3G shutdown in Australia

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have all turned off their 3G network. Act fast if you haven't upgraded your old tech yet.

Senior man looking at his watch in shock as he is late for an appointment

Key takeaways

  • As of 28 October 2024, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have officially shut down their 3G networks.
  • If you haven't heeded the calls to upgrade old tech including mobile phones, mobile phone boosters, EFTPOS machines, security alarms and medical devices, please do so ASAP.
  • You won't be able to make Triple Zero calls if you have an outdated handset. This includes older 3G handsets and some newer 4G/5G handsets (including those purchased overseas or from a retailer selling imported phones).
  • You can text 3 to 3498 to find out if your mobile phone needs upgrading.

Which phones are affected by the 3G shutdown?

We've looked across the web - here's a list of popular 3G-only phones that the shutdown will impact. You can use the search function to type in the model you're looking for.

You can also check www.3gclosure.com or text "3" to "3498".

BrandPhone
Alcatel2038
AlcatelOneTouch 2045
AlcatelOptus X Lite 2038X
AlcatelOptus X Play
AlcatelOptus X Smart
AlcatelPixi 3 (3.5)
AlcatelU3
AppleiPhone 4
AppleiPhone 4S
AppleiPhone 5
AppleiPhone 5C
AppleiPhone 5S
AppleiPhone 3GS
AsperaA42
Doro6521
DoroOptus PhoneEasy 623
GooglePixel
GooglePixel 2
GooglePixel 2 XL
GooglePixel 3
GooglePixel 3 XL
GooglePixel 3a
GooglePixel 3a XL
HipipoooSuper Small Mini Smartphone
HuaweiE5251s-2
HuaweiE5331
HuaweiY6 Prime
KonkaFP8
KonkaU6
NokiaC2-01
Nokia301
OppoA57
OppoF1s
OppoF5 Youth
PrzSayCheap Mobile Phone
SamsungChrono R260
SamsungGalaxy Grand Prime
SamsungGalaxy J1 Mini
SamsungGalaxy Note 1
SamsungGalaxy Note 2
SamsungGalaxy S
SamsungGalaxy S10 Plus
SamsungGalaxy S2
SamsungGalaxy S3
SamsungGalaxy S4
SamsungGalaxy S5
SamsungGalaxy S8 Plus
SamsungGalaxy S9
SamsungGalaxy S9 Plus
SamsungGalaxy Trend Plus
SamsungStride R330
Sony EricssonCedar (J108a)
SOYESXs11
ZTEBoost Indy B816
ZTEBoost Sola B111
ZTEOptus Blade A0605
ZTEOptus X Spirit 2
ZTETelstra Blade Q Lux
ZTETelstra Chat 4g V830w
ZTETelstra Cruise T126
ZTETelstra Evoke Plus 2 OctaCore Phone
ZTETelstra Lite 2
ZTETelstra Lite F327S
ZTETelstra Smart Lite L111
ZTETelstra Blade A3

If your phone isn't listed in the above table, it should be good to go (e.g. the iPhone 14 isn't listed as it works on the 4G and 5G network).

But just keep in mind that this isn't an exhaustive list so you may need to chat to your mobile provider, search online or contact the manufacturer for more information.

Has 3G been turned off in Australia?

As of 28 October 2024, all 3 major telcos have shut down their 3G networks.

Vodafone shut its network down on 15 December 2023, with Optus and Telstra deactivating theirs on 28 October 2024.

You will need to upgrade impacted tech such as mobile phones, medical devices and EFTPOS machines urgently if you haven't taken action yet.

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that use either the Vodafone, Telstra or Optus network are also impacted by the shutdown. This includes the likes of Boost Mobile, amaysim, Belong, Catch Connect and felix.

"Whether it's your day-to-day mobile or one you keep in the drawer for an emergency, we encourage you to check all of your devices to ensure they will be supported once Australia's 3G networks are switched off," Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) CEO Louise Hyland said in a media release.

There are also certain 4G devices that won't be able to make emergency calls to Triple 0 after all 3G networks close.

Either call your provider or use the Check My Device feature at www.3Gclosure.com.au to see if your phone's impacted. The site is available to all Australians, on any mobile network and is available in 11 different languages including Arabic, Greek, Hindi and Mandarin.

Will my phone work after a 3G shutdown in 2024?

Not after 28 October 2024 as major network providers make way for new tech.

The people most impacted will be those who live in remote areas and have relied on 3G for years because their phones can't pick up reliable 4G signals.

3G is the third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology. Currently, we've progressed to 5G, meaning the technology for mobile communications is newer, faster and much more efficient.

So similar to how Australia experienced the shutdown of 2G in 2018, we're now facing a similar scenario with 3G.

Finder survey: How many Aussies have already adopted 5G?

ResponseWAVICSAQLDNSW
No45.95%48.97%51.85%46.82%47.35%
Yes39.64%41.1%34.57%44.09%42.06%
I don't know14.41%9.59%13.58%8.64%10.58%
I don't have a mobile phone/mobile phone plan0.34%0.45%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023
Data for ACT, NT, TAS not shown due to insufficient sample size. Some other states may also be excluded for this reason.

Is Telstra shutting down 3G?

All of Telstra's 3G services have ceased as of 28 October 2024.

"We have been communicating with customers about the need to prepare and make the move for almost five years," Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said in a media release.

This has included multiple letters, bill messages, SMS, public awareness campaigns, advertising - even door-knocking and sending free phones to people in vulnerable circumstances and our support for customers won't end the day the network closes.

Its 3G network has been in operation since 2006 and the shutdown will come just shy of 2 decades of use.

Telstra says it's continuing to communicate to consumers and small businesses using the Telstra network to let them know why they need to upgrade their devices. The reasons include:

  • A handset that is either 3G only
  • Does not support Voice over 4G (VoLTE)
  • Has 4G coverage limitations
  • Is 4G enabled but hardwired to use 3G for emergency calls

Earlier this year, Telstra introduced the 3G SMS Checker tool which has seen tens of thousands of enquiries from customers to see if their device will be impacted.

Is Optus shutting down 3G?

Optus joined Telstra in shutting down its 3G network on 28 October 2024.

In a last-ditch effort, it also gave away 20,000 no-cost handsets to eligible impacted customers including those facing financial hardship and the elderly.

Does Vodafone still support 3G?

Vodafone's 3G network is now a thing of the past.

Its 3G network carried less than 1% of the network's total mobile data traffic.

Before the shutdown, a Vodafone spokesperson had told Finder they had been "committed to keeping their consumer and enterprise customers informed in the lead up to the 3G switch-off" so they'd be prepared well in advance.

What mobile phones can I switch to?

If you don't want to spend $1,000+ upfront on one of the latest smartphones, we've collated 4G phones you can grab as an upgrade.

1 - 5 of 332
Name Product AUFMP-PHO Display Display Rear camera RRP More info More info
Motorola E22i
Kogan logo
6.5
inches

1600 x 720

  • Display

    6.5 inches

    1600 x 720

  • Rear camera

    16MP
  • Battery size

    4,020 mAh
16MP
$179
View details
Aspera F50 4G Flip Phone
Amazon logo
2.8
inches
  • Display

    2.8 inches

  • Rear camera

    2MP
  • Battery size

    1,000 mAh
2MP
$106
View details
Nokia G20
Kogan logo
6.5
inches

720 X 1600

  • Display

    6.5 inches

    720 X 1600

  • Rear camera

    48MP + 5MP + 2MP
  • Battery size

    5,050 mAh
48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
$539
View details
Huawei P60 Pro
eBay logo
6.67
inches

2700 x 1220

  • Display

    6.67 inches

    2700 x 1220

  • Rear camera

    48MP + 13MP + 48MP
  • Battery size

    4,815 mAh
48MP + 13MP + 48MP
$1,466.06
View details
Aspera AS7
Amazon logo
6.52
inches

18:9

  • Display

    6.52 inches

    18:9

  • Rear camera

    13MP + 0.08MP + 0.08MP
  • Battery size

    3,000 mAh
13MP + 0.08MP + 0.08MP
$179
View details
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You can also check out our guide to the best budget phones in Australia to explore tech that may better suit your needs.

Another option, if you have a higher budget, is to consider getting a more recent iPhone or Samsung phone on a plan.

Newer flagship phones are equipped to operate on both the 4G and 5G networks in Australia, so you'll be good for a long while.

Will I also need to switch mobile plans?

Thankfully, no. Mobile plans already operate on the 4G network by default, switching to the 3G network only in areas with spotty coverage or if your phone isn't equipped to connect to the 4G network.

Once you have a 4G-enabled phone, your current mobile plan will naturally connect to the 4G network.

How long will 4G last in Australia?

There's no set date for when the 4G network will be shut down but we can assume it'll be around for a few more years based on the introduction and closure of past and present networks.

  • 2G was first introduced in 1992 and it was closed in 2018 - that's 26 years later.
  • 3G was first introduced in Australia in 2005 and it's only being officially shut down 18 years later.
  • 4G was introduced in 2011 and 5G was introduced in 2019 and both are expected to operate simultaneously to complement any gaps in coverage.

We can expect 4G to be around for at least another decade if we average out how many years it took to shut down 2G and very soon, 3G.

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Written by

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

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