Proactive Action - Xiaomi (& Other Chinese Brands / Import) Phone Owners Affected by 3G Shutdown (Now Due to Be Network Blocked)

Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 13:56
Last edited 01/11/2024 - 18:13 by 1 other user

UPDATE 1/11/24 - Response from grey import seller after I contacted them regarding a Redmi Note 12 that is no longer working. (Of course I know it is not their fault, but this is a good way to get more pressure on Xiaomi to do an update, and to put pressure on the government to whitelist"
"We have investigate the issue comprehensively and follow up instantly with distributor and ask them to push Xiaomi to resolve the issue. After our best endeavor, as of 31 OCT, Xiaomi confirm that their device is actually capable of emergency calls over 4G or 5G. This is an compatible device. However, the disconnection results from new ACMA regulations effective October 28, 2024, requiring carriers to restrict devices that can’t support 000 emergency calls over 4G or 5G from accessing their networks. It is out of our control. It is a government, manufacturer and network provider level. They recklessly blocking usable phone regardless of compatibility. They block for most phones that not purchase from them or from their partners and force you to buy a new one from them.
Meanwhile, we are pushing our distributor to communicate with manufacturer for updating the list and there are news that a firmware update will soon launch from Xiaomi."

UPDATE 1/11/24
Statement from Xiaomitech Australia (related to those who purchased in Australia through authorized channels)
https://shorturl.at/pAyfu

UPDATE 30/10/24 - Please also email
[email protected] as we now have some traction

  • After multiple emails I finally got a NON-standard response! Hope is on the horizon! If this ends up working, you all can shout me a beer (or preferably a non-alcoholic and refreshing beverage)!

"Hello, Greetings from Xiaomi Customer Support! This is Eric.
Thank you for your feedback. We have noticed this situation, and concerned team are working on it. Please wait for the system update.
We would like to know if your device is only unable to use the emergency call function normally, but is able to use other functions normally, or if it has no signal/service at all. Once we have your feedback, we will get back to you with proper handling.
Best Regards
Xiaomi Global Email Service"

SUMMARY

  • Certain 4G and 5G phones currently working on VoLTE may be actively blocked through a government directive after 28th October
  • These are usually grey import phones that revert to 3G for 000 emergency calls
  • There are a lot of people ignoring the annoying text and voice messages on their phones, thinking "My phone IS 4G/5G, I am not affected"
  • Come October 28, there is going to be a tsunami of shock and anger

Oct 24 last minute legislation to block 4G and 5G phones that revert to 3G for 000 calls
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01353/asmade/downloads

Banana3's Summary (READ THIS FIRST to understand what the issue actually IS, instead of spouting "3G shutdown has been announced for years…")
"Again, the issue is not whether 3G should be shut down or not. I think most people in this discussion agree that it needs to be shut down. The issue is that a few years ago the communication was: as long as your phone supports 4g, then you should be fine. Then earlier this year: No, 4g alone is not going to cut it, you need to have a phone that supports VoLTE. Then: Wait, actually, not just any VoLTE, only those that the network allows your phone to use (yes, Vodafone told me that when my perfectly working VoLTE phone stopped working after they shut down 3g). Then on the last minute: Oh wait, actually, not just that, your phone also needs to be able to call 000 on 4g by default. None of these have been properly planned, or thought of, or mitigated. It's all just a big mess. If anyone is confused, it's not their fault."

What to do?

Useful information:
The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling - https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-little-known-problems-with…

Mobile 3G Mobile Phone Xiaomi

Comments

  • Iggemo on 24/10/2024 - 14:06
    +1

    Hmm yeah i have a Redmi 10C (global version purchased from aliexpress) that was getting the messages (and the discounts from Amaysim) and was confused.

    • WatchNerd on 24/10/2024 - 14:14
      +6

      I was getting annoying messages on my Xiaomi Mi 9T with Belong (Telstra) so ported to Lebara (Voda) for a month, they've already shut down 3G & it works fine.

      • freefall101 on 24/10/2024 - 15:19
        +3

        They haven't started blocking phones that can't dial 000 yet though.

        Granted, I can't see why the 9T wouldn't work, it supports band 28 and volte. It should be able to do 000 calls.

        • djoz on 24/10/2024 - 15:28
          +3

          Unfortunately there's no real way to find out if any phone would fallback to 3G for 000 calls, or not.
          And due to this, many phones are being 'deemed' incompatible by the telcos.

          • freefall101 on 24/10/2024 - 16:10
            +2

            @djoz: Yeah, they're just using IMEI, not any details within the phone. One problem with Android is many model VoLTE isn't enabled by default, or it doesn't have the specific telstra details for LTE (voda and optus I believe are different), so while the phone supports it it's not on by default so they're likely just going to block them.

            It'd be interesting to see if different networks are treating different phones differently though, @WatchNerd what do you get now when texting 3 to 3498? I believe it's basically the same check as this - https://amta.org.au/3g-closure-old/check-my-device/ - but network dependant.

          • neoleo on 25/10/2024 - 08:07
            +1

            @djoz: https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-little-known-problems-with…

            There's a real way to find out if any phone would fallback to 3G for 000 calls, or not. Follow the instructions above, but be careful about the timing.

            • niggardly on 28/10/2024 - 14:38
              -2

              @neoleo: Isnt it easier to dial 000 to see if it rings? Can hang up before anyone picks up to not break the law for false 000 calling.

              • banana365 on 29/10/2024 - 13:28
                +4

                @niggardly: Don't hang up. At the very least say "sorry, I misdialled". The times I've assisted with fixed line phone installs and needed to confirm 000 works I've just been told to let them know I'm just calling to test. They've always responded positively.

                • ab c on 13/11/2024 - 06:51

                  @banana365: @banana365

                  Don't hang up. At the very least say "sorry, I misdialled"

                  May be there is adverse-impact of your suggestions ?

                  • teatea on 13/11/2024 - 12:59

                    @ab c: If you just hang up, there's a risk of them sending in a response team to check it up if they can't get hold of you. Just be honest up front so they can mark you as safe.

      • Iggemo on 24/10/2024 - 15:50

        They're selling Xiaomis at JB Hi Fi tho.. so they have to work, dont they?

        • WatchNerd on 24/10/2024 - 15:58
          +1

          Well I even rang Belong and asked them to turn off the messages before every phone call. They double checked my phone model and said they couldn't because it won't work after the 3G shutdown.

        • ab c on 13/11/2024 - 06:36

          @Iggemo

          They're selling Xiaomis at JB Hi Fi tho

          If they're block, any Xiaomis that you buy @ JB Hi-Fi can be return for full-refund, I wonder why ?

      • nigel deborah on 26/10/2024 - 07:22

        I thought 9T was affected as it also reverts to 3g for emergency calling. You might want to double check, just so you don't get stuck.

    • nzwilson on 31/10/2024 - 08:24

      Does your Redmi 10C still work ? What carrier are you with?

      My Redmi 10C was on Cole Mobile(optus) and it was blocked.

      • Iggemo on 01/11/2024 - 17:21
        +1

        Mine's blocked now, i was with Amaysim, Redmi 10C is now a brick : /.

        • nzwilson on 01/11/2024 - 17:28
          +1

          Yeah sad, I got it working for one day by moving the Sim to the other Sim slot which has a different imei. But was blocked the next day.

          Not sure if Vodafone will work with this phone.

  • askbargain on 24/10/2024 - 14:24
    -4

    so you want people to be able to use their phones normally but without 000?

    • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:23
      +12

      No, I want people to be aware of this issue and do something about it as per the suggestions in the description above.

      I also want the government to have actively informed the public about this issue many months ago and to notify the biggest online platforms, so the can notify potential buyers - but hey, that ship has sailed.

    • WatchNerd on 24/10/2024 - 15:04
      +3

      See my comment above. Belong Mobile were telling me to do just that, saying my phone won't work. There's a lot of misinformation going on.

      • djoz on 24/10/2024 - 15:30
        +1

        I agree with you. Vodafone shut off 3G in Jan'2024. I wonder why those customers were not being cared of. As per the ongoing (mis)information, many overseas phones are unable to call 000 over VoLTE and fallback to 3G. That said, it is also mentioned that 000 would use any available network (not just your provider's network) to place a call. I wonder if phones manufactured worldwide are configured like this - to use other networks for 000. Is 000 a universal emergency number (worldwide)? I thought it was only an Aus thing.

        • Iggemo on 24/10/2024 - 15:49

          It's not universal, it's 112 in england and 911 in USA but i believe dialling ANY of those numbers now connects you to emergency in Aus (this was not the case many years ago).

          • Jono05 on 26/10/2024 - 09:34
            +2

            @Iggemo: 112 is the universal emergency number for mobiles. 999 is the emergency number in the UK.

        • R-Man on 28/10/2024 - 10:13
          +1

          112 is universal, but I am unsure if that means it gets the "any network" free pass that 000 gets.

          And my thinking is the "any network" isn't such an intelligent feature. I think it only has one method: When my phone loses signal it says "emergency only". That tells me it's lost my network's signal (Telstra) signal and has switched me to say, Optus, where I only have emergency call rights.

          But if I'm successfully on Telstra with high signal, and 000 over VoLTE is not working, my phone will not be smart enough to switch me to Optus.

    • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 16:14
      +15

      This issue clearly doesn't affect you, or it does, but you have the means to buy another phone.
      This is obviously an issue that IS affecting multiple people, some who cannot afford another phone or are annoyed that the $300 they just spent a month ago is potentially going down the drain.
      The point of this forum post is to share ideas and to encourage proactive action.
      If you have any helpful tips, please feel free to add to the conversation.

        • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 16:42
          +16

          Thanks for another pointless comment and missing the point and having zero perspective and empathy.

            • fring on 24/10/2024 - 19:45
              +13

              @brendanm: I don't mind them shutting down the 3G network as planned on the 28th but I would like them to give people 3-6 months notice before blocking their device. That way, those devices that can make calls using VoLTE, but deemed incapable of making calls by the Telcos, can still be used. It will also give people affected by this a chance to buy a replacement phone.

              Yes, we've all known that they were shutting down the 3G network for a while now, but the requirement for emergency triple-0 calls over VoLTE wasn't emphasised or well publicised until the last couple of months. If they had spent more money communicating this (the E000 requirement) to the public 12 months ago, I don't think the uproar would be as great.

              I note that the Emergency Call Services Amendment was only finalised and passed into law in the last day or two:

              https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01353/asmade/downloads

              I wasn't planning on acting on it until it became official.

              • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:05
                +3

                @fring: Thank you fring for a very thorough response - you have said it way better than I could have, and with more patience as well.
                I hope that brendanm finally gets what the issue is now and got the clarification that he was after (or not).

                I did not know that the legislation was only finalized just now - seems like a long read, so if anyone is game to provide a summary of it here, that would be much appreciated.

      • SBOB on 24/10/2024 - 20:21
        +2

        are annoyed that the $300 they just spent a month ago is potentially going down the drain.

        seems like any phone bought locally that recent would be an immediate refund via the retailer if it was no longer suitable.

        • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:24
          +2

          That would definitely be a reasonable thing to expect. If you bought overseas from Aliexpress or the like, game over dude.

          • SBOB on 24/10/2024 - 21:18
            -4

            @Tuukmaak:

            If you bought overseas from Aliexpress or the like, game over dude.

            so the buyer takes no responsibility in that instance? the 3g shutdown, along with a lot of the 4g lte limitations of some devices, isnt 'this week' news, its been known for some time?

            • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 21:21
              +6

              @SBOB: As per fring's comment above, the legislation to BLOCK such phones was only finalized today.

              How can one take responsibility for an item bought months ago, when it was only just decided that the government will actively block otherwise functional 4G and 5G phones?

            • Gareth on 25/10/2024 - 10:16
              +2

              @SBOB: The problem here is not that whether your phone needs 3G, it is whether the telco is sure that it will work on 4G/VoLTE.

              If your phone is a model your telco doesn't know - which is most likely the vast majority of phones not sold in Australia - it is likely to be cut off.

              The law is making Telcos responsible to ensuring everyone that has a phone service can dial 000. Hence they may be responsive if (bad outcomes) occur because someone's phone couldn't call emergency services. I'm sure this is not a position their lawyers will want them in.

              • RiseAndRuin on 26/10/2024 - 14:07

                @Gareth:

                The law is making Telcos responsible to ensuring everyone that has a phone service can dial 000.

                Not really, unless they're giving away 4g phones for free.

              • jrvb42 on 12/11/2024 - 14:46
                +1

                @Gareth: Blocking the phone doesn't ensure emergency calls can be made after 3G cutoff.
                It ensures the phone can't be used at all - for emergencies or otherwise.
                So if there is an emergency, the owners of these phones are COMPLETELY stuck, not merely (possibly) unable to call 000.
                It's an irresponsible way to handle the situation, possibly putting people in danger/peril.

                It's especially stupid when considering recently bought phones are being blocked - they should never have been allowed to be sold - definitely not fit for purpose.

                • Duff5000 on 12/11/2024 - 21:34

                  @jrvb42:

                  locking the phone doesn't ensure emergency calls can be made after 3G cutoff.

                  They are clearly trying to avoid a situation where people just keep using phones then find out in an emergency they cant make emergency calls. Blocking the network to these devices obviously motivates people to get a different device.

                  So if there is an emergency, the owners of these phones are COMPLETELY stuck, not merely (possibly) unable to call 000

                  Nah thats not true. You can still make emergency calls if the device is capable of doing so. They didn't just turn off the 3g service, they appear to have left some crossover. If your device is one of those that cant make 000 calls over VoLTE then for the moment it may still be able to drop back to 3g. You dont even need a sim for that.

                  It's especially stupid when considering recently bought phones are being blocked - they should never have been allowed to be sold - definitely not fit for purpose.

                  Anything sold here for years now was meant to be able to do 000 VoLTE calls on all networks (requirement since 2019 i believe). There have been a few people caught up having bought apparently AU stock Xiaomi that was blocked by mistake. Seeing how Xiaomi have handled it post the cut-off date it seems they are just have little to no thought about us as a market. They should have been onto that making sure all their AU devices were on any approved devices list.

                  Most of us that had devices blocked have imported devices, not stuff from JB or similar. If i did buy one from an Australian retailer then yeah, i would absolutely take it back.

            • idonotknowwhy on 27/10/2024 - 00:22
              +2

              @SBOB: Could you like… read the thread carefully, or get ChatGPT to explain the "nuances" to you?

    • Loopholio on 25/10/2024 - 09:38
      +6

      Hey everyone! @brendanm is buying everyone new phones!

      I'll take the latest iPhone Supermax 69 so I can casually show people my new iPhone and complain about how much better using Android is.

    • IpGem on 27/10/2024 - 09:25
      +1

      Ok will collect your credit card today then

        • IpGem on 27/10/2024 - 14:59
          +1

          Perhaps you need to read the op in full and reply like a grown up.

        • Devaust on 31/10/2024 - 10:58
          +3

          @Brendanm Imagine been so technology illiterate that you use word combinations like ‘proxy Chinese phone.’ Imagine not understanding global manufacturing and logistics supply chain when technically ALL phones except for Korean & handful of niche/government tailored brands are manufactured in China so technically they all fall under your ‘Chinese proxy phone.’

          I know you’re trying to inject a bit of subtle racism/xenophobia and you’re likely one of those ignorant people that has never bothered to verify or validate what you read from news.com and uses throw away terms like ‘national security’ for anything you lack the nuance in understanding.

          TL;DR is latest legalisation is very politically fuelled you can say almost conveniently targeting ‘grey market’ aka Chinese phones even though most of the models are just as advanced and same wireless standards/specs as Samsung (closest comparison). This legislation is the issue in that it passed relative last minute, has not so secret agenda influenced by US policy and strategic alignment that is unnecessarily adversely affecting everyday citizens looking for a good deal and trying to pay exorbitant prices on phones when you get feature parity or better from China domestic brands just like cars.

          Your prejudice doesn’t alter those facts simply your perception and refusal to accept them. You’ll find more common minded people by searching subreddits like ‘China bad’, ‘China danger’ etc. I’m sure you’ll be get your daily injection of bias reinforcement there.

          • brendanm on 31/10/2024 - 11:39
            -4

            @Devaust: Poxy, not proxy.

            When I say "poxy chinese phone", I mean from a Chinese manufacturer, not from a manufacturer who makes phones in china.

            But sure, cry "muh racism" 😂

  • djsweet on 24/10/2024 - 15:29
    +4

    C&C order a phone and if your phone stops working pick it up, and if it keeps working then don’t pick it up and get a refund? Strategy to beat the rush on the day

    • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:08
      +1

      Good idea!

  • datscheap on 24/10/2024 - 15:30
    +3

    My poco x3 nfc has constant messages voice/txt warnings of the shutoff.
    Ive bought a samsung a35 in readiness but will ride the Poco onwards until it get kicked from the network.
    Justa a few more days to go

    • reactor-au on 25/10/2024 - 08:08
      +1

      My mother was kicked off amayasim with x3 pro NFC last week already. I was confused since it supports all the bands expect 1 Telstra 5g band.
      Gave up and switched to an older pixel phone.

    • gutwagon on 28/10/2024 - 11:08
      +2

      Just replaced my X3 with a moto G85 and it is nowhere near as good as the X3.

      • djoz on 28/10/2024 - 11:10
        +2

        I've been using MIUI since the past 10+ years (since Aug'2014). I know how it would feel to move to stock Android / other UI.
        I'll be doing the same soon.

        • sir_bazz on 28/10/2024 - 11:18
          +1

          My Redmi Note 9 Pro and Poco F5 both still working.

          Will be interesting to see which other Xiaomi devices are impacted.

          • sabby32 on 28/10/2024 - 21:54
            +2

            @sir_bazz: My Redmi Note 9 Pro is also still ok. Fingers crossed we miss the cut!

            • HopSkipJumpFallSplat on 28/10/2024 - 21:59
              +2

              @sabby32: Telstra(Boost) blocked my Redmi Note 9 pro, Optus(Amaysim) havn't… yet.

              • sabby32 on 29/10/2024 - 14:33
                +1

                @HopSkipJumpFallSplat: How effin annoying!!! I'm ok to purchase a new phone, but I want another Xiaomi. I cannot believe we're being dictated on what phones we can and can't buy!!!

    • geordie on 28/10/2024 - 11:10
      +2

      Ive got a poco x3NFC and I have now been punted

      • djoz on 28/10/2024 - 11:11
        +1

        Which network?

      • samina on 28/10/2024 - 14:46
        +2

        i have poco x3 nfc and it is still working on coles mobile.
        Intrestingly, my room mate has redmi note 13 pro from outside Australia which always shows that 3G switch off mssg. That is still working.
        By the way, Redmi Note 13 pro is on sale at JB Hi-fi, so i am keen and waiting to see what happens next on both phones.

        • Iggemo on 28/10/2024 - 16:34
          +1

          is $700 on sale? I can't see any sale price at JB for that model?

  • GordonD on 24/10/2024 - 15:32
    +1

    I would be willing to pay OnePlus to update the software in my Nord N10 5G phone.

    OnePlus now do operate in this country, and presumably has or could direct me to trained technicians doing warranty and repairs. Its a good phone with good specs. I've seen instructions on how it is done. I'm just not confident that I could identify and get certain carrier-related software components necessary. OnePlus could, and has them.

    • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:07

      Hopefully they will listen to their customers and make the necessary changes, otherwise it will hit their bottom line hard.

    • gutwagon on 28/10/2024 - 11:05
      +2

      Unfortunately updating software in your phone is only half the issue. You need to get the telco's to recognize your phone model as being compatible. They make this decision under the legislation and they would rather sell more new phones than spend time and money testing old model phones. And they would only approve that model if the update was made to every phone not just yours.

  • TheFreaK on 24/10/2024 - 15:59
    +2

    One of my family member's phones was getting the annoying text and voice messages on their phone but it stopped a few weeks ago, and now if they call that number to check it says their device is supported

    • Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 20:07
      +1

      Interesting, what phone is it?

      • TheFreaK on 24/10/2024 - 20:10
        +5

        Poco X3 GT

        • GettingThePlus190s on 25/10/2024 - 10:29
          +1

          Hm, I have the exact model, wonder why mine has not stopped those msgs

    • Loopholio on 25/10/2024 - 09:45
      +2

      I had the same thing happen on my old Nokia 6.1 2018 (grey import). It was cleared by Aldi Mobile a few months ago. It has all the right bands and VoLTE.

    • Alexxx on 26/10/2024 - 07:38

      I would be cautious of this. I was testing my Huawei Nova 2 lite by texting 3 to 3498.
      First message 'you device is not a mobile phone', second message 'your Samsung galaxy A12 will not be impacted', and same for 3rd message.
      But I still got the emails from Amaysim directly saying my device would not be supported.

  • Banana3 on 24/10/2024 - 16:03
    +3

    I have a Samsung S7 Edge bought here that keeps getting that message. This is confusing.

  • neoleo on 24/10/2024 - 22:04
    -7

    I think the only way is to delay again the 3G shutdown that will affect phones blocking. Class action lawsuit is the answer. Need a law company that have the experience to handle class action lawsuit.

    If there's class action lawsuit submitted before 28 Oct, then maybe 3G shutdown could be delayed by judge order.

    I have OnePlus Nord CE3 Lite 5G. Read my comments here about all 3 networks and my phone:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15764389/redir

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15784288/redir

    Maybe people should try to force LTE only mode on their phone. Install Force LTE app for example. Good read:
    https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/how-to-check-for-working-volte…

    • nigel deborah on 26/10/2024 - 07:23

      Isn't this shit legislated, can you sue the government about the content of actual laws? Seems unlikely to be a thing…

  • Loopholio on 25/10/2024 - 09:51
    +6

    This may be a stupid question, but do internet petitions ever work? I thought they were as useful as a toothbrush made entirely of ants..

    • Jac33au on 25/10/2024 - 10:04
      +4

      No, and definitely not last-minute ones like this. There have been notices and delays for YEARS about this. This is normal though, same kind of responses happened when 2g got turned off. World didn't end and it won't this time either.

      • neoleo on 26/10/2024 - 09:45
        -2

        Judge order from lawsuits maybe could delay this …

        Only the banning phone part at least …

  • c64 on 25/10/2024 - 10:04
    +1

    i have a redmi 10. kogan sent me this text message:

    We have identified that the phone you are using will continue to receive service after 3G networks close in Australia at the end of October. However, 000 emergency calls in some regional areas may be impacted due to the capabilities of your phone. Upgrading your handset can improve your access to 000 across Australia. Need further help or to discuss your options? Call us on 1300 056 426. Kogan Mobile.

    • zuruhara on 25/10/2024 - 14:03
      +1

      Wow this is a new variant of mesage.
      May or may not work

    • gutwagon on 28/10/2024 - 11:11

      I got that weeks ago on Kogan. It will be followed by one saying due to legislation your phone will be blocked. Then your phone will be blocked from 28/10.

      • c64 on 28/10/2024 - 16:14

        it's still connected, data is OK but i'm scared to make a phone call :)

  • Jac33au on 25/10/2024 - 10:06

    It's worth a google search because many of these phones do actually support, you will just have to get into dev settings to turn it on. My partners Poco X5 is one of those, she still gets the messages and voice warnings, but Volte is turned on. I guess we'll know for sure next week.

    • GordonD on 25/10/2024 - 21:19

      It's worth a google search because many of these phones do actually support.

      I know for certain mine does. Its just the settings that have to be changed are hidden unless you can set it to technician mode. But when you do, you also have to load a file that is specific to the Australian carrier you want to use it on. Apparently that file is not generic. But I don't know whether it is specific to the OS on the phone, or the brand, or the chipset in the phone, so I have no idea if the one I can get that is intended for another phone will work on mine.

    • stealthpaw on 28/10/2024 - 15:38
      +2

      Yeah same. My phone 100% supports the new standard, and even after talking to the telco they still say it will be blocked because they can't identify that it's supported.
      So RIP all non-telco branded phones in Australia I guess.
      The indomitable conglomerate's who have an absolute monopoly on the phone market are becoming even more powerful.

    • Jac33au on 12/11/2024 - 09:26

      Well, telstra blocked it. Optus didn't so now we moved all our services to optus.

  • cfuse on 25/10/2024 - 10:11
    -2

    If it is a matter of 000 calling then I'd rather they go overboard than otherwise.

    That being said, the entire phone software and hardware ecosystem is a trainwreck. If you aren't going to support long product lifecycles for what are essentially portable computers at this point then you need some way of dealing with obsolescence.

  • BudgetAce on 25/10/2024 - 15:44
    +12

    The way I read it, it's a coordinated push with telco + govt to get ppl to splash their cash and buy new phones. So voda, optus, telstra, harvey, jb all make a windfall this christmas.

    I see no reason why the telcos has to selectively allow phones that already support volte to be let onto their networks. Instead the telcos should not be filtering phone models and leave it to the phone itself, if the phone isn't compatible with the telcos volte setup, fair. But to actively block phones, that's just anti-competitive behaviour. I bet in EU, the telcos would be hauled infront of the courts for this kind of phone discrimination.

    In short, people should be allowed to choose what phones they like and can afford. Not be coerced into it.

    • Toxinor on 25/10/2024 - 16:54
      +10

      It shouldn't be the case to ban a 4g/5g phone simply due to the requirements using 000.
      It sounds like a trick to misguide the customer changing new phones even though they don't necessarily have to.

      • nigel deborah on 26/10/2024 - 07:26

        I disagree. I think the proprietary volte stuff is nonsense and shouldn't be permitted (can't use Telstra because your phone doesn't have the right whatever), but the 000 thing makes perfect sense. Consumers are stupid, if you allow them to own phones that might suddenly be unable to make emergency calls, there are going to be people who die because of it

        • BudgetAce on 26/10/2024 - 11:34
          +5

          It's actually the same thing. If the phone can connect to the telcos volte network, they would be able to make 000 calls.
          What the govt + telcos are doing is to actively block 4G/5G phones that can connect to the telcos volte network, forcing them to splash unnecessary cash to buy new phones.

          Granted most consumer are like sheep, I know a fair few of them. Most of them basically get their phones on a plan with voda, optus and telstra. And they mostly won't be affected. It's the rest that like a bargain and get a cheap plan with amaysim, belong, mate, more, etc and refuse to pay exorbitant prices hence choosing the absolutely volte capable phones like xiaomi, oppo, motorola, etc. Why should they be penalised just cause they refuse to handover their cash to the big telcos or to harvey and jb.

          • nigel deborah on 26/10/2024 - 12:15
            +5

            @BudgetAce: 3g 000 calls is a handset software issue, only the OEMs can resolve. Telcos though do need to make sure they unblock any phones where the OEM does actually roll out a fix.

            • Potsie on 10/11/2024 - 20:42

              @nigel deborah: Are you able to share any more information about that? Various comments I have seen state that differently. eg. Telsta in their submission to the Senate Committee on 3G closure said "phone are hardwired to use 3G", whereas James Parker talked about trying different "mbm modem settings" to achieve different results. I have been unable to find anywhere that clearly talks about how 4G 000 calling works and am trying to glean scraps of information from where I can…

        • RiseAndRuin on 26/10/2024 - 14:13
          +5

          but the 000 thing makes perfect sense

          I've been calling 000 on my neighbours for ~1.5 years, until the police got them evicted for good a few months ago. All calls were on 4G/volte, and I provided the screenshots of the call logs to my provider (coles/optus), but they will block my phone regardless, for absolutely no good reason.

          • Toxinor on 29/10/2024 - 17:34

            @RiseAndRuin: I don't think so. There's no reason to block a phone when you could connect to the networks and the only issue is 000.
            Providers always say there's a approved device list, but they cannot enforce these - in doing so, they're refusing a lot of oversea travellers.
            Removing a phone from 4g/5g network simply because it doesn't connect to 3g doesn't make sense.

  • mungicide on 25/10/2024 - 16:09
    -3

    This is the reason why 3G needs to be shutdown - SS7 protocols Vulnerability Attack
    https://youtu.be/wVyu7NB7W6Y?si=ySiPq41wp1taGyes

    • Banana3 on 25/10/2024 - 16:35
      +28

      Again, the issue is not whether 3G should be shut down or not. I think most people in this discussion agree that it needs to be shut down. The issue is that a few years ago the communication was: as long as your phone supports 4g, then you should be fine. Then earlier this year: No, 4g alone is not going to cut it, you need to have a phone that supports VoLTE. Then: Wait, actually, not just any VoLTE, only those that the network allows your phone to use (yes, Vodafone told me that when my perfectly working VoLTE phone stopped working after they shut down 3g). Then on the last minute: Oh wait, actually, not just that, your phone also needs to be able to call 000 on 4g by default. None of these have been properly planned, or thought of, or mitigated. It's all just a big mess. If anyone is confused, it's not their fault.

      • Iggemo on 25/10/2024 - 19:37
        +5

        Well said, great comment.

      • RiseAndRuin on 26/10/2024 - 14:15
        +12

        Oh wait, actually, even though your phone is able to call 000 on 4g/volte by default, it's not in our database of compatible models, so we'll block it just to be safe.

        Edit: phone was bought in Australia, in case someone wants to raise that issue.

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