Handsets and devices that rely on the 3G mobile network will no longer make or receive communications once the network shuts down in six weeks. 

The gradual closure of Australia’s 3G network was announced in 2019 to help boost 4G and 5G capacity. TPG Telecom (Vodafone) has already switched off its 3G network, with Telstra following suit on 31 August and Optus from 1 September.  

Older devices that still rely on 3G make up one per cent of network traffic and should be upgraded now. These could include phones, personal medical alarms and certain 4G devices that force emergency calls through the 3G network. 

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association has developed a web resource page that has information, FAQs and tools to check if devices will be affected by the network closure. 

Getting the message out 

In a recent briefing to community services and peaks, telcos described their efforts to contact users of 3G devices and ensure they stay connected. 

People with disability are on a list of priority cohorts who have been engaged and, in thousands of cases, given free handsets and SIMs to help bridge the digital divide. Telstra and Optus are supporting their customers through the transition and have committed to maintaining equivalent coverage on their newer networks. 

A government-led working group has requested sector support to amplify awareness of the shutdown among community members, who may rely on 3G devices for emergencies. More than 700,000 non-handset devices reportedly still use the 3G network and may range from rain gauges to personal medical alarms. 

While users of 3G devices monitored by personal emergency response services continue to be contacted, NDS knows that many people with disability have older Assistive Technology (AT) and personal emergency alarms that are not monitored by such services. These 3G-only devices will soon not work. 

Disability service providers should encourage participants to: 

If you are working with a larger group of people still on 3G devices for emergency communication, please contact Senior Policy Officer Jeremy Farley submit enquiry/feedback so NDS can advise the government-led working group.  

Person-centred emergency preparedness 

Whether its up-to-date devices or evacuation routes, emergency preparedness is imperative for people with disability. Registered providers must meet the NDIS Commission’s practice standards for emergency and disaster management, but all community members can encourage the use of person-centred emergency preparedness (P-CEP) tools to support disability inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR).  

For individuals, the Collaborating 4 Inclusion website has more information about P-CEP resources, reviewing devices, and how to be a conversation partner for emergency preparedness. 

For organisations, the recently released DIDRR Framework and Toolkit for Collaborative Action assists community stakeholders to take steps in advancing DIDRR. 

The toolkit’s steps for organisational-level DIDRR are discussed further in the latest instalment of the Leave Nobody Behind webinar series from the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. 

NDS is on an advisory committee for this project, which produces tools to assist disability service providers develop their emergency and disaster management practices, complying with the relevant NDIS practice standards. 

Members might also like to connect with their local NDS office for more information about initiatives in their state or territory. For example: 

Additional resources are soon expected from the NDIA, the Department of Social Services and disability representative organisations, and we’ll add them to this page as they come in.