TPG telecom, the company behind Vodafone, TPG, iiNet and felix to name a few brands, has confirmed that it will shutdown its 3G network on the 15th December 2023
For those customers still using a 3G only device, that’s plenty of time to update to a 4G or 5G enabled device.
The decommissioning of the 3G networks under the TPG Telecom brands follows a significant decline in 3G network use in recent years as customers devices increasingly utilise its faster 4G and new 5G network bands.
TPG Telecom Chief Technology Officer Giovanni Chiarelli has stated that:
“We have announced the December 2023 switch-off date in the best interests of giving our consumer and business customers the appropriate time and support they require to prepare for the move to superior mobile technologies like 4G and 5G,” and that “The retirement of older network technologies like 3G is part of an important industry-wide move to provide customers with better speed and greater functionality with today’s modern smartphones and devices.”
TPG Telecom has stated that currently its 3G network carries less than one percent of the network’s total mobile data traffic.
For comparison, its 4G network accounts for 86 per cent of the company’s total mobile data traffic and its 5G services currently make up 13.5 per cent of its mobile data traffic.
TPG Telecom have stated that once the 3G network is shutdown, all 3G voice calls will automatically be carried over 4G or Wi-Fi calling (VoWiFi) for devices with that feature.
Mr Chiarelli has further stated that:
“The 3G switch off will only impact a small number of our customers who have 3G-only devices and our priority is to ensure they have a 4G or 5G device prior to December 2023”
“We are committed to keeping our consumer and enterprise customers informed in the lead up to the 3G switch off and will be providing further information to affected mobile customers of Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, Internode, Lebara, Kogan and felix in the year ahead.”
TPG has stated that it has and will continue rolling out upgrades to it’s 4G and 5G networks across Australia. The company has stated that by the end of this year, TPG Telecom’s 5G rollout will surpass 2,000 sites and will continue to grow well into the future.
Customers who are still using a 3G only enabled device are encouraged to call/text chat with the relevant customer service for TPG/Vodafone/iiNet/felix to discuss upgrading their device, whilst enterprise customers are advised to contact their account manager to discuss their individual needs.
What about devices that have 4G but don’t support VoLTE??
They’ll have to buy a new phone
And there is the rub. Lost of these phones will be owned by old non tech people and will be only a couple of years old. who won’t take too kindly having to buy yet another new phone.