Expanded Telstra 4G mobile coverage is now available across the Bundaberg Region, meaning residents will be able to enjoy benefits including extra speed and capacity.
Telstra’s Regional General Manager for Southern QLD May Boisen said Telstra had committed to expanding the service.
“When we announced the shutdown of our 3G network in 2019, Telstra committed to expanding our 4G service to match the existing 3G footprint before we switched off 3G services on August 31 2024,” May said.
“Now local upgrade work has been completed and our testing shows equivalent Telstra 4G coverage is there, the final step is making sure our customers aren’t using 3G network only devices or have a 4G mobile phone that require a 3G network to make calls to Triple Zero.
“The easiest way to check your mobile devices is to use Telstra’s free 3G SMS Checker.
The tool will show customers who use the Telstra mobile network if their mobile phone is impacted by the 3G network closure, and if so, any action they need to take.
“The SMS checker tests the service number you are texting from.” May said.
“If customers simply text the number ‘3’ to 3498, we’ll text you back telling you if you need to take any action.
“The 3498 number corresponds to ‘3G XT’ on your phone’s on-screen dialling keypad.
“Tens of thousands of people have already used it, so it is easy to do, and we encourage everyone to give it a try to make sure they aren’t caught out.”
This service only works for people using mobile devices on the Telstra network.
For people using Optus or Vodafone based networks, they will need to check with their carrier if any action is needed.
Until the 3G network is finally turned off, there will be no loss of 3G coverage prior to this time.
Customers with 3G only devices can continue to use them until then but will need to make sure all their device can access 4G.
For those currently living on the edge of coverage in regional areas and if they need to purchase a new 4G device, Telstra encourages people to look blue tick certification.
“Not all devices are created equal, and mobile coverage can be impacted by a variety of factors,” May said.
“How your device detects and connects with our network, particularly if you’re on the edge of a coverage zone, matters.
Blue tick devices have been thoroughly tested to ensure they’re able to maximise coverage reach.
“If people are wanting to find out more about the 3G closure or if their devices are 4G compatible, we encourage them to visit our website or contact their nearest Telstra store.”
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