Optus shutting down 2G networks starting Tuesday

Optus will shut down its 2G network in Australia starting Aug. 1. The second largest telco in the country is set to close down its remaining 2G network in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

This is the second and final phase of the 2G services shutdown. It had killed its 2G services in the Northern Territory and Western Australia in April. This means that old mobile phones will no longer be able to send or receive text messages and calls, as well as surf the Internet. These phones include Nokia 3315, Nokia 6300, Alcatel 2001X and Samsung GT – C3520.

The closure will allow the telco to reallocate some of its spectrum to improve its services, as well as advance its 4G networks and investigate the emerging 5G technologies. “Our priority throughout this process has been to ensure our 2G customers are prepared for this change and have the right level of support to allow for a smooth transition to our 3G and 4G services,” Dennis Wong, managing director of Networks at Optus, said.

“There is no doubt that the 2G network, which was first established in 1993, played an important role in our network, particularly when we were first establishing ourselves across Australia. Nearly 25 years on, and our customer levels using the 2G mobile network have significantly decreased as greater smartphone usage and advances in 4G technologies drive customer preferences for mobile data speeds. This was the right time for us to close the 2G network.”

The Optus 2G mobile network uses 900 MHz spectrum. Any device that is 2G will be affected, although there will be 2G SIMs that will continue to work in some 3G devices. The company offers SIM upgrade from 2G free of charge. Virgin Mobile and Optus Wholesale service providers using 2G GSM network will be affected as well.

As news.com.au notes, there are only three mobile service providers operating in Australia, but there are a large number of virtual network operators offering mobile plans and using the networks of the big three, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. For Optus, these virtual networks include Amaysim, Vaya, Virgin Mobile, Coles Mobile, Barefoot Telecom, Bendigo Bank Telecom, Dodo, Exetel, Jeenee, OVO and Yomojo. All of them will also stop offering 2G services from Tuesday.