3G Network Shutdown Imminent, As Authorities Campaign to Keep Users Connected

Australia’s 3G network will begin its shut down on Oct. 28 with nearly 60,000 devices expected to be impacted. Telstra and Optus had previously delayed the shut down over public safety concerns with thousands of devices unable to connect to emergency services (triple zero). The soon-to-be-closed network will affect mobile phones, smart watches, iPads, medical devices, and farming technology. Users in remote areas may be the most impacted. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that about 59,000 handsets remained reliant on 3G for emergency calls. Often purchased overseas or second-hand, these devices rely on 4G for regular calls and texts, but default to 3G for triple-zero calls due to a lack of Voice over LTE technology....