TRANSCRIPT
In a world where people are connected online, it's not just checking social media posts that requires a good, stable network infrastructures.
Many life-saving medical devices like fall alarms, cardio monitors, oxygen systems and pacemakers also rely on stable connections to keep working.
That's why Susi Tegan, the CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance, is concerned about the 3G networks being switched off from today.
"We know it's coming, and you know, most people have been notified, and have heard about the shutdown of 3G and moving to 4G, or possibly 5G. The thing is, there are people that are older, also people that have disabilities, and we just want to make sure that those people with personal medical alarms, non-medical personal alarms, that are used for emergency and safety purposes, and also those CPAP therapy machine, those people realise that the messages might not be getting through anymore."
First launched in 2003, first in the cities and then the rural areas, 3G networks were built based on the previous communication technologies and protocols, and helped people make more stable long-distance calls with families and friends.
It kicked off the mobile internet era, allowed people to browse websites and send emails on their phones, and laid the foundation of our digital life today.
But with the emergence of 4G, 5G and even 6G technologies in some parts of the world, Australia's telecommunication companies begin planning to shut down the outdated 3G and make ways for the faster networks.
And due to the networks' long history and impacts on rural areas, Ms Tegan is worried the switch off can disconnect regional Australians to an essential service.
"The biggest concern that we have is that they will not be able to call Triple Zero after the shutdown, if they had not changed over. And to be fair, rural people already have worst health outcomes, they are dying much younger, 12 to 16 years earlier than the rest of Australia, so we cannot afford to have somebody that doesn't have a Triple Zero number in case of health and medical emergencies."
Australia isn't the only country to switch off 3G.
In the United States, most 2G and 3G services were phased out by the end of 2022, while China completed a major 3G shutdown last year.
Singapore also rolls out its switch off this year.
Australia initially planned to do so in 2019, but the official shutdown has been delayed twice, due to concerns over its impacts on regional communities that already struggle with bad connections.
Now with Optus and Telstra officially beginning the switch-off , there are calls for the Federal Government and telco companies to boost mobile coverage in regional Australia.
John Hassell is the president of the WA Farmers. He's concerned that when the 3G is switched off and 4G being rolled out, the new networks aren't covering far enough.
"I think the phone companies are just coming out and telling us that they are doing it, it's not something that we have many choices or whatsoever, we'd like to see a greater deal of engagement from the phone companies, and also addressing our concerns rather than just telling us this is gonna happen, and we will see what happens. And I think that's not a very satisfactory way of doing it, we'd like to make sure all the coverages are there, and it goes far enough, does everything they need to do, and doesn't impact on our businesses, and our safety, I think that's pretty important."
Besides those living in regional Australia, people who use old phones, or mobiles that are purchased overseas might also be affected by the switch off.
Optus says it has run a six-week awareness campaign about the shutdown, and so far it's offered 20,000 no cost handsets to select customers, including those experiencing financial challenges.
Federal Communication Minister MIchelle Rowland has urged Australians to check if they will be affected by the shutdown, and upgrade their phones as soon as possible.
"The 3G switchover is a commercial decision taken by network providers and industry has undertaken significant efforts to identify and contact potentially affected customers and encourage them to check and upgrade their device. My department will continue to work with the telcos during the 3G switchover process to ensure this occurs in a safe and well managed way."
Australians can find out if their phones are affected by texting “3” to the number 3498.
