3G Closure Buyers Guide

If you need to purchase a new handset due to the 3G networks closures, here is some important information to guide your purchasing decision.

Your mobile service provider will have a number of options, and recommend a handset that will suit your needs. If you are exploring other, more affordable options, there are a number of handset dealers that sell refurbished, slightly older devices that will work properly once your 3G network closes.

We are warning the public against buying devices off-shore or from retailers that are sourcing handsets that are made for other markets, otherwise known as grey-market devices.

These devices may not allow emergency calling once the 3G networks close down. This is because they are not designed to support all the Australian mobile frequency bands, and may not support features like 4G and 5G (VoLTE) emergency calling.  Learn about VoLTE.

AMTA recommends that you purchase from a reputable dealer based in Australia.

You should ask the seller if the device can:

1. Support all Australian mobile frequency bands, especially the 700 MHz band.
2. Support 4G and 5G voice calling (VoLTE).
3. Support 4G and 5G (VoLTE) emergency calling.

Buying a device from a reputable dealer means you can ask these specific questions, and if there is a problem you will have some recourse to exchange or secure a refund if the device fails to meet Australian device standards.

If you are in a vulnerable circumstance or experiencing financial hardship, we encourage you to contact your service provider to discuss options. Search for information from your service provider here.

If you’re wondering what to do with your old 3G phone, consider recycling it with the official mobile phone recycling program of the telecommunications industry, MobileMuster.