3G shutdown still a “ticking timebomb”, experts say

It’s been delayed again and again, but experts say far too many people are still unprepared for the shutdown of the 3G communications network, calling it a “ticking time bomb”.

Lives could be lost when people when their medical alert devices fail or they can’t make 000 calls after the 3G network is finally shutdown on 28 October, says the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

ACANN CEO Carol Bennet says she applauds Telstra and Optus’ decision to extend the deadline again, but that too many people don’t even realise their devices will stop working.

“Many people are simply unaware that devices like insulin pumps, heart rate monitors and personal safety alarms may all be impacted by the shutdown of 3G networks by Telstra and Optus. It is a major health risk,” she says.

The 3G network has been the backbone of Australia’s wireless phone and internet services for more than two decades now – since 2003 in fact – and has revolutionised the way we communicate.

It brought wireless internet to our phones for the first time, allowing us to not just send messages, but send emails, browse the web and access media in a way none of us ever had before.

It spawned a whole new world of internet-connected devices, from the tablet to the smart watch to fridges that can order your groceries for you (if you want that). 3G changed the way businesses operated, allowing just about every retailer and sole trader to take card payments.

The new network also opened up a whole new world of possibilities on the medical front. Patients could be monitored remotely and at all times, medication could be controlled and dispensed, and all kinds of medical alert devices were made possible by the new 3G infrastructure.

But Ms Bennet says medical devices are poorly regulated in Australia, and manufacturers are not required to contact patients if their devices are at risk of failing. There are also very few recording or reporting requirement for such events, making it hard for patients to research their device’s compatibility themselves.

“The Therapeutic Goods Administration should require medical device manufacturers and their agents to take urgent action to alert consumers to these changes and put in place penalties for non-compliance,” she says

Ms Bennet acknowledged that the shutdown needs to happen at some point in order to free up network space for the more modern 4G and 5G networks, but says the number of people who are still not ready represent an unacceptable risk.

Despite the shutdown first being announced back in 2019, and after repeated public campaigns, offers of free phones and multiple extensions, a parliamentary inquiry interim report found more than 380,000 are still at risk of losing all phone and internet service when 3G is turned off.

“While many older smartphones are 4G-enabled they default to the 3G network for 000 calls, meaning those devices would be unable to contact 000 once that network is shut,” she says.

Ms Bennet says the government could be playing a larger role in the shutdown. ACANN has previously called on communications minister, Michelle Rowland, to halt the shutdown completely but so far, the minister has resisted calls to do so.

Ms Rowland did give her public approval for the most recent extension and said the government still had ongoing concerns but stopped short of ordering an indefinite delay.

“This is a sensible move by both major telcos and the government looks forward to ensuring that all Australians have the opportunity to be informed about what the 3G switchover will mean for them,”

“The government remains concerned about a subset of 4G phones configured by the manufacturer to default to 3G for 000 calls, and personal medical alarms that rely on the 3G network.”

With the can kicked down the road for another six weeks, it remains to be seen what the government will do once Telstra and Optus refuse to delay the 3G shutdown any longer.

Do you think the government should step to halt the 3G shutdown? Or have people had enough time to get ready for the change? Let us know in the comments section below.

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