As well as mobile phones, devices such as personal medical alarms, wearable health monitors and glucose data transmitters may be impacted. If you’ve had advice from your service provider that your device is impacted, you must take urgent action to stay connected.
About the 3G network closure
Since 2019, Australia’s mobile network operators have been getting ready to close their 3G networks. The 3G network closure will boost the capacity, speed and reliability of 4G and 5G networks.
Telstra and Optus switched off their 3G networks on 28 October 2024 following TPG Telecom/Vodafone.
Service providers have been contacting customers with affected devices. If you have been contacted, you must take urgent action to stay connected.
Impacted devices
Older devices that rely only on 3G for data transmission or to make calls are more likely to be at risk. These devices can no longer access data, send texts, make calls or contact triple-0.
To check if your mobile phone is affected, you can:
- contact your mobile service provider (eg. Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom/Vodafone)
- check your mobile phone by texting ‘3’ to the number ‘3498’
- enter your 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number into the ‘Check My Device’ .
This change also affects some 4G products that still rely on 3G services to make emergency calls.
Some of the devices regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration that may be affected. This includes:
- monitoring devices for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT)
- pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)
- glucose data transmitters
- continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy machines
- telehealth devices
- wearable health monitors
- portable automated external defibrillators (AED)
- other medical devices that rely on 3G network.
Other products not regulated by the TGA but may also be affected by the 3G network closure include:
- personal safety pendants
- fall detection systems
- home security alarms
- GPS tracking devices (for elderly or vulnerable individuals)
- smartwatches with emergency features
- non-medical alert systems
- automated medication dispensers
- basic emergency response devices
- mobile communication devices used by care providers.
If you think your medical or safety device may be impacted, contact the supplier. You may need to replace your device.
More information
For further information and advice, visit the 3G closure .
Reviewed 06 December 2024