The Optus 3G network is switching off from 28 October 2024.

Your phone may be impacted.

From 28 October 2024, Optus will be switching off its 3G technology and repurposing it to boost the capacity, speed, and reliability of its 4G network and rollout 5G to even more Australians.

Our priority is to help customers stay connected and transition smoothly before the network switch-off. Contact us today to discuss your options.

Optus is legally required to prevent mobile phones that cannot call Triple Zero (000) from accessing the Optus mobile network from 28 October 2024.

Important information about emergency calls to Triple Zero (000)

To keep you safe phones must support Triple Zero (000) calling over 4G (using VoLTE) in the event of an emergency. This is a legal requirement for all phones sold in Australia. Older 3G handsets, as well as some newer 4G/5G handsets (including those purchased overseas or from a retailer selling imported phones), do not meet these standards.

From 28 October 2024, if you have a device that is not able to make Triple Zero (000) calls, Optus is legally required to stop these mobile phones from accessing the Optus mobile network. This means you will not be able to make or receive calls/texts or use data on the Optus mobile network from this date.

To ensure you still have access, we strongly recommend you upgrade your device as soon as possible.

For more details, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions below.

What do I need to do?

From 28 October 2024, 3G services will no longer be available on the Optus network. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you through this change.

Check if your number phone is impacted:

- Text the number '3' to '3498' from the device you believe is impacted.
OR
- Enter your mobile phone's 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number in the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) checker.

If your phone is impacted, you will need a new device to stay connected.

We're here to help, contact us today to discuss your options. You can call us on 1300 222 825 or chat with us online.

For more information about this industry-wide change, The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has launched www.3Gclosure.com.au to provide Australians with the key facts and information they need to prepare for the upcoming 3G network closures.

This includes a tool that allows you to check your phone’s IMEI number which is unique to each device. The IMEI allows Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) to identify the make and model of the mobile device, to determine if it’s impacted when 3G is switched off. To locate your phone’s IMEI number, check the device settings or dial *#06# from your phone.

Please note, it's not just 3G devices that will be impacted, newer 4G/5G handsets (including those purchased overseas or from a retailer selling imported phones) may also be impacted.

Optus is legally required to prevent mobile phones that cannot call Triple Zero (000) from accessing the Optus mobile network from 28 October 2024. Once a device is no longer supported, you will not be able to access the Optus mobile network.

FAQs

What are we doing and why?

From 28 October 2024, Optus will be switching off its 3G network. This allows them to offer a better experience for their 4G services, as well as support the growth of 5G technology.

If you have a device that is not able to make Triple Zero (000) calls, Optus is legally required to stop these mobile phones from accessing the Optus mobile network. This means you will not be able to make or receive calls/texts or use data on the Optus mobile network from this date.

What is 3G?

3G is the third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology. “G” stands for Generation and the higher the number, the newer and more efficient the technology.

Each generation of technology uses radio frequency spectrum bands. Mobile phones and devices use these spectrum bands to communicate with the mobile network.

Why is Optus switching off its 3G network?

As technology evolves, people are using 3G less and less. That’s why they’ve made the decision to switch off 3G so they can improve their 4G network and boost their 5G rollout.

When will this happen?

From 28 October 2024 you'll no longer be able to use the Optus 3G network. Over the coming months, we’ll contact you directly if we believe you have an impacted device.

Will I still be able to make Triple Zero (000) calls?

If your device doesn’t work with our 4G network or relies on 3G network for emergency calls, then you won't be able to make an emergency call to Triple Zero (000).

To ensure you still have access, we strongly recommend you upgrade your device

Note: Unless your call is for a legitimate emergency, DO NOT call Triple Zero (000) to test your device.

What if I have a medical device or a security device?

If you're currently using a personal medical device or security device that relies on the 3G network, then it'll stop working from 28 October 2024. We recommend you urgently check with the device manufacturer and upgrade your affected device as soon as possible.

What is VoLTE/4G voice calling?

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is the technology that enables voice calls to be made on a 4G network.

What does this change mean for devices that don’t support VoLTE/4G voice calling?

If your device uses 3G only for voice and doesn’t support VoLTE/4G voice calling, you won’t be able to make or receive voice calls. We strongly recommend you upgrade your device. You can call us on 1300 222 825 or chat with us online.

My device is compatible with VoLTE/4G voice calling. How do I enable it in my device settings?

Compatible 4G Apple iPhones:

Go to your phone's Settings

Select Mobile

Select Mobile Data Options

Select Voice & Data

Enable 4G (and on some devices enable VoLTE). On iPhone 12 models or later please select enable 5g

Other VoLTE compatible devices

Refer to your user manual on how to check that VoLTE is enabled as instructions may be different for various device models and types.

However, the first step is to make sure your device’s operating system is up to date. Once you’ve updated it, VoLTE should be automatically enabled (sometimes this can take up to 4 hours).

For help and technical assistance, please refer to your user manual, contact your device manufacturer or call us on 1300 222 825.

Will I lose my mobile number?
No, you won’t lose your mobile number, as long as you upgrade to a 4G and/or 5G compatible device and retain your number.

Unfortunately, mobile broadband services are different. You can upgrade your mobile broadband service to another mobile broadband service and keep your number, however, it can’t be transferred to a mobile phone plan.

How do I check if my device is 4G/5G compatible?

The easiest way to do this is by having a look at your device specifications in the user manual, or refer to the manufacturer’s website.

Here’s what you need to check to confirm if your device is compatible:

If your device is compatible with the 4G Network 700 MHz (LTE Band 28 or also known as B28 spectrum)
If your device supports 4G VoLTE (which enables voice calls to be made over a 4G network) - including VoLTE emergency calling)

If your device does not support one or more of the above, it will no longer work or will have significantly reduced coverage once the 3G network is switched off.

My device displays 4G/5G signal on screen OR I have a 4G/5G enabled device, so why did I receive a notification from OnePass mobile?

If you have multiple services, you may be viewing the notification we sent you on a device that is not impacted. Please ensure you check the impacted service number and the device that is linked to that number.

Even if you can see a 4G/5G signal on the screen of the impacted device, there could be other reasons why we have determined your device is impacted. These include:

Your device relies on 3G to make emergency calls to Triple Zero (000)
Your device relies on 3G in some areas
Your device does not support 4G VoLTE / 4G voice calling. You might be able to use data on the 4G network, but it still relies on the 3G network to make voice calls (including emergency calls).

How do I check if my device will be impacted?

There are thousands of different devices, models, and variants (including devices not sold by Optus) that rely on the 3G network, including some recent 4G devices. Optus is legally required to prevent mobile phones that cannot call Triple Zero (000) from accessing the Optus mobile network from 28 October 2024.

You can check if your mobile phone is impacted by:

Searching your phone’s IMEI number in the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) checker
Texting ‘3’ to ‘3498’ from the device you believe is impacted (this will not work if your device has already stopped working)

Note: Your phone’s 15-digit IMEI number is unique to your device and can be used to check if the make and model of your phone is impacted. You can find the IMEI in your device settings or by dialling *#06# on your phone. If multiple IMEI numbers show, you can use any of them.

Will I need a new SIM card?

You may need a new SIM card when you upgrade your device.

Many 3G dependent devices use a mini/micro SIM and the majority of 4G devices require a nano SIM.

If you’re unsure if you need a new SIM, you can call us on 1300 222 825 or chat with us online.

Which areas/locations are affected?

This change will be happening nationally.

What happens if I don’t want to upgrade my device or stay with OnePass mobile?

Most major Australian telcos are switching off their 3G technologies to make way for more advanced 4G and 5G network services. All telcos are also legally required to prevent mobile phones that cannot call Triple Zero (000) from accessing their networks from 28 October 2024.

If you don’t want to upgrade your device and it’s dependent on 3G, from 28 October 2024 you may no longer be able to make calls, send or receive texts, make triple zero (000) calls, or connect to the internet on the Optus network. Optus is legally required to prevent mobile phones that cannot call Triple Zero (000) from accessing the Optus mobile network from this date.

Our team is here to help. We recommend you contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options. You can call us on 1300 222 825 or chat with us online.

What if I’m using embedded network devices or machine to machine devices?

If your device depends on 3G for calls/data, it may no longer be able to connect to the Optus mobile network from 28 October 2024.

If you have an embedded network device, we suggest getting in touch with the device’s manufacturer for more help, and locate your nearest stockist.

How does this affect my Prepaid service?