3G is on the way out – but it’s not only telematics affected

By the end of June this year, the 3G networks that introduced us all to mobile broadband will be no more. Telstra is shutting down its 3G network and repurposing the frequencies from older infrastructure to more modern, higher-performing 4G and 5G services.

For fleet operators, updating your telematics systems to 4G is essential (you can read more about this here). If you haven’t started planning your 3G migration, it’s something you need to do now, as after June your old systems will no longer work, potentially putting your business's smooth, safe, and efficient operations at risk.

As the cut-off date approaches quickly (June 30 2024), installers will also be harder to find, so if you need help or advice on your 3G migration, your Teletrac Navman representative is here to help.

But 3G is about more than telematics. While many Australians will have upgraded their mobile handsets to 4G and 5G, an estimated 2-3 per cent of people are still clinging to the old technology. Many may be unaware of the shutdown, or even if their technology is 3G-based. This small percentage of the population is tricky to get in touch with, so if you have a senior in your life or someone with no idea about technologies running a business who operate what looks like an older handset or old technologies, talk to them about upgrading so they’re not left isolated in an emergency (or just unable to call up family and friends for some chit-chat.)

The elephant in the room – the Internet of Things

Since the 3G network was introduced locally in 2003, many devices we use daily have taken advantage of its mobile broadband features for connectivity. These devices might not need high bandwidth for video streaming or online gaming but rely on 3G’s always-on connectivity to function. Broadly speaking, we call these devices the Internet of Things (IoT) – that is, devices that aren’t mobile handsets and perform specialised functions requiring network connections.

According to some studies, the reality of the 3G shutdown still needs to sink in, with an estimated two to three million 3G IoT devices still operating in Australia. These could be EFTPOS terminals, medical devices, smart security systems, including access control for gates to warehouses and yards, or even 24/7 monitoring services. All these once upon a time relied on the 3G service to communicate, and now that it’s closing, these need to be upgraded to ensure smooth sailing.

Merchants need to contact their service provider to upgrade their payment terminals. Otherwise, they’ll be left in a similar situation to the recent Australia-wide network failures last year that left them relying on patrons using cash. We saw examples of this happening when COVID struck, and cash-only premises were suddenly left in the lurch till they could get point-of-sale terminals up and running. Or time to set up e-commerce websites to sell goods online when the business was previously only face-to-face.

Even cash is not a viable alternative for most merchants, with the RBA reporting in its Cash Use and Attitudes in Australia Bulletin only 16 per cent of transactions are now cash, down from 27 per cent before the pandemic. However, the reality is many customers simply aren’t carrying physical money anymore, relying on card services and digital wallets to make payments, even for small items like a takeaway coffee. The lesson to be learned here? Check your point of sale isn’t communicating on the 3G network now.

Also of concern are medical devices relying on 3G. While hard numbers are difficult to come by, it’s well known that medical equipment often relies on outdated operating systems like Windows XP that the software vendor no longer supports. This opens up security concerns and, coupled with the 3G shutdown, means some important – and potentially lifesaving – medical devices will cease functioning.

The same goes for other industries with traditional operating systems, like those in manufacturer and parts look-up operating on simple command setups. Understanding how your business operates is important.

Again, it’s critical for medical professionals to conduct a thorough audit of medical devices and begin planning to upgrade the outdated ones. This becomes even more important for personal medical devices used at home, where education and support from medical professionals for their patients need to happen as soon as possible. These are important for the sake of the patients and workers who rely on these devices for safety – the elderly who could be helpless and in danger or lone workers who are out in dangerous or sparse environments with no one else around.

For fleet operators, planning for 3G migration is something you should already be doing. But it also pays to think about all the other devices surrounding you – a driver may have a payment terminal for customer transactions, but if it’s 3G, then after June, you may not be getting paid unless you upgrade. The same goes for smart access and security systems, as being locked out of your yard come July is not a viable option. You may be locked out of your own premises!

And for the rest of us, we need to talk to those people in our lives who might still be relying in 3G, particularly older people who might still be using outdated handsets or rely on personal medical devices.

The 3G shutdown is around five months away. The time to act is now.