Optus Repurposing 3G - Phone Will No Longer Work?

RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 13:58

I'm new to Catch Connect, who are on Optus network, and recently keep getting these SMSes that state unambiguously that:

"It's important you're aware that your phone will not work on the Optus network from May. To stay connected you must upgrade your phone. Optus is repurposing part of the 3G network your phone relies on."

Firstly, how do they know what phone I'm using and that it won't work?

And secondly, do I actually need to upgrade my phone or is it just a mass SMS? Seems quite specific and targetted.

My phone is a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite. Only a few years old and still functions fine.

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 22/05/2022 - 14:03
    +3

    This seems correct.

    From May 2022 we're repurposing the 2100MHz part of our 3G network to boost the capacity, speed and reliability of our 4G network and allow us to rollout 5G to even more Australians

    https://www.optus.com.au/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/i…

    Your phone supports 3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100.

    https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_a2_lite_(redmi_6_pro)-9247.php

    Do you only have a 3G plan? You'll need to upgrade to a 4G SIM to continue service. Contact your Catch ISP support

    • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 14:10

      I'm just on their prepaid yearly plan. Pretty sure it's 4G.

      • avoidfullprice on 22/05/2022 - 15:11
        +3

        Unless you use VoLTE, when you make phone calls, it drops to 3G.

    • yokel on 22/05/2022 - 22:11

      2100 used to be pretty ordinary. 850 Telstra gave a far better user experience back in the day.

  • Benoffie on 22/05/2022 - 14:04
    +1

    They spam it across all phones an all networks.

    Consider it a PSA. Very few phones are running on 3G anymore.

    • Settero on 22/05/2022 - 14:10
      +1

      They can probably tell what numbers are using their 3g network and should be able to target these msgs, for them to say you need to upgrade your phone would be a legal nightmare if they were not correct.

      • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 14:19

        They must be targeting my phone. Another SMS I received just a few days ago stated:

        "Optus is repurposing part of the 3G network your phone relies on and this will be done by early July. To make sure you stay connected, you need to upgrade your phone as soon as possible."

        Emphasis added by me, but the message is quite direct and clear that I need to upgrade, or at least they think I do. I'm just not sure if I actually need to.

      • Benoffie on 22/05/2022 - 18:04
        +1

        Well put it this way, I have 3 s22s all on 5G and I've received this message virtually every week for about two months.

        I'll be sure to let Optus know. /s

        • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 19:22

          If you are receiving the exact same message on your flagship phones then it's definitely not targetted directly at me then. That's a relief, and I can safely ignore those SMS now. Thanks for the help!

    • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 14:12

      Yeah I thought it was just a bulk SMS. But the wording is awfully specific that I must upgrade. Bit worrying.

      • singingwolf on 22/05/2022 - 14:34
        -1

        Keep using it until they offer you a free phone. You are effectively on a 1-year contract. If they stop your service, you can seek a refund.

        • rektrading on 22/05/2022 - 17:32

          Keep using it until they offer you a free phone.

          The mobile phone doesn't have any warranty.

          Only a few years old and still functions fine.

  • JimmyF on 22/05/2022 - 17:00
    +1

    Firstly, how do they know what phone I'm using and that it won't work?

    Your IMEI is sent to the network when you connect, so they do a simple lookup from that

    And secondly, do I actually need to upgrade my phone or is it just a mass SMS? Seems quite specific and targetted.

    Unless your phone supports VoLTE, then yes you'll need to upgrade.

    • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 17:15

      Thanks for explaining. Guess I'm in the market for a new phone now lol.

  • Costanza on 22/05/2022 - 18:22
    +1

    You DO NOT need to upgrade your phone if your phone does 3G at 900MHZ and the optus towers you use have it (most do). Optus will eventually get rid of this too but haven't set a date yet.

    • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 19:17

      Oh that's interesting.

      According to gsmarena the 3G bands for my phone are: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100.

      So I guess I can keep using it then. That's great!

      • garetz on 22/05/2022 - 19:45
        +2

        That may be true, but your reception will get alot worse.

        • avoidfullprice on 22/05/2022 - 22:41

          You get better indoor reception with lower frequency. Higher frequency provides better bandwidth or speed.

  • ifuggedxyz on 22/05/2022 - 21:38
    +1

    The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite should have 4G, so you have nothing to worry about for now I think?

    • DogGunn on 22/05/2022 - 22:21
      +1

      It should work on data, but won't work for voice calls once the 3G network is shut down.

      • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 22:26

        So you think my phone won't actually work and I do need to upgrade? Oh dear.

        • DogGunn on 22/05/2022 - 22:29
          +1

          Having access to 4G voice calling requires VoLTE - right now, I don't think your phone would have VoLTE access.

          But data would be fine even when they shut down the 3G network.

          According to the data, your phone should have 4G data access. Do you ever see LTE / 4G on your phone?

          • ifuggedxyz on 22/05/2022 - 22:40

            @DogGunn: I have not investigated further but looks like it does have VoLTE?

          • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 22:53

            @DogGunn:

            Do you ever see LTE / 4G on your phone?

            I had a poke around in my phone settings but really can't find anything relating to LTE.

            There is however a "Preferred network type" setting, and 4G is selected. The other options being 3G and 2G.

            • redforever on 23/05/2022 - 10:29

              @RotundPolarBear: 4G is LTE. When using mobile data, do you see 4G or LTE icons o. The top right corner of the screen?

              • RotundPolarBear on 23/05/2022 - 12:28

                @redforever: It shows 4G there when on data. But some people above are saying the issue is likely that I won't receive calls when the 3G is shutdown. Mobile data will probably be fine?

    • RotundPolarBear on 22/05/2022 - 22:24

      Thanks for checking. That's great to know.

  • OzHunterNSW on 23/05/2022 - 15:44
    -3

    Firstly… who is using 3G?

    How old is the phone?

    Just get a new one!

  • andylch on 23/05/2022 - 16:22

    How about those 3G plans? e.g. Prepaid $2/3 Day Unlimited Data plan

  • daveozsydney on 23/05/2022 - 21:54

    So We have a similar issue. It’s not a case of old phone. Phone is an iPhone 12 Pro.

    Optus started doing work on our tower two weeks ago and we have 4g but not 3G. Can’t make calls now on Optus via amaysim as amaysim doesn’t support VoLTE or calls over wifi so we can make calls over 4g via FaceTime audio or WhatsApp etc but can’t make a regular PSTN call. Have prepaid the plan for 12 months so not sure what our options are.
    Phone works when away from home but not much use at home when working from home.
    Seems better going direct to Optus, Telstra or Vodafone.
    Bought a prepaid second sim on Vodafone to make calls as they support wifi calling but if I port out I’ll lose the bulk of the prepaid 12 months plan.

    Service was fine until they started tinkering with the tower.
    Optus says it’s fine as obviously their direct services supports volte and wifi calling. They allow this for MVNOs but they aren’t using it yet.

    Case for thé TIO?

    • RotundPolarBear on 23/05/2022 - 23:12

      I also prepaid for one year with Catch Connect only a month ago. Such a waste if I'm forced to switch providers already. And I only switched to them to try and save money!

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