TPG vows to keep 3G going for bush

A MAJOR telecommunications company has vowed to keep the Vodafone 3G network running “for years to come”, warning a premature shutdown could leave regional communities in the lurch.

TPG Telecom said many people in regional Australia relied on 3G for voice calls, messaging and basic data services, as well as functions such as connecting farm sensors to monitor water and weather.

TPG said it “remained committed” to keeping its 3G service running if the spectrum needed could be purchased at a reasonable price.

It called on the government to match the price of a recent spectrum allocation offer to state and territory governments for emergency services.

Last year, Telstra announced it would shut down its 3G mobile network in 2024, saying it planned to introduce 4G to all areas previously solely covered by 3G.

TPG Telecom Group spokesman Trent Czinner said 5G was exciting but not all Australians could enjoy its benefits yet.

“To prematurely shut down the 3G network would only increase the digital divide between regional and urban Australia,” he said.

Queensland’s Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole said even though there were recent mobile tower upgrades, there was far less coverage on the 4G network across the entire council area compared to 3G.

She said if the 3G service was shut down, it would affect the 4887 people living there as well as rural landowners around the shire.

“That's the only mobile service that we have there so we’ve got a school, a rural health service which is reliant on the Royal Flying Doctors, several businesses that are in the town,” Ms O’Toole said.