One million phones are set to be cut off from calling Triple Zero when 3G is ... trends now
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More than one million Australians may be unable to call Triple Zero when telcos officially cut off the 3G network in the coming months.
Telstra will shut off their 3G network on June 30 while Optus is set to end the service in September. Vodafone already switched off 3G for customers in December last year.
While most phones have already been upgraded to 4G or 5G networks, there are an estimated 3 million devices including phones, EFTPOS machines, cars, security cameras and medical alarms still relying on 3G.
There are also now concerns for the roughly one million 4G handsets that are either old or were bought overseas and use 3G for calling emergency services.
These handsets use 4G for other services like calls and texts but rely on 3G for phoning Triple Zero.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is speaking with a 'working group' that includes the major telcos fortnightly to come up with a solution.
'Supporting Australians' access to Triple Zero is critical,' she said last month.
'While the Government supports the safe switchover from 3G, it is important Australians are aware that some devices in the mobile market are not appropriately configured to contact emergency services on the 4G network.'
Telstra will shut off their 3G network on June 30 while Optus is set to end the service in September
Shadow Communications minister David Coleman accused the Albanese government of being too slow on the issue last month.
'Last November, the
