Telstra delays 3G shutdown

Telstra has delayed the shutdown of its 3G network until August 31, to give impacted customers more time to upgrade to a new device. The telco was originally set to switch 3G services off on June 30, but further concerns around device compatibility have sprung up in recent months.

The most pressing is that several 4G devices will no longer be able to make emergency calls after 3G is shut down, including popular handsets such as the iPhone 6 family, Galaxy S7 family, and Galaxy S8 family. Some older 4G phones won't be able to make calls at all after 3G is shut down, since they don't support VoLTE. These include the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, and Galaxy S5.

Telstra customers can check if their device will continue to function after it switches off 3G by texting "3" to 3498. In addition, Telstra will soon add a voice recording to the start of calls made using 3G-dependent devices as a "reminder to take action". This will be removed when the device has been upgraded.

In a blog post, Telstra CEO Vicki Brady urged impacted customers to act now.

"While there is now a little more time, please don’t delay," said Brady. "Our 3G network is closing soon, and it is important you act now. If you’re still using an impacted device after 31 August, you won’t be able to call Triple Zero for Emergency help."

Telstra says 99% of its 3G sites now have equivalent 4G coverage. It plans to match all existing 3G coverage with 4G by the time 3G is switched off.

Optus is set to shut down its 3G network in September this year. Vodafone finished closing its 3G network in January.

Looking for a new mobile plan?

These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#4	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 60GB data on first 6 recharges, then 30GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small - 365 Day Flex Plan 220GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 220GB data for only $149 (incl. $30.90 off + 80GB bonus data) on the Small 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 18.10.26 $149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#7	Dodo	Dodo Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#8	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#9	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 240GB Long Expiry 240GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Get 240GB for $199 (includes $121 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 31.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply. $199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 5G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

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.

Read full bio