Telstra to switch off 3G network in June 2024

Telstra has revealed it will shut down its 3G network in June 2024 as it works to free up infrastructure and bandwidth resources to ramp up its 4G and 5G presence. 

“Today, as part of our program to continually upgrade our network to the latest technology and expand our 4G and 5G coverage, we’re announcing the eventual switch-off of our 3G technology,” said Telstra group executive, Networks and IT, Nikos Katinakis, in a statement published on 9 October. "This will not happen until June 2024 – more than four years away."

“In May this year we launched 5G with the release of the first 5G devices in Australia. As an early adopter and pioneer of 5G, we are on the cusp of the latest mobile technology worldwide.

“To help continue enhancing the network, it will eventually mean our older network technology will need to be switched off, so the spectrum that is used to carry data and voice calls over our oldest mobile network technology can be repurposed to help grow 5G,” he said. 

Katinakis went on to say that, between now and June 2024, the telco will be upgrading and expanding its 4G coverage to a “materially equivalent size and reach to our 3G footprint”. 

It is expected that most users of the network will generally notice an improvement in speed when using a compatible device – in many cases a substantial one. 

“We are working to assess our product range and all current areas with 3G only coverage in order to give you the best possible experience on 4G and 5G,” Katinakis said.