Due to the Albanese Government’s gross incompetence it now appears highly likely that the 3G shutdown will have to be delayed.
Australia’s 3G networks are due to be switched off in the coming weeks to free up spectrum for new services. Telstra is due to shut down on 31 August and Optus in September.
The switch-off was first announced in 2019, and there has been more than ample time to prepare for it. But the Albanese Government has made a complete mess of the process through inaction and failing to act on looming problems.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said the Government’s handling of the switch-off had been farcical.
“The Albanese Government did nothing to address the risks of the 3G switch-off until 2024 – just months before the spectrum was due to be shut down,” Mr Coleman said.
“Even then, its response was slow and weak. The Communications Minister claimed she was not aware of crucial issues related to the switch-off until March this year, and her response was to set up another industry roundtable.”
Mr Coleman said testimony to the 3G Senate inquiry last week and Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Coalition revealed warning signs of serious problems began emerging in mid-2023, particularly around 4G phones that would not be able to call the triple zero emergency service.
“In an email from July last year, Optus told a senior Government official that it was aware of phones that ‘might rely on 3G for emergency calling.’ Under the heading, ‘Will I be left without 000 access?’, the email includes an FAQ section on emergency call impacts, which states:
If your device doesn’t work with our 4G network or relies on 3G network for emergency calls, then you won’t be able to make an emergency call to 000 on the Optus mobile network.
“Another email from Optus to the Government, in October last year, stated there had been:
…an increase from the number reported earlier, as additional devices that rely on 3G for Emergency calling have been identified and added to the impacted base.
“Optus told the 3G inquiry that up to 150,000 customers would still be impacted by the shut-down.
“We heard evidence last week from IT expert James Parker who reminded senators that he had written to Minister Rowland about this issue in June last year. Telstra also highlighted the problem in a report to Government in December.
“We now know that the Minister’s department knew of this looming crisis for the last 12 months but did not warn the public. Now we are seeing a desperate race against time to fix the issues before the shut-down. The Minister is responsible for her department and therefore responsible to the public for this mess.”
Mr Coleman said the Senate inquiry had also been told of concerns about the impact of the looming 3G shutdown on devices that rely on 3G, including:
- Fire safety alarms, medical alert devices, security systems, and expensive surveying instruments
- The agriculture sector was concerned about the impact on water meters and other wireless operating systems on farms
- The government is still reaching out to affected industries, including talks with the lifts sector in the last week. A government official told the inquiry that: “I think it’s fair to say that we are learning new things as we reach out to different stakeholders.”
Mr Coleman said it was clear from the Senate evidence and FOI documents that the Minister and Government had been caught flat-footed on a critical issue of community safety.
“Minister Rowland has failed Australians in her handling of this crucial process,” Mr Coleman said. “She was entirely absent until a few months ago.
“If the Minister plans to proceed with this shut-down on August 31, she must explain to Australians why she is confident that it will succeed and how many customers would still face adverse impacts. It is her responsibility to protect the safety of Australians.
“Minister Rowland can delay the switch-off, and, given the incompetence with which she has managed this process, it seems likely that she will need to do so.
“The Albanese Government needs to reveal their plans to both the community and telco sector as soon as possible.”
Shadow Minister for Communications
Member for Banks
Hon. David Coleman MP