Deputy Nationals Leader, Senator Perin Davey, says the Albanese Labor Government has been caught out flying blind and refusing to prepare, over the shutdown of the 3G network.
The 3G shutdown was first announced in November 2019.
TPG-Vodafone switched off their 3G networks last December.
Telstra, the country’s biggest carrier, will switch off its network on June 30, and Optus will follow suit on September 1.
Most later model phones are now serviced by either the 4G or 5G networks but there are concerns for other devices which still rely on 3G.
It’s been suggested that nearly three quarters of a million people might be unable to contact emergency services with their existing phones.
Some medical alarms could be affected, as well as the likes of baby monitors, security cameras, and some tablets.
Senator Davey has asked why we are only learning about a potentially critical issue now when the network switchover is well underway.
“The government on Sunday announced they’re getting together a working group,” Senator Davey told Sky. “That’s great, but these warnings were put out in November last year. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association were warning about it last year,
“We’ve known 3G was getting cut off for 12 to 18 months. Each one of the carriers has made their plans very clear and has provided a lot of notice so why has the government only turned their attention to it now,” Senator Davey said
“This is yet another example of the Albanese Government flying blind and refusing to prepare. Australians deserve better.”
According to techguide.com.au, the 25 most common devices that might be affected by the 3G closure are:
1. Alcatel 2038
2. Alcatel OneTouch 2045
3. Apple iPhone 5
4. Apple iPhone 5C
5. Apple iPhone 5S
6. Aspera A42
7. Doro 6521
8. Doro PhoneEasy 623
9. Google Pixel 2 XL
10. Huawei E5251s-2
11. Huawei E5331
12. Huawei Y6 Prime
13. Nokia 301
14. Oppo A57
15. Oppo F1s
16. Oppo F5 Youth
17. Optus X Smart
18. Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini
19. Samsung Galaxy S5
20. ZTE Blade A0605
21. iPad Air
22. iPad Retina
23. iPad mini Retina
24. iPad mini
25. iPad mini 3
