The Telstra 3G Network will be closing in mid 2024

Late last year we announced Telstra’s 3G Network (850Mhz band) will close in mid 2024. This presents an opportunity for Telstra Wholesale (TW) customers who are supported on TW’s Wholesale Mobile Evolution (WME) platform as we will work on expanding our 4G network capabilities to provide customers with the best possible experience. We are working towards expanding the 4G coverage footprint and providing 4G Voice calling (also known as VoLTE).   We are working towards expanding the 4G network to a similar size and reach as our 3G network so our customers and the communities they live in are not disadvantaged.

 

Telstra is repurposing some of its 850Mhz Spectrum for 5G, however there should be no material detriment to 3G voice calls. There may be some minor impacts to data speeds for 3G only capable devices in some areas.  4G data speeds will not be impacted. Telstra will continue to monitor the network and manage capacity as required in response to changes in demand.

 

A list of Telstra Wholesale products that will be impacted by the 3G exit is provided in the below appendix.

 

As a result of this change, you may have customers on the Telstra Wholesale network using 3G only or non-VoLTE capable 4G devices, you will need to transition them to a device that operates on our newer technologies.  We acknowledge a change like this has an impact on you, which is why we are letting you know about the switch off at least four and-a-half years before it takes place.   We will work with you over this long lead time to make sure the transition to newer technologies is as seamless as possible.

We will keep you updated as we enable VoLTE (4G calling) for Wholesale in advance of the exit date and as we upgrade 4G coverage areas for Wholesale.  Where requested, we will provide you with information that will enable you to manage your customers transition to a device that operates on our newer technologies.

 

We are expanding the 4G network capabilities for TW customers supported on Telstra’s Wholesale Mobile Evolution (WME) platform. 

 

4G Coverage – We will upgrade 3G only areas in the Telstra Wholesale footprint to 4G.  Wholesale customers will experience materially the same coverage post the 3G switch-off that they do today.

4G Voice Calling – To ensure we minimise impact, we will be enabling VoLTE (4G calling) for Wholesale in advance of the exit date.

After the 3G exit, 3G only devices will not work on 4G networks and devices without VoLTE (4G calling) will not be able to make voice calls.

We will work with you around any concerns about changing devices or technology types to be ready for the change.   Where requested we will provide you with information about your customers on the Telstra Wholesale network who may be using a 3G only or non-VoLTE capable 4G devices. This will enable you to contact your customers as needed to assist them to upgrade to a device that operates on our newer technologies.

Most customers will generally notice an improvement in speed. In many cases, the improvement in speeds in going to 4G will be substantial, but in some areas, particularly very remote areas, the improvement may only be slight and possibly not noticeable.  But our network performance will not go backwards.  We are currently working to assess all areas with 3G only coverage so we can provide our customers with the best possible experience.  

We want to work with you to ensure you are supported during the exit of our 3G network. We will be providing regular updates to our Wholesale customers from now until the closure in mid 2024.

We are here to ensure you have as much support as you require from Telstra Wholesale and we will assist you in any transition required.

It will all be switched off within a reasonably short period of time. While it’s not quite as simple as flicking a switch, closure will happen relatively quickly after the exit date over the course of one to two weeks in mid 2024.
Appendix: List of Telstra Wholesale Products impacted by the exit of the 3G network:

Product Name

Product Contract Number

(CRA or TWA)

Mobile Number Portability Interconnect

64

SMS Direct Connect

83

3G Mobile Originating Access Service

117

Telstra Domestic 3G Mobile Terminating Access Service

127

Telstra Domestic 3G Video Terminating Access

128

Telstra Domestic 3G Mobile 64KBIT/S Data Unrestricted Terminating Access

129

Telstra Domestic 190X Mobile Access Service

132

Telstra Mobile Conveyance Service

184

3G Mobile Video

189

Ethernet Mobile Backhaul

247

Telstra Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Number Transfer

356

Wholesale Mobile

814

Telstra Inbound Roaming

819