Today’s delay of the 3G shutdown is a direct consequence of the mishandling of the issue by the Albanese Government.
As we have been highlighting for months, the Government was too slow to act on the warning signs, and significant responsibility for the delay sits clearly at the doorstop of the Communications Minister.
In July, we said that due to the Albanese Government’s gross incompetence it now appears highly likely that the 3G shutdown will have to be delayed. That decision has been confirmed today.
The Government was clearly disinterested in the issue and were seen to be washing their hands of the issue until what has been an untidy, last-minute scramble as the shutdown deadline loomed.
It took too long to respond to the warnings that started coming in over a year ago.
An IT expert told the recent Senate inquiry into the 3G shutdown that he wrote to the Communications Minister in June last year to warn her about risks of 4G phones being unable to call triple zero. Optus was also highlighting problems to the Government, back in July.
The Senate inquiry also heard powerful evidence about the risks of the shutdown to people with various devices, including medical and fire alarms.
Telstra and Optus have today confirmed they will delay the shutdown of their 3G networks until 28 October. Telstra had been due to shut down its 3G network in about two weeks, while Optus was due to follow in September.
We welcome the plans which Telstra and Optus have announced, including a public safety campaign for those still relying on the 3G network.
The freeing up of 3G spectrum for use in other productive telecommunications uses is an important reform, which was first announced five years ago.
The Communications Minister must ensure that the Albanese Government works hand-in-glove with the telecommunications sector and public to ensure the 3G transition is smooth and successful.