Device owners should check their device still works as today’s 3G shutdown closes a chapter in government bungling
Today Monday 28 October marks the end of a sorry chapter of government mismanagement of technological change, the Member for Mallee said as the 3G telecommunications network is finally shut down.
“I advocated in April prior to the original June to September closure dates for Mallee constituents concerned that their older mobile phone handsets, medical devices and farm technology were not adequately prepared for the changeover,” Dr Webster said.
The Coalition has been highlighting for many months that the Government was too slow to act on the warning signs, and significant responsibility for the delay sits clearly at the doorstop of the Communications Minister.
The Albanese Government’s gross incompetence led to the delaying of the shutdown.
“The Government was clearly disinterested in the issue and were seen to be washing their hands of it, leading to what has been an untidy, last-minute scramble as the shutdown deadline loomed,” Dr Webster said.
An IT expert told a Senate inquiry into the 3G shutdown that he wrote to the Communications Minister in June 2023 to warn her about risks of 4G phones being unable to call triple zero. Optus was also highlighting problems to the Government, back in July.
The Senate inquiry also heard powerful evidence about the risks of the shutdown to people with various devices, including medical and fire alarms.
“I encourage device owners to check with Telstra and Optus how to verify if their device will still work, and for family members to reach out to the older generation to check all their devices are still in working order.”
Dr Webster’s advocacy on the 3G shutdown included:
• 10 April 2024 Labor inaction on 3G shutdown puts Australians on hold
• 6 August 2024 Telstra, Optus 3G shutdowns must be delayed as senate inquiry recommends ministerial consequences
• 14 August 2024 Delayed 3G shutdown date of 28 October leaves questions unanswered
The Coalition first announced five years ago the important reform of freeing up 3G spectrum for use in other productive telecommunications.
