It’s the end of an internet era, with the nation’s major telecommunications providers announcing that 3G will begin phasing out within months.
While most smartphones are already connected to 4G and 5G services, a number of devices could require urgent action to remain connected.
Medical monitoring devices, baby monitors, EFTPOS machines, security cameras and smartwatches are some of the devices that might still be reliant on 3G.
Vodafone will be the first to switch off 3G this year, rolling out the change on December 15.
Telstra will shut off 3G in June next year, and Optus will say goodbye to the third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology in September next year.
Even emergency triple-0 calls will no longer be possible on impacted devices.
That is why Telstra’s NSW regional general manager Mike Maron told 7NEWS: “It’s certainly really important to make sure that you make that change (to 4G or 5G) prior to June 2024.”
3G was introduced to the world in 2003, bringing with it a faster data rate, more secure encryption algorithms, and more efficient use of the radio bands it operates on.
“3G has done a fantastic job,” Maron said. “It was there to give us voice calls, text messages and also some light internet browsing.”
But now 20 years on it has since been superseded by more advanced technology, as online behaviour and internet demand drastically changes worldwide.
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are all generations of wireless mobile telecommunications technology, which operates using radio frequencies.
The “G” stands for generation, and the number corresponds with each upgraded iteration of the technology. 1G and 2G have already been phased out.
3G is being phased out because the technology is no longer in demand.
Data consumption is increasing by more than 30 per cent each year, largely through streaming in hi-definition, a change which meant 3G is “not fit for purpose anymore,” according to Maron.
There is only a finite amount of radio frequencies, which are auctioned out to telecommunications providers by the Australian government.
By using the radio frequencies that 3G currently runs on, and repurposing it for more advanced technology, providers can offer better service to the customers using that in-demand technology, without needing to acquire new frequencies.
The technical term for the process happening behind-the-scenes is called “re-farming” — when a specific mobile radio frequency band is repurposed from one technology to another.
“We want to use the platform that 3G is on, and put that into our 4G and 5G networks,” Maron told 7NEWS.
“Rather than lose that frequency and that spectrum, we re-harvest it into our 4G and 5G network.”
How to stay connected
If your mobile device is compatible with 4G, it is likely set to automatically shift to 4G operation.
“In some cases, though, devices may have been locked to a band and/or network — for example, our 3G network using 850 MHz spectrum,” Optus said on its website.
People with 4G compatible Apple devices can check this in Settings > Mobile > Mobile data options > Voice and data. Users can then select “automatic”. If automatic isn’t an option, select 4G.
Those with 4G compatible Android devices can check this in Settings > Network and Internet> Mobile network > Preferred network type. Users can then select “automatic”. If automatic isn’t an option, select 4G.
4G devices will also need to support VoLTE, which also operates on the affected frequencies. Users can enable VoLTE in Settings > Mobile > Mobile data options > Select Enable 4G > Select Voice & data. If available, turn on VoLTE.
If you are unsure about whether your phone is completely reliant on 3G, and will therefore be impacted by the re-farming, give your phone manufacturer a call. They might require your phone’s unique code — your IMEI code — which you can find by dialling *#06#.
If your device is 3G dependent, you will have to upgrade to access network capabilities.
For emergency calls and medical monitoring, this is particularly important.
Aside from mobile phones, there are a number of devices that could require an upgrade — and users are advised to contact the device manufacturers before it is too late.
“Anyone that has a medical monitoring device should check with their supplier to understand if they need to upgrade those devices,” Maron said.
“Merchants should check with their banks because a lot of the transaction machines out there are still 3G.”