Final 3G shutdown could stop Triple Zero calls for some Vodafone network users

Australians on the Vodafone phone network could find themselves unable to make Triple Zero calls after Telstra and Optus shut down their 3G networks.

While Vodafone finished shutting down its 3G network in January this year, Triple Zero calls are made using any available network. For example, a Vodafone customer without coverage can still call Triple Zero provided there's Telstra or Optus coverage in their area.

The 3G shutdown complicates matters, as some 4G devices still need 3G to make Triple Zero calls. While Vodafone network customers with these phones can still make Triple Zero calls now by falling back to the Telstra or Optus 3G network, this won't be the case when those networks are shuttered.

These include the following phones:

iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 Plus
Galaxy S8
Galaxy S8 Plus
Galaxy Note 5
Galaxy Note 8
Google Pixel
Google Pixel XL
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL

Other devices may be affected too.

Vodafone network customers - including those on TPG, iiNet, Internode, Lebara, Kogan, and felix - can text "3" to 3498 to determine whether their device is compatible with 4G and will still be able to make emergency calls. Telstra and Optus network customers can use the same network.

There's particular concern over devices purchased overseas and "grey import" phones where international models are sold in Australia.

It's estimated there are still over 70,000 4G devices that won't be able to call Triple Zero in use.

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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