Well, it’s finally arrived. Telstra have now confirmed as part of re-tuning activities in preparation for the larger 3G shutdown, have confirmed the reduction in capacity on the 2100Mhz across Australia. Therefore, any customers using services in a 2100Mhz only device are advised to upgrade to a 850Mhz 3G or 4G/LTE compatible device as soon as possible to avoid disruption.

Here’s Telstra’s official statement below:
“Since the launch of Next G ® network in 2006 any 3G2100MHz cells we have deployed were for capacity only (not coverage) and with the dissolution of the 3GIS partnership in 2012 any 3G 2100MHz cells were generally only retained where there was a pressing need for additional 3G capacity on top of the 3G coverage layer using 850MHz. From that time forward there has been little contiguous 3G2100 coverage. The closure of 2G in 2016 would have left any residual 2100-only devices with very fragmentary coverage. What remains is now is being gradually decommissioned so the spectrum can be re-farmed to 4G technology.”

“Telstra intends that the 3G network will remain in service until at least 2020. Closure activities may commence from 2020 although initially this is more likely to be simple re-purposing of part of the 3G spectrum (as 3G capacity becomes freed from migration to 4G) with no material impacts on our 3G customer base. Full or partial geographic closure may occur any time after 2020, but would be unlikely before 2022. In any case we will provide a reasonable notice period of any shutdown activities that would impact end customers. Full closure is most certainly expected well before 2030. So somewhere between 2020 and 2030 the 3G network will be shut down but precisely when has not yet been decided”

As many organisations migrated to the 3G technology after the 2G shutdown in December 2016, we are now advising all our customers to begin migrating through to the 850Mhz 3G platform as a minimum, or better still, consider migrating straight to the 4G/LTE platform. If you need any further information or assistance with understanding how this will impact your current operations, please do not hesitate to contact Step Global on 03 9551 7334 or send an email to info@stepglobal.com