The peak lobby group representing Australia’s telecommunication industry announced last week it would phase out 3G networks in the region on 15 December.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) confirmed with The Echo it was a commercial decision, meaning there are no legal requirements around maintaining older networks.
In a media release last week, AMTA said there would be an ‘imminent closure of 3G mobile networks across the Byron Shire, as part of the nationwide closure’.
‘With major mobile network operators Telstra, Optus, and PG Telecom phasing out their 3G networks over the coming year, AMTA urges all residents to prepare by upgrading affected devices to ensure they have connection to faster 4G and 5G mobile services’, AMTA said.
AMTA CEO Louise Hyland said, ‘if devices are not upgraded, it could mean that you are no longer able to make emergency calls to 000 from that device once Australia’s 3G networks are fully inactive’.
‘Older 3G devices and some older 4G phones may be impacted from December 15, onwards’, Ms Hyland said.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
