Telstra has postponed the shutdown of its 3G network until August, citing concerns regarding access to emergency calls.

Telstra has decided to delay the closure of its 3G network amid concerns that hundreds of thousands of Australians may face difficulties in making emergency calls once the two-decade-old network is decommissioned. Initially scheduled for shutdown on June 30, the closure has now been extended until August 31 to allow customers more time to upgrade their handsets. Channa Seneviratne, Telstra’s networks executive, explained the extension was prompted by feedback from customers requesting additional time for the transition.

Recent data shows that over 200,000 Telstra customers still rely solely on 3G mobile phones, which will become obsolete after the network shutdown. Additionally, a subset of older 4G phones, configured to default to the 3G network for emergency calls, poses significant concerns. Seneviratne noted that some of these devices were acquired overseas or through unofficial channels.

While the federal government initially warned that up to a million Australians across various networks could be impacted, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that the estimated number has decreased to approximately 400,000. Rowland emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the 3G switchover to mitigate potential disruptions, welcoming Telstra’s decision to postpone the shutdown.

To manage the transition more effectively, the government has established a working group comprising Telstra, Optus, TPG, and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA). This group will provide regular updates to the minister and collaborate to ensure a smoother and safer transition away from 3G services.