Telstra will shut down its 3G network and begin blocking unsupported devices early on the morning of Monday, October 28th, 2024. This is in compliance with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Emergency Call Service Determination, which requires all mobile devices to support emergency calls (Triple Zero – 000) even during network outages. The ACMA sent an announcement out today which is copied below:
The ACMA has made new rules for telcos which come into effect on 28 October 2024. This timing coincides with the shutdown of the Telstra and Optus 3G networks in Australia.
The new rules require telcos to:
- Identify mobile phones unable to access Triple Zero, including through emergency ‘camp-on’ arrangements
- Notify customers with mobile phones unable to access the emergency call service
- Not supply carriage services to mobile phones identified as being unable to access the emergency call service
- Give information and assistance to customers to access alternative low cost or no-cost mobile phones, and
- Update payment assistance policies to set out arrangements by which financial hardship customers can receive assistance to obtain a low cost or no-cost mobile phone.
These rules were made through the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Amendment Determination 2024. It inserts a new Part 4 into the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination 2019.
The Explanatory Statement for the Amendment Determination can be found here
Impacted Devices
Due to the 3G network shutdown, all handset devices that rely on 3G for voice calls or emergency calls will be blocked. This includes devices with the following technical capabilities:
- 3G only
- Non-VoLTE (4G data, 3G voice)
- VoLTE but require 3G for Triple Zero (000) calls
Why is this happening?
The ACMA has introduced these regulations to ensure the reliability and accessibility of Triple Zero (000) for all Australians, particularly in light of the 3G network shutdown. Devices that cannot make emergency calls over 4G or Wi-Fi will no longer be permitted on the Telstra network.
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