When 3G was launched back in 2006, Australians used their mobile devices for calls, texting and accessing basic information online. Today, demand for mobile data is growing by 30% each year and, as consumers’ technology and use cases change, they need a network that’s fit for today and the future.
To make way for the future, Telstra is closing its 3G mobile network (850Mhz band) on 30th June 2024. Once we have closed the 3G network, we will repurpose the spectrum to expand our 5G network. This is in line with global trends with the increased adoption of newer 4G and now 5G services, usage of 3G has declined globally.
Telstra Wholesale started discussing 3G switch-off and upgrade to 4G with our Mobile Virtual Network Operator customers (MVNOs) in October 2019. We are working with MVNOs to help identify consumers with non-compliant devices so that they can upgrade and avoid the loss of their service.
Our networks teams are working on expanding our 4G and 5G network capabilities to provide customers with the best possible experience. We are working towards equivalent 4G coverage to 3G only area before we switch off the 3G network.
Your network experience should improve, and in most cases, you’ll notice a substantial improvement in speeds when you move from 3G only coverage to 4G coverage. Our 4G service accesses greater bandwidths and is more efficient than 3G, leading to higher end user speeds. The speed you experience is determined by a range of factors including how close you are to a tower, how much traffic the site is carrying, if there’s any obstructions impeding the network (i.e. buildings, hills, vegetation etc.) and what sort of device you’re using
There will be no loss of 3G coverage prior to the closure of the 3G network 30 June 2024. After this date, if the device has not been updated to be 4G or 5G compatible, it will no longer work.
A list of Telstra Wholesale products that will be impacted by the 3G closure is available HERE
Your customer devices may be impacted.
After the 3G closure, if you have a device that is only able to connect to 3G you will be unable to connect to Telstra’s network post the 3G network closure. Likewise, if you have a mobile device that does not have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, even if the mobile device is 4G/5G enabled, it will not be able to make voice calls after 30th June 2024.
We will provide you with information about your customers on the Telstra Wholesale network who may be using a 3G only or non-VoLTE capable 4G devices. This will help enable you to contact your customers as needed to assist them to upgrade to a device that operates on our newer technologies.
What will happen to customer experience post 3G?
- Your network experience should improve, and in most cases, you’ll notice a substantial improvement in speeds when you move from 3G only coverage to 4G coverage. Our 4G service accesses greater bandwidths and is more efficient than 3G, leading to higher end user speeds.
- The speed you experience is determined by a range of factors including how close you are to a tower, how much traffic the site is carrying, if there’s any obstructions impeding the network (i.e. buildings, hills, vegetation etc.) and what sort of device you’re using.
Will 3G be switched off at one time or will it be a phased approach (geographically)?
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. There will be no loss of 3G coverage prior to 30th June 2024.
What advice should I give end users about VoLTE?
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 30th June 2024, VoLTE will be required to make or receive phone calls on the Telstra mobile network. It is important to note that:
- 3G only phones do not have VoLTE; and
- Not all 4G/5G phones have VoLTE and/or are compatible with the Telstra network.
We strongly recommend that if you have a 3G only mobile device, you upgrade to a 4G/5G mobile device that is VoLTE capable and compatible prior to 30th June 2024.
If you already have a 4G/5G mobile device, we strongly recommend that you check that your device is VoLTE capable and compatible.
What MVNOs need to do
You may have customers on the Telstra Wholesale Mobile Network using 3G-only or non-VoLTE capable 4G devices. Those devices will not work after 30th June 2024.
You may also have customers with compatible devices who have not switched on VoLTE in their device settings who may need some support.
We can provide you with lists of affected Services in Operation and we can suggest best-practice wording for those communications, to make the transition to 4G and/or 5G technologies as seamless as possible.
After 30th June 2024, can you guarantee consumers will have 4G coverage where they currently only have 3G?
In areas that currently only have 3G coverage we are working hard to upgrade and ensure equivalent 4G coverage before the 3G network is switched off. We are committed to matching our 3G coverage on 4G by June 2024.
It should be noted that equivalence depends on using equivalent devices and/or equivalent coverage extension devices in the same manner. For example a 4G phone in a car’s centre console can’t be compared to a 3G phone on a dashboard mount in the same vehicle. It is important to note that due to design differences, some devices may perform better than others, which can be observed as a change in perceived coverage. Users upgrading from 3G are encouraged to speak to their electronics retailer or device manufacturer for recommendations on devices to suit their needs, particularly if they live in a rural or regional area.
Will the quality of coverage be the same?
Your network experience should improve, and in most cases, you’ll notice a substantial improvement in speeds when you move from 3G only coverage to 4G coverage. Our 4G service accesses greater bandwidths and is more efficient than 3G, leading to higher end user speeds.
The speed you experience is determined by a range of factors including how close you are to a tower, how much traffic the site is carrying, if there’s any obstructions impeding the network (i.e. buildings, hills, vegetation etc.) and what sort of device you’re using.
How does the use of different spectrum bands affect coverage?
Our 4G coverage utilises several frequency bands including the 700 MHZ spectrum. This spectrum is ‘low band spectrum’, and has similar coverage properties to the 850 MHZ spectrum which is currently used to provide 3G coverage. Only very minor coverage impacts are anticipated from this change.
We want to work with you to ensure you are supported during the closure of our 3G network. We will be providing regular updates to our Wholesale customers from now until the closure on 30 June 2024. We are here to ensure you have as much support as you require from Telstra Wholesale.