3G network closure

No, if you’ve been blocked because you don’t have a compatible device, you cannot make any calls or use any data. While you may be able to use Wi-Fi, and apps, such as WhatsApp or Messenger, they do not allow for emergency calls including Triple Zero (000) calls.

If you’re using a device that was set up for another country (i.e. you bought it overseas, it was imported, or it’s second-hand and you’re not sure where it’s from, or it may be refurbished), it may be blocked from connecting to our network or experience reduced coverage.

If your device does not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) including VoLTE Emergency Calling, your device will be blocked from accessing our mobile network, in line with changes to the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination.

Blocked devices won’t be able to make or receive voice calls over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), including emergency calls, use mobile network data, or send and receive SMS messages. You must upgrade your handset to use your mobile service.

If your device does not support Telstra’s main 4G frequency (Band 28/700Mhz) you may not have network connectivity in places where B28 is the only available 4G frequency (usually outside major cities/ regional hubs). This could also impact your ability to make calls to emergency services including Triple Zero (000).

If your device is impacted, upgrade your mobile handset or contact us to cancel your service.

We’ve upgraded our 4G network to match the previously published coverage of our 3G network.

Now that 3G is closed, compatible devices will use the available 4G network and 5G network.

The Telstra Mobile Network is Australia’s largest, with 4G reaching 99.7 per cent of the Australian population and 5G to over 93 per cent, providing a more reliable coverage experience in more places across Australia. This will continue to improve as we repurpose 3G spectrum to further advance both 4G and 5G networks, which will further increase overall network capacity and improve service quality for many customers.

Yes, your phone can connect to Wi-Fi for data purposes. However, blocked devices won’t be able to make or receive voice calls over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) including emergency calls, use mobile network data, or send and receive SMS messages.

If you have a device that isn’t compatible with Band 28/700MHz but is VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling-capable, you should be able to make emergency calls using Wi-Fi.

There are several reasons why VoLTE may work on one network and not another.

This includes requiring your device to support Telstra specific settings that are part of a global VoLTE standard managed by the GSMA, the global organisation that supports the telecommunications industry. All carriers, including Telstra, follow these standards to enable voice calls on 4G (VoLTE). If your device manufacturer hasn’t included Telstra’s settings as published in the GSMA global device settings database, it might affect your ability to use VoLTE on Telstra's network.

Device manufacturers also may not have enabled VoLTE on their device when used with a Telstra SIM.

In the past, we have sometimes installed an independent power supply where necessary to ensure effective operation of the technology used to supply the service. We no longer do that because the 4G Fixed Wireless and Starlink technologies currently used to deliver telephone services run on standard power and don’t require an independent power supply to operate.