Optus to commence 3G switch off from - TODAY!

• Optus will begin switching off the 3G network from today.
• More than ten million messages have been sent directly to impacted customers to assist them in updating their handset.
• The switch off follows a national media campaign to raise awareness about the 28 October date.

The Optus 3G network will be switched off from today bringing an end to an old technology and repurposing it to boost the capacity, speed, and reliability of our 4G network and rollout 5G to even more Australians.

Optus customers impacted by this closure have collectively received more than ten million messages encouraging customers to replace their handset to remain connected.

In addition, customers have been exposed to a six-week national public awareness media campaign, as well as targeted Optus social media messaging in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Optus also offered 20,000 no cost handsets to select customers, including those experiencing financial challenges, as well as other affordable offers as part of the 3G switch off.

Staff in our retail outlets across Australia are trained in assisting customers impacted by the 3G switch off to find the right handset for them.

We are switching off our 3G technology and repurposing it to boost the capacity, speed, and reliability of our 4G network and rollout 5G to even more Australians.

Optus Head of New Products Harvey Wright said: “Our 3G impacted customers have been receiving information from Optus for many months about the need to update their handset. From today this information will take effect as their handsets will stop working.

“This will include devices that may have worked on the 4G network but revert to 3G to make Triple Zero calls in an emergency. For safety reasons these devices will no longer be supported on our network consistent with new government regulations.

“Optus does not support handsets that cannot call Triple Zero.

“There are huge benefits to switching off this old technology for our 4G and 5G networks. Customers will have a better experience on our network once the switch off has occurred.”

For more information about the 3G switch off, please click here.

Media contact:
Optus Corporate Affairs
02 9037 8179
media@optus.com.au