Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G shutdown to affect small, family and farming businesses

Leon Delaney

There are lots and lots and lots of pieces of business equipment that might well be caught up in the phase out of 3G. Joining me now, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson. Good afternoon.

Bruce Billson

Leon, great to be with you and your listeners. 

Leon Delaney

Thanks for joining us today. I was a little bit surprised by just how long this list of business equipment and other related devices actually is. There's a lot of gear on there, isn't there? 

Bruce Billson

Yeah, there is. And one of the things is it's not that obvious. I mean, at least with the old handsets, you get a bit of a hint when you're using it. A little symbol comes up in the top corner telling you what network you're on. So, there's at least something that might prompt you to think about it. But in terms of business equipment, your example with the transport system in Canberra is a classic one. No one gives a lot of thought to what the wireless connection is in the background busily doing its thing, whilst what you focus on as the primary purpose of that equipment does its thing. 

So, you can think about everything from those point of pay, black square things you wave your card in front of, they might have a 3G chip sitting behind them to conclude the transaction. Even lifts, those emergency buttons you push if you're stuck in a lift, many of those are on 3G. And then all the way through to farming and equipment that might monitor water levels, open doors for stock, even your friendly surveyor, that little Total Station - doesn't sound as much fun as Theodolite - but a lot of those Total Stations, they use 3G as their communication link as well. 

Leon Delaney

Now the obvious one, of course, is point of sale EFTPOS machines. I'm sure most of them have been updated, but there might still be some businesses with older machines that might be impacted. 

Bruce Billson

And that's a concern. You might have had your system set up and going well. You might be a small business that sells miniature goats at the Murrumbateman market, and you probably don't give a lot of thought to what the little tap-and-pay device is that you use. In many cases, the older ones are using 3G as the communications link. So, what I'm urging people to do is, it might not be immediately obvious, but if you've got a piece of kit that's got a bit of a wireless connection, please check that out so that you don't find that equipment, all of a sudden, doesn't work when you need to count on it. 

Leon Delaney

There are some other unexpected things that can also be caught up. There’re various pieces of computer software relating to record keeping, accounts and bookings and things like that. I'm not sure how that relies on 3G but apparently there are some circumstances where that might be the case.

Bruce Billson

That's where the records may be stored. You might have a tablet or a device that clocks when you're coming into work and when you're leaving. And then it might quietly go off to a central system that processes your pay. And there's other tracking monitoring equipment, like assets have a little device on them that lets you know where they are and what they're doing. And those are examples that aren't immediately obvious. But gee, if you're a business and you're counting on them to work, and all of a sudden, the day after October 28 they don't happen, that can come as a real shock, and the pressures on. So, we're saying, if you're not sure, check it out. Contact the suppliers of that equipment, ask the question, and don't become a casualty of loss of 3G functionality is our message. 

Leon Delaney

Some of the more alarming things, if you'll pardon the pun, fire alarms and security systems could also be impacted. It is important that you check your equipment and find out whether it relies on the 3G network. How can business owners actually do that simply and easily? It sounds a bit complicated if you've got to track down every single manufacturer for every single piece of equipment that you have?

Bruce Billson

Sadly, the answer is yes, it is. It can be quite tedious. That's why, when the Senate was probing these issues, we were urging the telcos themselves to have a look at their billing data to say, well, who's paying to use the spectrum, the 3G service? And encouraging those telcos to get up and about talking with what's called third party equipment service providers, to at least have those service providers lean in and be proactive rather than wait for people to contact them. 

Leon Delaney

Is there a sort of a simple rule of thumb? Because obviously 4G was introduced quite a while ago now, and I can't remember what date that was. But if you've got equipment that was built after a certain date, that should be safe, would that be right? 

Bruce Billson

Look, that could be right. I'd hate to give that sort of advice on the run. It is best to check with the equipment suppliers. But even on the telephony thing, you may well have a 4G phone, but it might divert to 3G for emergency calls. In that case, best to jump on the website 3gclosure.com - there's a little process you can go through to check your handsets, because there's still thought to be nearly 100,000 people that haven't changed over. That's easy for that. The process around checking what's in your equipment, that's a little more complicated. 

Leon Delaney

Yeah, I don't know, technology Bruce, it's a wonderful thing isn't it, so long as it actually works. I tend to keep on using something until it breaks. And if it's 10 years old, but it still does the job just fine, why do I need to get a new one? It's not fair, Bruce.

Bruce Billson

If you were a cattle rustler and you've got your Herefords down in the back paddock, and all of a sudden, a gate randomly opens because the technology is no longer there for you, I reckon that's not a good way to find out that it's not working.

Leon Delaney

Bruce, thanks very much for chatting today.

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the

Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off which is now scheduled to take place on 28 October.

This is about far more than upgrading an old 3G phone.

I fear many small businesses are unaware of the scope of this event and the possible business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction they may face.

My message is this: check the functionality of your technology so you're not a 3G casualty.

Many of us just do not realise there is an awful lot of technology and equipment used every day that's actually enabled by 3G.

Quite understandably, we're thinking about what the piece of kit actually does and the time-saving or technology-enhancing way it allows us to get on with business.

Yet, the 3G switch-off could have sweeping business consequences.

It may disable older-style EFTPOS terminals and tap-to-pay pads we see at car park exits and vending machines while vital equipment and software, including those relating to record-keeping, accounts, bookings and payroll, could stop working.

At risk may be security systems and cameras, tablets, telephones in elevators, fire alarms and even swipe pads at car parking stations.

Asset-tracking tools, surveying instruments, water and environmental monitoring, farm gates and many other wireless operating systems may also cease functioning.

There are also very serious safety concerns about people who rely on 3G for medical monitors and sensors and to make sure calls can still be made to emergency services.

Many people may not know their home or business may be riddled with embedded devices relying on 3G until it's too late.

I'm sounding a warning to small businesses to be aware this is a possibility and to do something about it now.

The use of 3G is extremely broad, and one of the things of most concern is it is not immediately obvious. It would be terrible if the first time you learn about that is when it shuts down, and that might be critical to your business operations.

You might be selling miniature goats at regional shows and relying on a mobile EFTPOS machine. You might use remote monitoring of water levels in a dam, be assessing microclimates in a vineyard or opening and shutting gates. You might even have a surveying station called a Total Station. Or you might be tracking assets and trucks for a freight company or simply trying to buy a Pepsi Max from a vending machine.

A security system might be looking after your premises, and all of a sudden there's no link back to the base station and no remote observation capability.

Even some 4G-enabled devices have aspects that are powered by 3G and some 4G mobile phones default to 3G for emergency calls.

Telstra and Optus have responded to concerns that too many people are not aware and not ready for the switch-off by announcing they will delay the shutdown that had been scheduled for the end of this month to now take place on October 28.

They are promising to mount one last push for mass public awareness.

This must include actions to improve awareness 3G use is embedded in business equipment and technology in small, family and farming businesses. It can't just be more of the same in the hope people become aware of it through serendipity.

We need a coordinated education and awareness campaign by telecommunications companies and technology manufacturers and suppliers aimed at improving awareness and action among small businesses and explaining the wide-ranging effects and options to upgrade or replace their equipment as soon as possible.

Surely the telcos are best-placed to know who is using 3G for reasons other than making phone calls and have data about who is currently paying the bill for use of that spectrum.

As the 'most likely to know' party and the commercial beneficiaries of the reuse of 3G spectrum, it is not unreasonable for telcos to lean-in, identify customers using 3G for other-than-call purposes and to work with business equipment providers to make sure small, family and farming businesses are not left stranded after the shutdown.

It is pleasing Telstra has reviewed its billing data to see which third-party equipment and service vendors are still paying for the use of 3G spectrum, urging these vendors to reach out to unsuspecting customers.

In the extended window before the 3G turn-off, Telstra, Optus and the third-party vendors of services and equipment still using 3G need to redouble their efforts to connect with impacted customers before they are disconnected from vital small, family and farming business capabilities.

For the businesses that aren't sure how a vital piece of equipment, machinery, kit, technology or service communicates wirelessly with another location to do what it does, don't be left wondering.

Make a call to the vendor and ask the question: "Will the end of 3G impact on me?"

The extension of time must be used wisely.

We can't just let the shot clock run down and then have an awful lot of distressed business owners on October 29 saying: "Hey, my stuff doesn't work."

• Bruce Billson is the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Oliver Peterson.

Radio 6PR Perth

Subject: 3G switch-off warning for small, family and farming businesses

Oliver Peterson

If you're using the 3G network, listen up because we know that Telstra is turning it off at the end of next month. Optus a day later on the 1st of September. Vodafone's already turned it off, but it's not just a simple about it affecting the mobile phone network.

There's a bunch of other systems that may be using the 3G network, which particularly for small business owners and for farmers, they need to be aware of. Bruce Billson is the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and he has addressed the Senate committee looking into this earlier today. He joins us live on 6PR. Bruce, good afternoon. 

Bruce Billson

Oly, fab be with you and your listeners.

Oliver Peterson

It's not just about mobile phones, is it, Bruce? 

Bruce Billson

No, it is certainly not. We know there's a couple of hundred thousand people still using a 3G mobile phone. So, let's think about that as three and a half times that glorious Optus Stadium of yours full of phone users who are yet to make the change. Thankfully, Optus and Telstra are leaning in there with discounts with even some free phones. So, for people that are in that group or might be in a disadvantaged situation, not able to get a replacement phone, there’s some help there. Now that's good. But that's not the only thing that needs to be addressed. 

There are so many devices that you might look at and think, that's a pretty impressive piece of kit, not thinking that the communications link that supports it is actually relying on 3G. 

It needs to be everything from a Total Station a surveyor uses, remote telemetry that a farmer uses to open gates, to make sure there's water or to track the microclimate. Asset tracking, trucks, these sorts of things, even security systems and the like, have this 3G functionality operating in the background.

And you might think, what do we do about that? The telcos have got the billing information about who is actually paying for the use of 3G. We're urging them to lean in and liaise and collaborate with the supplies of that equipment. 

All the way through to things like vending machines Oly, when you go to pay for your Pepsi Max or, worryingly, a car park – you know those pads that you wave your card in front of. Some of the older versions of those things and even older version EFTPOS machines rely on 3G. Well, what's going to happen? The farming operation, the family enterprise, will be like, wow, what's happened to my kit? When it's not so much the kit, it's the communications relying on 3G that's been shut down. 

Oliver Peterson

Bruce, we’ve had this big conversation about the mobile network. And as you say, everybody's aware of the phone lines having to switch if you haven't already in some phones it may not work. But it has been missing in that conversation these systems you speak of, these day-to-day activities that a lot of businesses or farmers are using to operate their own livelihoods and their own business. Why hasn't that message been coming out from the telcos? 

Bruce Billson

Well, I think it's less in your face. I think a lot of people, particularly your rural and regional listening audience Oly, still might use 3G because of the extra range that it has because it's less data hungry so it reaches further, if I could use that as a poor analogy. And you can kind of see it when you pick up your kit, there's a little symbol in the corner or on your mobile phone, and you've got that idea that, hey, maybe I'm affected by this.

But if you're running a remote medical system or a security system or you've got an EFTPOS machine you've had for a long time, or you might go to the Bunbury Fair and sell miniature goats and just be used to using an old EFTPOS machine and you tap on it and nothing happens. You think, my goodness, this is no good. 

Or it might be even more embedded as a central part of your business, like a surveyor out checking out something at Wanneroo and the kit that they need to lay out that new allotment to site that slab for a builder is just not working. And it could be purely because the Total Station is relying on 3G as its communication mode. 

Oliver Peterson

Is there a way to check all of this, Bruce? I would imagine that this would also be on the antenna of the scammers. So, there's a bit of a double whammy with this one. 

Bruce Billson

We're saying watch out for that. I mean there's a couple of things you can do. There's a website called 3gclosure.com.au Now, like our conversation is reflecting, it’s so much about the mobile phone, but it's a starting point. What we're also saying to Telstra and Optus and Vodafone is lean in a bit to look at your billing. If you've got 3G billing going to Oly and Bruce's vending machine service, you might get the hint that we're running vending machines that are relying on 3G.

So, we're sort of saying to the telcos, you're the most likely to know, why don't you get up and about and lean in a bit. Step up, work in collaboration with the providers of that technology and those services and proactively reach out to customers.

For small and family businesses, if you're not sure, have a look at the brand on the kit. Give them a call. We’re just saying, please don't be caught short when it shut down and find you're not able to function as an enterprise. 

Oliver Peterson

Bruce, appreciate your time, as always. Have a good afternoon. 

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in the next few weeks.

Mr Billson today appeared before the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network. He called on telecommunications companies and business equipment and service suppliers to step up and do more to make sure small businesses were not harmed by the shutdown.

“It is vital small, family and farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction is the first they learn about it,” he said.

“We need to improve the awareness of 3G use embedded in business equipment and technology well beyond the obvious example of mobile phones.

“The 3G switch-off could affect EFTPOS terminals, security systems and cameras, tablets, smart watches, vending machines and even swipe pads at car parking stations.

“Asset tracking tools, surveying instruments, water and environmental monitoring, farm gates and many other wireless operating systems may be affected.

Mr Billson emphasised that telecommunications companies and equipment suppliers need to step up and do more to make sure small businesses were not harmed.

“The telcos are best placed to know who is using 3G for reasons other than making phone calls. They will have data about who is currently paying for use of that spectrum,” he said.

“As the ‘most likely to know’ party and the commercial beneficiaries of the re-use of 3G spectrum, it is not unreasonable for telcos to lean-in, identify customers using 3G for other than call purposes and to work with business equipment providers to make sure small, family and farming businesses are not left stranded after the shut down.

“There is an awful lot of technology and equipment used in everyday small, family and farming businesses that's actually powered by 3G.

“You probably don't think about what technology is powering the wireless link. You're thinking more about what the piece of kit actually does.

“My concern is when the 3G network shut off happens at the end of August, devices such as older style EFTPOS machines, security cameras, asset tracking tools and water and environmental monitoring technology might stop working.

“Even some 4G-enabled devices have aspects that are powered by 3G, but users may not realise until they stop working, so it makes sense to have those checked as well. 

“But beware of scams and only contact providers using trusted information and links.”

Telstra will switch off its 3G network on 31 August and Optus from 1 September. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network.

For more information: 

• Telstra   

• Optus   

• Vodafone/TPG Telecom   

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association also has information at

OMBUDSMAN’S MEDIA CONTACT: 0448 467 178 / media@asbfeo.gov.au

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Dusty Fitzpatrick.

2BS Bathurst

Subject: Don’t be a 3G switch-off casualty

Dusty Fitzpatrick

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged small, family and farming businesses to make sure they're not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in August and September. Bruce joins us now, good afternoon. 

Bruce Billson

Dusty, great to be with you and the listeners. 

Dusty Fitzpatrick

Wonderful to have your company this afternoon. Could you talk us through how significant the potential impact is of the 3G switch-off for small businesses, particularly those in rural areas?

Bruce Billson

It been a big deal and it still is a big deal and it's coming to a real crunch point after some years that we've known 3G was going to be turned off. The TPG and Vodafone networks switched off 3G already, and we know that Optus is planning to switch off its 3G network on the 1st of September and Telstra is doing the same on the 31st of August.

Why I've tried to raise awareness and bring attention to this, is that for a lot of rural and regional and farming and small businesses, they've got 3G technology embedded in the things that they use as a central part of their business. So, most people know the 3G handsets that you might use for phones and texting, they've be pretty alert that that's got a real shelf life to it. And most people have taken action to remedy that. 

But what’s less clear is you look at some of the older EFTPOS terminals, look at some security systems, even asset tracking tools. And for the farming community, some of the water and land environmental management wireless systems actually have 3G behind them as the communication that makes that kit, that technology, actually function.

So, most people don't focus on that underlying technology for the wireless aspect of that kit. They focus on the water monitoring effectiveness, the microclimate analysis, opening and shutting gates or tracking assets. And even in rural and regional areas, I know at some of the fuel stations now, you've got capacity to fill up with diesel and the like and the EFTPOS terminal that sits there to help enable that transaction, like with some vending machines, Dusty, actually has 3G technology sitting behind it. 

So that's why I'm saying to people, don't become a fatality of the 3G turn off, check the functionality of the kit and technology that may well be using it and take action before that kit becomes dysfunctional. 

Dusty Fitzpatrick

What steps do you recommend small businesses take to determine if their devices will be affected?

Bruce Billson

Well, a couple of things you can do. First of all, check yourselves. I mean, if there's still people with owner's manuals and technical specifications and the like, check on those things. 

Next step I would probably do would be to reach out to your supplier. So, if you've got a rural supply industry that may have provided you with the water tank opening and shutting sort of technology, just checking with them.

And the other thing is you can jump online. There's a couple of resources. Telstra has got some on its website about mobile devices, so has Optus. But there's also the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, which has set up a website  

That's some resources where you can go and check that out. I guess my message is don't be caught out by it. Take some steps now, make some inquiries and reassure yourself that something vital to your business is not all of a sudden going to turn up the toes just because the 3G network’s been switched off.

Dusty Fitzpatrick

Important message this afternoon. Bruce, as always, thank you for your time.

Bruce Billson

Good to be with you Dusty. 

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Becc Chave.

ABC Radio SA South East

Subject: 3G switch-off warning for small business

Becc Chave

Australia's 3G networks are closing down. You still got a bit of time before this does start impacting you, but it is important that Australians know if they will be impacted. If you've received notice from your service provider to upgrade your device, don't put off taking action. That's the message coming from the AMTA and the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Bruce Billson is the Ombudsman. Bruce, good morning. Thanks for your time on the program. 

Bruce Billson

Awesome to be with you and your listeners. 

Becc Chave

Do you think businesses have been given enough time to prepare for this? 

Bruce Billson

It's been a slow train coming, this one, but I suppose it's only when you see the headlight you think, this is getting closer. I think it's been four or five years in the making. It's not been any surprise that the 3G network is coming to an end and I think for people with their handheld phone devices and the like, they'll been pretty alert to it. 

What I’m concerned about, though, is there's an awful lot of technology kit equipment, used in everyday small, family and farming businesses that's actually powered by 3G. And these are the sorts of things you probably don't think about what the technology for the wireless link is. You're thinking more about what the piece of kit actually does. And so it can actually slip past you that when the 3G network shut off, you might find your, you know, old style EFTPOS machine no longer working, security cameras, you know, some of the asset tracking tools, particularly for our farming communities, the water and environmental monitoring technology and those micro-climate technologies. Many of those operate on a wireless operating system and a significant number have 3G as the back end of those systems. 

So, I'm really saying to people, don't be a casualty of the 3G shut-off, check your device functionality, talk to the suppliers, talk with the telcos, and make sure you're aware of what beyond your phone handset may be affected by the planned shutdown 

Becc Chave

Is this putting on additional costs to business owners or landowners who have to navigate this change? We had a text through earlier this morning, Bruce, from Sharon and she said, I have to replace my Telstra repeater and antenna because of the 3G network shutting down. This system costs me $1,700. The new system is costing me $2,900 just to get reasonable, consistent service.

Bruce Billson

The answer is yes. Just when margins are being squeezed in small, family and farming businesses, for many, this will be another unwelcome expense. 3G - I won't bore you listeners with all the technical jargon around it - but 3G has got a longer reach. The thickness of the pipe in terms of the volume of data it carries is thinner than 4G and 5G, but it stretches further. So, in rural and regional and remote areas, 3G has sort of been, you know, appreciated for the long range. 

So, in some cases, even when you're switching over to 4G, you might find that that new signal doesn't reach as far. That can be an issue. And as your texter has highlighted, a lot of on property telephony and Wi-Fi extensions and the like may well be using 3G.

But there's a lot of less obvious things too. Let's talk about vending machines. You know they remotely advise the people that own them that the stock levels are down and away you go. Some of the card payment tap-on things you see car parks, they've got 3G behind them as well. I saw reports that $500, $600, possibly more, to replace those payment tap-and-go systems, yet the things that they're attached to might only generate $1,000 of profit a year. And you can see what a hit that will be. 

So, this is going to cost some people money. It is probably an unwelcome expense. It has been foreshadowed for a long time, but we're now getting to crunch point, and I'm just concerned people might find vital bits of their kit and technology they use in their everyday small, family and farming business is just not functioning because the 3G networks won't be available.

Becc Chave

Is this something you've been receiving calls about, or at least perhaps concerns that there hasn't been enough guidance through this. 

Bruce Billson

We have had contact from a number of industry associations. I mean, some are very specific. I don't know how many surveyors might be in your listening audience, but they've got a little piece of kit called a total station. It maps out property boundaries and undulations and all that. Well, many of those pieces of kit use 3G as their communication method and that's been raised with us, along with some in the farming community around those remote distance monitoring technologies that are pretty common on larger farming properties, that a number of those will be in strife.

As well as some concerns about the telephony use itself. I touched earlier on the reach of 3G. For some people emergency call capability and the like is assisted by the longer reach of the signal on 3G, whereas the more sophisticated, able to carry more data signals that you get with 4G and 5G might not reach as far. And that's left some people are a little vulnerable.

That’s where it’s come up and I just thought the best thing I can do is almost as a community service notification Becc, if I could call it that, be aware that it's coming. Optus is looking to switch theirs off on the 1st of September. Telstra was going to go a bit earlier, but they've now decided to delay that until 31st of August. So, we're not too far away. And for those on TPG and Vodafone networks, their networks are already shut down. So, it's coming.

Becc Chave

A good message to get prepared. Bruce, thank you very much for your time on the program this morning. 

Bruce Billson

Take care, Becc.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

Leon Delaney

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has warned small businesses about the upcoming 3G switch off. That's at the end of August and the beginning of September for the last two remaining telcos that still have 3G. Because we know Vodafone's already switched theirs off. Now the warning is, of course, that the switch off of 3G technology could very well impact on a lot more than just old-fashioned mobile phones.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, good afternoon. 

Bruce Billson

Leon, great to be with you and your listeners on this capital day. 

Leon Delaney

It's a lovely day today, but it's not going to be quite so lovely on the weekend, is it? I mean, the timing is terrible. 

Bruce Billson

Well, it's interesting thinking about the weekend and thinking about the broader Canberra region's audience. I mean, you can think of grape growers and other graziers and the like, who may well use remote technology to monitor weather conditions, rainfall opening and shutting gates. Those sorts of things or asset tracking tools. 

So many of these things, including security systems and cameras and the like actually are powered off the 3G network. So, when that closure happens, you could well find yourself caught short. 

And I guess my community service message is don't be a 3G casualty, check out your device capacity or something like that. 

Leon Delaney

By crikey, Bruce, you really know what you're doing. That was an incredibly masterful segue from weather into the 3G close-down. That was brilliant. 

Bruce Billson

Leon, we're living in the moment. You’ve got discerning listeners, and they just don't want, you know, puff and wind from me. They want me to get straight into it.

But that's the reality of it. You know, if you and I were running a transport business and we had tracking devices on our assets or even a hire business. If we're using security cameras, and the one that's probably most omnipresent, if I could use that word, are EFTPOS machines. Some of the earlier version EFTPOS machines at local shops and businesses that are used for merchant payments are powered off the 3G network.

So, when it's shut down, you risk being a 3G casualty if you haven't checked out your device functionality. 

Leon Delaney

Now, we've known for quite some time that this is coming, and it's not exactly meant to be a surprise to anybody. But what might be surprising to people is the vast array of devices that might actually be impacted.

It's not just your mobile phone, it's not just your EFTPOS terminal. As you said, security systems, cameras, scanners, routers, tablets, smartwatches, asset tracking tools, even surveying instruments, water and environmental monitoring instruments. I mean, this is a very long list of things that are potentially affected, isn't it? 

Bruce Billson

Well, it is. And we know that 3G, whilst it doesn't have the bandwidth or the pipe width that 4G and 5G has, it has good range. It can stretch further. For many people wanting good range and functional connectivity without deep, deep rich data needing to flow through it, 3G has been an attractive option. 

We learned some years back, I think you and I were both much younger, when the CDMA network - remember that one? 

Leon Delaney

Yes, the good old CDMA network.

Bruce Billson

Same thing happened. A lot of people were sitting there thinking, look, I've got the phone sorted, but why is this vital kit and systems and technology that's central to my business now not working? That’s the thing that I'm most concerned about. 

Yes, we have had this 3G discussion for some time, and we've rightly had the discussion about rural and regional and remote communities appreciating the longer reach of a 3G signal and then saying it's vital for emergency services.

But when you're doing those sort of remote telemetry things, measuring the microclimate, soil conditions, rainfall and even looking after assets that rely upon that 3G communications link, that can all happen without too much knowledge. And all of a sudden, you're basically rendered unable to use that technology and your business is harmed.

Leon Delaney

We all saw the chaos when the Optus mobile network went down last year. You know, it's a similar kind of thing if you're not prepared for the change in technology. The thing that really caught me by surprise, though, is apparently, you've pointed out that even some 4G enabled devices actually still rely on elements of 3G. I wouldn't have expected that. 

Bruce Billson

Yeah, and this is all about the way spectrum has become available over time. And you see different devices using different types of communications technology to get an efficient and cost-effective outcome. Because for people providing these services, they need to either pay for or have access to the spectrum within those bands. And if you've got only a certain amount of capability, well, that might be cached, if I could use that word, directed into the 4G space, whereas other parts of it might well be serviced by the 3G network.

So, what we're urging people to do is to have a think about that. Really think deeply about what you're using in your small and family and farming business. Contact suppliers just to check in if you're not sure. There's also some helpful websites that both Telstra and Optus are offering, and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s got a good one, which is 

Leon Delaney

Okay. So, the number for Telstra is 132 200. The number of Optus is 133 937 or get onto the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association website 3Gclosure.com.au 

And I guess after all of this warning, there is no excuse. But the thing that really baffles me, Bruce, is that once upon a time it was enough to just know what you were doing in your own particular field of business. Now you've got to be a tech expert as well. It’s baffling, isn't it? 

Bruce Billson

It's the changing nature of our economy because tech and digital engagement, there is research that points to improve productivity, resilience, profitability with the deeper your digital engagement. 

So, people have reached for these technologies to improve their productivity, save on the mundane tasks, but it does mean we need to be attuned to those things.

In recent days I've been talking about using social media securely and putting out a bit of a guide for those businesses that rely upon those social media platforms as their primary channel to their customers. And what happens if your account hacked and all of a sudden, it's effectively like your shop being closed and shuttered over because some scammers got in and done nefarious things on your web presence.

These are the sorts of new challenges we’re navigating.

Leon Delaney

Or indeed if Elon Musk purchases your favourite social media platform and then changes the rules and you don't like it anymore.

Bruce Billson

I'll take that as a comment. Hang on, that’s another show. 

Leon Delaney

Bruce, thanks very much for your time today. Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has urged small, family and farming businesses to make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in August and September.

“The 3G switch-off will affect more than just your mobile phone signal,” Mr Billson said.

“It could affect EFTPOS terminals, security systems and cameras, scanners, industrial routers, tablets, smart watches, asset tracking tools, surveying instrument, water and environmental monitoring and many of the wireless operating systems on farms.”

“Even some 4G-enabled devices have aspects that are powered by 3G, but users may not realise until they stop working, so it makes sense to have those checked as well.

“It is vital small, family and farming businesses take action urgently to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction is the first they learn about it.”

Mr Billson said small businesses should contact their telecommunications provider or device manufacturer to confirm if a device will be affected.

“But beware of scams and only contact mobile providers using trusted information and links,” he said.

Telstra recently announced that it will delay its 3G network switch off until 31 August 2024. Optus is planning to switch off its 3G network from 1 September 2024. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network. 

Those on the Telstra or Optus network can text “3” to the number 3498 and will receive a response whether that device is affected.

For more information:  

• Telstra 
  • Visit: 
  • Call:13 22 00
• Optus 
  • Visit: 
  • Call: 133 937
• Vodafone/TPG Telecom
  • Visit: 

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association also has information at  and a fact sheet 

OMBUDSMAN’S MEDIA CONTACT: 0448 467 178