what our range of IOT service can help your business.
Enterprise Mobility
A range of fleet and mobile plans to enable a cost effective, mobilised workforce.
Mobile network coverage
Australia's largest mobile network, with greater reliability and faster speeds in more places.
Enterprise Plans and Devices
See what our range of 5G devices can do for your mobile workforce or office of the future.
Learn more about the Telstra 3G shutdown
The 3G Network closure is coming
Telstra announced in October 2019 that it would be shutting down its 3G network in June 2024. It's time to consider the complexities and challenges affecting Internet of Things (IoT) applications for those who have not yet begun this migration journey.
3G Shutdown & IoT: Why you need to migrate your devices now!
Telstra announced in October 2019 that it would be shutting down its 3G network in June 2024. For context, that announcement is already two years old and at the time of writing, only two and a half years or 31 months remain for our customers to transition their devices and services to 4G, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT networks.