Cost and Impact of 3G Network Shutdown on Consumers

Senator Malcolm Roberts questioned officials about the 3G network shutdown's impact on consumers, citing concerns over the lack of cost modelling and potential burden on those with specialized needs. He stressed the importance of considering out-of-pocket expenses and the impact on individuals who rely heavily on their phones, particularly amidst Australia's current cost of living crisis. The discussion revealed that approximately 276,000 devices were blocked as of October 21, 2024, out of around 28 million devices. Senator Roberts also raised concerns about a tragic incident in Gulai where a life may have been lost due to the transition. Officials clarified that the focus was on ensuring devices could make emergency calls, and that some devices were blocked if they couldn't make 000 calls, even if they were compatible with 4G. James Chisholm, Deputy Secretary, Communications and Media Group, noted that 3G is not well-suited for modern consumer demands, which are better met by 4G and 5G. He emphasized the government's role in ensuring public safety and regulatory arrangements during the transition. The government has recently imposed strong regulations on the industry to handle the transition in an orderly way. Senator Roberts highlighted the issue of compatibility and standardization, expressing frustration that Australia is being held up as an example of poor handling of the 3G network shutdown. In response to concerns, the government has accepted recommendations to introduce a mandatory device testing regime, following the BEAN review into the Optus outage of November 2023. The ACMA will establish new provisions in the emergency call service determination by April 30, requiring a controlled test facility to be set up in Sydney to ensure devices can make 000 calls.