Goodbye 3G! This country will soon turn off 3G networks for good

3G networks went live in India way back in 2008, but elsewhere it began much earlier in 2001. Most countries now have 5G, while a few are already testing 6G capabilities to become future-proof. One of these countries, which introduced 3G in 2003 — about five years before it debuted in India, is finally turning it off for good.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced it will shut down 3G networks in the next three to four months, becoming the latest country to do so. Vodafone’s Australian wing TPG Telecom has already switched off its 3G network, but two other leading companies — Telstra and Optus — are planning to deactivate 3G this year. Telstra has set the deadline for August 31, while Optus has said it will sunset 3G in the subsequent days without mentioning an exact date.

Who will be affected?

Telecom subscribers of Telstra and Optus in Australia with 4G devices that do not support VoLTE and rely on 3G networks may need to upgrade their devices as early as possible. Both companies will begin sending instructions to their subscribers in the coming days on how they can migrate to existing networks while informing them about 3G deactivation. According to ACMA, 4G handsets purchases overseas are more prone to the upcoming network change.

Another government body, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) said other 3G devices, such as tablets, smartwatches, EFTPOS machines, medical alarms, and personal emergency response systems, will also be affected by the 3G deactivation. The association has urged users to switch to modern devices, which support at least 4G, to prevent interruption in services. It is also running a programme where users can recycle their old and soon-to-be-defunct mobile phones to prevent e-waste.

India did it already

On the other hand, India has already turned off 3G and shifted to 5G in a matter of few years. The leading telecom companies, such as Airtel, Vi (previously Vodafone Idea), and BSNL no longer offer 3G services, while Jio started off with a 4G network.