Telstra’s 3G technology – which you might also know as NextG – was switched on in 2006. At the time, it was heralded for its reliable service, increased speeds and coverage, and what it enabled for customers and businesses on the go. It was the start of being able to send picture messages, stream video and access the internet on smartphones.
As network technology advances, we can use our network to deliver better experiences and meet the changing ways customers use mobile data.
Similarly to when we turned off our CDMA technology and re-purposed its 850MHz spectrum for 3G services, switching off 3G will now let us again repurpose this same spectrum - this time to 5G - to allow us to continue growing and improving our latest generation 5G technology and eventually 6G to meet data needs in the future.
Over the past five years, we’ve reached out to our customers across almost every channel we could think of to give everyone the heads up ahead of this closure.
Since then we’ve also been busy upgrading and expanding our 4G coverage to an equivalent size and reach to our 3G footprint. Most customers moving from a 3G only device will generally notice an improvement in speed when using a compatible device To help make it affordable for those upgrading, we’ve introduced a range of devices across many price points, including our affordable T-Elite 5G, which is also Blue Tick certified.
If you still haven’t upgraded to a VoLTE compatible 4G or 5G device, you’ll need to make sure you do so by 20 November, or we will disconnect your service by then if you haven’t taken an action.
We are committed to delivering the best possible network for regional Australia. In 2011 we were the first carrier to extend 4G services into regional areas and our 4G network now reaches 99.7%of the Australian population. We are still upgrading and expanding our 5G network every single day, and currently cover over 89% of Australia’s population with 5G. With the additional spectrum available to us now that 3G has closed, we’ll be able to extend and upgrade our 5G network to an even greater extent.
If you’re already using a VoLTE 4G or 5G compatible device you’ve already got your bases covered. But for anyone who may still be using an incompatible device, including overseas travelers who may connect on Australian networks, there are a few things you can do to check.
If you’re based in Australia and you have yet to do so, you can SMS 3 to “3498” and we’ll get right back to you. However, with our 3G network now completely switched off, odds are that if you’re able to send that SMS message to begin with, your device will continue to work where you have coverage.
For overseas tourists about to visit Australia, or anyone who’d like more specifics on why their device is not compatible on Telstra’s mobile network anymore, you can use our new IMEI checking tool.
Your IMEI is like your phone’s own unique 15-digit fingerprint, which you can find by opening your device’s Phone app and dialing *#06#.
By using the IMEI number, we’re able to determine the technical specs of the device and can confirm if it will be compatible on our network, before it even tries to connect. It will also explain the specific reason why your device is not compatible.
You can find our IMEI checker and more details on the future of our mobile network at our 3G closure hub.
