Telstra today announced that it will switch off its 3G mobile network in June 2024 in order to upgrade its 4G and 5G networks.
Telstra's 3G network was switched on in 2006, which means it will have been active for over eighteen years by the time it is shut down. At this stage, Telstra is the only telco to have announce a hard cut-off date for 3G.
Customers on Telstra-powered MVNOs such as Boost Mobile, Belong, and Woolworths Mobile will also be affected be this change.
So why kill off 3G? All mobile networks rely on radio frequency or spectrum (measured in megahertz bands, such as 850MHz). Spectrum is a fixed resource. The amount available to use is determined by the physics of radio waves. Telcos buy access to "lots" of spectrum that they use to build their network, but once a band is full, that's it. We can't add more.
As such, telcos have to make the most of the spectrum they have. For example, if a telco like Telstra no longer runs 3G services on a certain band, it can redeploy that spectrum as faster 4G.
Earlier in the year, Telstra switched off 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum. It operates 3G services on the 850MHz spectrum.
In the lead up to the shutdown, Telstra says it will be expanding its 4G coverage to match the size and reach of its 3G network.
If you've still got a 3G-only smartphone and you're a Telstra customer, you don't have too much to worry about in the short term; the Telstra 3G network has over four years of life left in it. You'll just want to ensure whatever device you buy next is 4G ready. That won't be difficult, as phones without 4G connectivity are becoming harder and harder to find. For example, the only 3G device left in Telstra's range is the Alcatel U5 3G, which is currently being run out on clearance.
Alex Choros
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