Got an older device and you aren't sure if it'll work properly after 3G shuts down?
SMS to "3498" (yep, just 4 digits), and in body of text type "3G".
It'll reply in a couple of seconds whether your device will work ok without 3G.
You're welcome :).
3G Shutdown- Did You Know You Can SMS a Number and It'll Tell You if Your Device Will Work after Shutdown?
UFO on 14/08/2024 - 15:09
Comments
Oh…. they didn't come up on search.
Just got excited after hearing about it, and after a quick search with no hits I posted. Apologies.
Still worth a post imo. Not sure everyone has dug into the comments of those threads
No need to apologize
Why not?
How could you possibly be unsure if it has a SIM that you can SMS from?
I've been getting SMS reminders weekly as well as every time I make a call despite the fact my phone is actually probably 100% going to be fine (only minor doubt is Emergency calling, but even that I'm reasonably confident on)??
3G hasn't been turned off yet. Of course there's a lot of people out there unsure if their phones will work.
My point is that the carriers are very pro-actively notifying people who have incompatible devices. (it's an opportunity to sell you a new handset after all!)
too proactively ;).
they are messaging me insinuating the urgency of a new phone, but carefully using words like 'may' and 'should'.
I reckon more than a few people (especially more vulnerable ones) are buying new phones now out of fear now, when it may not even be required at all.
Some people don't read SMS messages…
3G Kindles are harder to receive messages on.
Not sure if this is 100% accurate for all phones.
Despite my phone (Poco F3) supporting 4G/5G VoLTE & VoWIFI and most of the necessary frequency bands, I constantly get texts/emails from Amaysim saying I need to upgrade (they're even threatening to turn off my auto-renewal).That's why I posted.
I'm getting almost daily sms's on the kids phones telling me they 'have detected I'm using an older phone that uses 3G and it may not work correctly' and I should purchase a new phone/s.
Yet when I test them using the above number, they'll work fine.
How long did it take? I tested it with my S23 Ultra ~an hour ago and still haven't gotten anything back yet…
Sending "3" should work.
Within seconds. eSIM on Telstra using a Pixel 8 Pro
My experience on the 2 previous occasions that I've tested (in April and June) is that this service tells me in no uncertain terms that my device "will" be impacted ,despite the AMTA service telling me they don't really know, and that my device is happily using VoLTE.
Calls to emergency numbers 000 and 112 will probably not work.
From Optus email:
Even though you have a newer 4G/5G model it relies on 3G to make emergency calls to 000, putting your safety at risk when 3G is switched off. You will not be able to make calls to Triple Zero ‘000’.More info:
https://www.lightreading.com/2g-3g-4g/australia-could-delay-…
https://www.aldimobile.com.au/blogs/3g-shutdown-faqs/emergen…
https://www.acma.gov.au/3g-network-switch
100% inaccurate, you can see my previous comments and screenshots on other posts.
Care to provide any proof here? I can't read all your 549 comments.
Ok, I found your screenshot, but it doesn't mean that other Xiaomi/Poco models (or even Redmi Note 5 with a different firmware) will be using 4G for emergency calls.
Also, if your network is not available, the phone will try to connect to other networks and possibly switch to 3G.Ok, I found your screenshot, but it doesn't mean that other Xiaomi/Poco models (or even Redmi Note 5 with a different firmware) will be using 4G for emergency calls.
I never claimed that.
The point is what you stated above and the comms from Optus etc… are 100% inaccurate.My phone is now 6+ years old, so it's safe to assume there will be many other phones out there that can easily be set to use 4G/Volte/etc… as a default, and they shouldn't have issues as long as they support the necessary bands.
IMHO The more reliable way to test is to see if you can then make calls, including to 000, and check what network is being used.Also, if your network is not available, the phone will try to connect to other networks
So the same as any other phone?
and possibly switch to 3G.
There are settings in most phones to avoid that, unless there is no 4G network available to you at all in the area, in which case you'd have the same issue with a new phone.
There are settings in most phones to avoid that, unless there is no 4G network available to you at all in the area, in which case you'd have the same issue with a new phone.
As far as I know, there are no such settings specifically for emergency numbers. Which can be called without a sim-card and therefore follow different rules. Some phones may switch to 3G band because it's 'more reliable'.
The only way to prove is to call 000 and test, but obviously it's not a good idea.
In any case I'm sure the providers will continue harassing us until we update our phones..
Looks like you and I are in the same boat as I too have the Poco F3
i have a redmi note 10 pro. i enabled VOLTE using the method described elsewhere on the forum. it works fine on the vodafone network, which had 3G turned off at the beginning of the year
Good to hear :)
Did You Know You Can SMS a Number and It'll Tell You if Your Device Will Work after Shutdown?
Yes
It just occurred to me today that I got my electricity smart meter back in 2009. When I looked up 4G, it didn't come to Australia until 2011. And I can't recollect anyone ever asking for access to the locked garage its in to update it to 4G. I've contacted my electricity retailer, but I know they don't own the meters or do the remote meter reading.
AFAIK most smart meters use a different wireless standard, not 3G or 4G.
We'll see what my electricity retailer says.
Google can find me plenty of sites that say they do use the cellular phone network. And others that say the supplier involved is updating the modem in their meters so they'll continue operating when 3G goes down.
I got the answer from my electricity retailer.
It says the meter company is currently converting its meters from 3G to 4G, and they'll SMS me for access when it is required.
So, yes, electricity smart meters use the 3G/4G network.
And if they are still in the process of doing it even as Telstra is putting off the 3G shutdown, it is indicative of pretty poor planning for something that that was planned a long way in advance.
SP Ausnet used WiMax… there’s a range of technologies out there in use.
That is very poor if there are still some 3G ones out there!!
I believe this method is not accurate, it might tell you your device will not work just based on the model name of your device. They might have some kind of white list, but it is not complete.
The SMS isn't accurate - my parents phone has 4G (on by default) and VOLTE (which wasn't on by default but I turned it on through hidden settings/dial codes) - but the SMS service says their phone won't work in the future.
The final unknown is whether Emergency calls will go over VoLTE, which apparently it wont on some models.
It's just occurred to me that I know my handset doesn't (no longer) connect to Telstra's VoLTE due to the manufacturer's and/or Telstra's shennanigans with settings that are baked into the device Firmware and are therefore not user accessible/programmable.
I also know that Emergency calls can me made on any network.
So it's very possible that if I'm in a Telstra only area, even though my handset might happily direct 000 calls over VoLTE on Optus's network, it would be unable to do so on Telstra's, and thereby heavily limit the coverage area that Emergency calls might be made.
This is not something that I've read before, just a hypothesis that makes sense that I've arrived at now.
I sms'd that number now lots of hot russian women want to date me
Telstra sent me a free phone because I hadn't done anything about upgrading to 4g. It's a Telstra T-inspire. No sim card though so I had to go to the shops and buy one as my old sim card is 10 years old and too big to fit in the new phone.
Are you on a post paid plan ?
prepaid - casual. I get the 6 months for $35 one.
From Amaysim (Optus Network) just now:
Hi JV,
Just a quick update about your auto-renew setting. We had told you that your auto-renew would be switched off this Friday 16 August. This won’t be happening just yet as the 3G network switch off has been pushed out to 28 October 2024.Just need to check if your phone has:
1) B28 (700 MHz)
2) VOLTEYou can check network specs/bands supported by your device by performing a google search (GSM Arena is mostly up to date and has most phones)
Also check page 4 of this guide to check if your phone has VOLTE.
Just need to check if your phone has:
1) B28 (700 MHz)
2) VOLTEmy phone doesn't have B28, yet I'm on 4G today with no issues, and receiving these silly messages from tesltra and optus. How will that 4G coverage change when 3G is turned off?
Ive had messages saying my phone is fine, and messages saying it wont be: They dont know what they're doing, what chance for your parents or grandparents?.
Thank you for this guide. I'm wondering if anyone can help verify my phone for emergency calling.
I have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T. I have enabled VoLTE. I can see that my calls are via 4G but the emergency calling situation remains uncertain.
Following the "Additional Instructions for Emergency Calling Testing" guide I have:
- Installed NetMonster which showed "Telstra 3G 850"
- Set preferred network type to "LTE Only", and then the Network Band showed as "Optus 4G 1800"I then attempted an emergency call, I heard the short pre-recorded message, and the phone started ringing and I hung up. The "1800" icon in the notification area did not change.
I'm unsure what the instructions suggest. Does anyone know if this confirms that my phone can indeed make emergency calls (unlike what Optus are telling me!).
Firstly;
If - like many Xiaomi handsets - your handset can't connect to regular Telstra VoLTE (even though it happily connects to Optus VoLTE and even makes Emergency Calls over the Optus VoLTE network), it's highly likely that it will be unable to make Emergency calls over Telstra's network following the shutdown.
And therefore it's likely that Emergency Calls will not work in a Telstra only coverage area.It could be for this reason alone that you (and I) are getting warning messages. (but we'll never know before the shutdown as the provided information is a freaking disgrace!)
Moving on, I'm unfamiliar with the app, and very confused as to why/how it thought you were connected to Telstra 3G 850, but then to Optus 4G 1800…
Do you have a Telstra or Optus network SIM? (as above, I'm assuming Optus)
(Note that setting the device to LTE only will not necessarily affect the Emergency call routing which may, and arguably should, connect over any network it can)The "best" test I can think of, is when on an Emergency call, the device shows HD calling or maintains LTE signal in the status bar, this would provide evidence that the device is making the call over VoLTE. Of course, you shouldn't be prank dialling Emergency to perform such a test.
Nobody, aside from a network engineer, can confirm 100% though.I do occasionally traverse Telstra only coverage areas, so by the logic in my first point even though I think my Xiaomi Mi 9T is otherwise compliant, I am planning to upgrade prior to the shutdown.
Yes, I've tried a Telstra SIM in my Xiaomi and it will not connect to Telstra VoLTE. For the most part I usually stick to metro areas, but you make a good point here.
I have an Optus SIM (Amaysim). I doubt this helps, but confirming that after I removed the SIM from my phone the NetMonster app advised I was on "Telstra 3G 850", and then "Optus 4G 1800" after setting network type to "LTE Only".
Thanks for sharing that info about LTE only and the "best test". I confirm I will not be prank dialing Emergency! Interesting that you've advised only a network engineer can confirm 100% - AMTA and Amaysim tell me I need to upgrade. I'm wanting to prove them wrong, but might have to concede defeat!
Perhaps I shall also plan to upgrade prior to leaving metro areas. Thanks very much for your reply.
@Hopscotchy: I say "Nobody, aside from a network engineer, can confirm 100% though."
Because they are the only people with access to see what's actually going on.
Any test you do as a user could have a myriad of reasons why it does or doesn't work.And the AMTA/Carriers have not provided sufficient information to inspire any confidence of their assessments.
I have a boost refurb iphone XR. Am confused whether this will be supported. Messaged said it wouldn’t. Someone help
It's a sinking ship. There's nobody to help.
See above - "Nobody, aside from a network engineer, can confirm 100% though."
Is the software up to date and is VoLTE activated?
I'd expect it to be compatible. Carriers think it is.
https://support.tpg.com.au/voice-over-lte-volte#toc_6
https://www.telstra.com.au/support/mobiles-devices/enable-vo…The only reason I can think it might not be supported is if it's an imported model?
My Redmi Note 9 has everything it needs to survive the 3G shutdown but I won't really know until after it shuts down. I've been told that by an amaysim CS techie, and I've been inundated with emails and txts from them to upgrade.
My POCO x3 NFC has prefer LTE in Network type + it also has "Use volte" enabled. But i keep getting messages that i will be impacted. I though if your phone supports VOLTE then it's not affected
See https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/865003
If the Telcos don't think your phone can do emergency (000/112) VoLTE calling on all three Australian networks your in trouble.
thanks for that. so even if my phone has VOLTE enable to normal calling but the same VOLTE cannot be used to make emergency call then telco will cut off the network on my phone. Making it not usable?
Yes I think your phone might not handle Telstra VoLTE so they will all eventually block it (assuming no official firmware update fixes this issue).
Reviewing the new E000 legislation, specifically Section 6.2.a.ii, the language makes it pretty clear that handsets must be able to connect to ALL networks' VoLTE services to make an Emergency call.
As such, if the device is unable to register VoLTE sevice on Voda and/or Telstra networks (specifically those 2 because Optus seems to be generally compatible with any VoLTE capable device), then it is automatically flagged as being incompatible with VoLTE, because by definition, even if it wants to make the call over VoLTE, it is unable to connect to the network to do so.
How the government thinks that this is the acceptable solution is beyond me, but that's the way it is until they pull their finger out and make legislation requiring the networks to reconfigure their services to be as globally compatible as possible.
Of course the carrier lobbyists will be arguing (and donating) hard against any such legislation.
It's a sh*t fight!. There isn't even standardisation between the Aussie telco's for VoLTE and here I am with a phone that will do sim-less E000 to Optus and Voda but not Telstra, so by definition come Novemeber 1st my phone should be banned; can make VoLTE non-emergency calls using Voda/Optus, but not Telstra.
The whole things stinks, putting the cart before the horse and moving ahead without standardisation.
Anyway, I'll wait and see before hiting the market for a new phone.
Like the suggestion from:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/846539
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15566507/redir
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15568411/redir
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15438213/redir
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15252061/redir