Telstra Extends 3G Sunset to 28 October 2024
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Telstra 3G Closure Extended To 28 October 2024 Grade Now!
Telstra has advised they are delaying the 3G network closure until October 28, 2024. The delay was announced last week following safety concerns over CCTV and medical alert devices that connect via 3G being suddenly cut off.On October 9th, 2019, Telstra officially announced that they would be shutting down the 3G/ NextG 850MHz network across Australia on 31 August 2024
Telstra has announced they will be switching off the 3G mobile network [Next G] in 31 August 2024. While this is still a while away, they are making the announcement now, so their customers have plenty of time to switch to newer devices if they have a 3G-only device.
Between now and then, they will be upgrading and expanding their 4G coverage to a materially equivalent size and reaching their 3G footprint.
They launched the 3G network in 2006, and it was innovative technology at the time. They now offer their customers extensive 4G coverage, which provides vastly better data speeds and an improved customer experience.
The telco said this in a blog post. We are working to assess our product range and all current areas with 3G-only coverage to give their customers the best possible experience on 4G and 5G."
As customers increasingly move from 3G to take up the benefits of newer technology, they will be repurposing the 850 MHz spectrum, currently used to provide 3G coverage, to support their 5G rollout.
The last time the telco shut down a network was in 2016 with the closure of its 2G network. There was far less lead time for the implementation of that decision, with it only being announced in 2014. This time around, Australians have over four years to prepare.
What does this mean for Keep Track GPS customers?
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Any GPS tracking devices utilising 3G (NextG) 850MHz modules will cease functioning on 31 August 2024.
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To continue using the Telstra network in Australia, all GPS tracking devices must utilise a modem or module that is at least compatible with LTE Band 28 (700 MHz), which Telstra refers to as 4GX.
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For optimal performance Keep Track GPS recommends customers deploy 4G CAT-M1 GPS trackers to provide maximum coverage.
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As of October 2019, the Telstra LTE Band 28 (700 MHz) network covers 99.2% of the population, and there are plans in place to increase coverage to have network parity with the current 3G network before June 2024.
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While Telstra is maintaining the NextG network until June 2024, you may notice a reduction in coverage in some areas where tuning and re-farming is taking place.
How can Keep Track GPS help?
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Customers with 3G GPS vehicle trackers, personal alarms can either upgrade to a 4G device or change their SIM cards if compatible frequency permits to another provider, Optus or Vodafone, who have not announced shutdown dates yet.
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If you are not a Keep Track GPS customer and are interested in upgrading your GPS tracking devices to a 4G version, please contact us at info@keeptrackgps.com.au
Published 10/11/2019
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