Australia's 3G Shutdown: Thousands of Phones Blocked, Many Left Without Emergency Calling Functionality

A recent shutdown of 3G networks in Australia has left thousands of phones unable to make emergency calls or access certain features on their devices. The shutdown, which occurred in July-August 2023, affected several phone models that were previously compatible with Vodafone's VoLTE (Voice over LTE) network.

According to a survey conducted by James D., the shutdown has had significant impacts on customers who cannot afford to purchase new phones or have not been offered replacements. The majority of respondents reported moderate to major financial impacts from purchasing a new device, and over 75% said they were not offered a replacement by their provider.

The issue highlights concerns about communication and preparedness among Australian telcos regarding the shutdown. While some devices are still supported on other networks like Telstra and Optus, many customers are left without a viable solution.

Source: https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/australias-3g-shutdown-why-your-4g-5g-phone-is-now-blocked-5900cd5361e2