Living on the Edge: 3G Shutdown Leaves Adelaide Hills Residents Vulnerable
The switch-off of Australia’s 3G mobile network on October 28 has left residents in the Adelaide Hills struggling with unreliable internet and phone services, raising serious concerns about their safety, particularly in the face of bushfire risks.
sarah Pollard, who lives in Lenswood and relies on a provider using Telstra’s wholesale network, describes the situation as dire. “We can no longer use mobile phones inside the house,” she says. “And the internet speeds, which we access through a Telstra device and sim card, have plummeted to as low as 0.01 megabits per second and max out at 15Mbps on a good day.”
Australia’s 3G mobile network was switched off on october 28.
(ABC Ballarat: Alexander Darling)
Some days, Ms Pollard says she can’t even run a speed test due to the lack of coverage. “Recently, including yesterday, we were completely unable to make or receive calls,” she adds, her voice laced with worry. “This is extremely concerning as we live in an extremely high-risk bushfire area.”
The impact of the 3G shutdown resonates deeply in Lenswood, given the community’s proximity to the devastating Cudlee creek fires of 2019. As Ms. Pollard points out, ”some of that went through Lenswood, so we absolutely need coverage.”
The situation highlights a critical gap in Telstra’s 3G decommissioning plan – a lack of adequate provision for remote communities reliant on 3G technology for essential services and safety.
Digital Divide: When Emergency Alerts Fail
For many Australians, reliable phone coverage and fast internet are taken for granted. Though,for those living in regional and remote areas,these essential services can be unreliable or completely unavailable. This digital divide has meaningful implications, particularly when it comes to receiving timely warnings during emergencies like bushfires.
Sarah Pollard, a telehealth nurse who lives in the Adelaide Hills, experienced this firsthand. Her work relies on a stable internet connection, but the slow and often fluctuating speed made it unfeasible to continue. “It just doesn’t work,” she said. “I can’t even do a speed test sometimes.” the situation was exacerbated by the switch-off of the 3G network, leaving many with limited mobile reception.
Similar struggles are faced by others. Eric, who lives near Cherry Gardens, a community scarred by a devastating bushfire in 2021, describes their internet situation as “virtually non-existent.” “I’m probably 800 metres from a tower at the oval and half the time it just drops out,” he says.
Even those living closer to interaction infrastructure face challenges.Brad, near clare, lives within sight of a Telstra tower but experienced dropped calls and voicemail diversions after the 3G network shutdown. Their NBN fixed wireless connection,which promised fast speeds,often delivered a dismal 3Mbps,barely enough to run a speed test.
the reliability of emergency alerts, which use mobile phone networks to warn people of dangerous events, is directly impacted by this digital divide. On Christmas Day, all seven guests at Sarah pollard’s home couldn’t access mobile reception, highlighting the potential danger for those relying on these alerts during emergencies.
the situation underscores the urgent need to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Australians have access to reliable communication services, particularly in times of crisis.
Losing 3G: Small Towns Face Internet Blackouts
living in a remote area rarely means a smooth user experience when it comes to internet access. For residents of coobowie, a charming seaside town nestled on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, the recent shut down of 3G networks by telstra and Optus has dramatically impacted their connection to the world. Simon Malzard, a Coobowie resident, describes his internet as “fantastic” prior to the 3G closure in October. However, his world turned upside down when his connection abruptly went down for a full week before returning, but at a frustratingly slow crawl. “I was told by Telstra that the reason my internet speed has been negatively affected is because of the 3G closures,” Malzard shared,exasperated.
His attempts to resolve the issue with Telstra have been fruitless. He was informed that there are no immediate plans for upgrades to the area’s tower. Despite receiving a new SIM card from Telstra, malzard’s internet situation remains unchanged, trapped in a frustrating cycle of slow speeds and unreliability.
A surge in online activity during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of reliable high-speed internet, particularly in rural communities. The lack of a robust internet infrastructure in areas like Coobowie underscores a growing digital divide,leaving these communities struggling to keep pace with the demands of modern life.
This experience in Coobowie serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the transition away from 3G must be carefully managed to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their location, has access to the internet services they need.
3G Shutdown: Telstra Addresses User Concerns
The recent shutdown of the 3G mobile network by Telstra and Optus has sparked debate, with some regional and remote Australians reporting persistent connectivity issues. While Telstra maintains that the transition to 4G has been largely successful, a growing number of users are voicing frustration over dropped calls, weak signal strength, and a general decline in network reliability.
Telstra regional general manager Michael Patterson has acknowledged concerns but downplayed the impact of the 3G shutdown. “When we made the switch over, the 4G network was in place and we have equivalent coverage right across the nation,” he assured ABC Radio Adelaide. He attributed any perceived issues to a “perception thing,” noting that only 1 percent of traffic was utilizing 3G before its decommissioning.
Despite Telstra’s assurances, some customers like Ms. Pollard,are reporting tangible issues. She shared that Telstra staff attributed the problems to the 3G shutdown, explaining that increased reliance on a single 4G tower had overwhelmed its capacity.“Yet in the same breath, she said the reason they are not fixing the tower is because there are not enough people using it,” Ms. Pollard expressed, highlighting the seeming contradiction in Telstra’s response.
Telstra public Affairs manager Ashley McDermid countered these claims, emphasizing extensive network upgrades before the 3G shutdown. “We upgraded 12,000 mobile sites ahead of the change so we could be confident our 4G network matched the coverage footprint of our old 3G network,” he stated. McDermid attributed most customer difficulties to device compatibility issues or incorrect network configurations, suggesting these could be easily resolved.
Mobile network Headaches as Australia Ditches 3G
The switch to 4G and beyond is causing headaches for some Australians, especially in regional and rural areas. Hundreds of customers have reported issues with their mobile service since Telstra and Optus began decommissioning their 3G networks.
For some, the transition has highlighted the reality of patchy cellular coverage in less populated areas. Sarah Pollard found herself unable to even run Telstra’s speed test in january due to her poor connectivity.
“This coverage wasn’t included in our maps because it’s vulnerable to various factors that affect wireless signals, and we can’t guarantee the reliability of the service,” said a Telstra spokesperson, acknowledging the challenges faced by these users.
However, the company offered potential solutions. “Using a Blue Tick device and a Telstra Go repeater can be helpful,” the spokesperson explained, adding that “if used for 3G, needs to be used for 4G equivalent coverage.”
Telstra also addressed concerns about network congestion,stating that it’s not a direct result of the 3G shutdown.“Congestion is the result of growing customer demand and the main solve is deployment of additional capacity [spectrum] along with customers using the right connectivity for their needs,” the spokesperson clarified.The company urges affected customers to reach out to Telstra or visit a store for assistance in navigating the transition away from 3G.
This issue has caught the attention of the Federal Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, who indicated that regulatory intervention might be necessary if network providers fail to deliver on promised services.
As Australia moves towards a 4G and 5G future, ensuring seamless coverage and reliable service for all Australians remains a critical challenge.
