WE’VE been expecting Telstra’s announcement on 2G for many years and if there was any question over the closure it was going to about whether or not Australia’s big telco would meet its own 2G sunset deadline.
According to Telstra, it will meet the deadline, closing the 2G network allows the 2G radiofrequency spectrum (900MHz) to be freed up for new and superior 4G services.
Telstra said it was advising customers who use medical alarms or security alarms to contact their supplier to find out if their device will be impacted by the 2G network closure and receive advice on how to upgrade the advice advising users: “If you have devices that are currently being used to monitor health, such as medical alarms, security or other remote safety situations, and they are currently using the 2G network, they will stop working on 1 December when the 2G network shuts down. Please take action and contact the provider of any such devices as soon as possible to ensure there is no disruption to these important services.”
According to Telstra, most medical alarms and security alarms are purchased through a specialist retailer or supplier.
“We are working directly with these companies, and through relevant industry groups, to check that they are aware of the 2G network closure and making arrangements to migrate any impacted devices to 3G or 4G services.”
End users can check if they’re using the 2G network by searching the top of their device screen for the following: 2G, Edge, E or GPRS. If any of these appear, they will need to take action before 1 December 2016 to continue using the device for phone calls and data.
Users will need to change the network settings on their device, upgrade their SIM card to a 3G or 4G service, upgrade their device to a 3G or 4G compatible device; or upgrade both their device and SIM card. Monitoring stations, installers and integrators are encouraged to inform end user customers that taking action is no imperative. ♦
