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Regional towns struggle for service, with Telstra set to switch off 3G in 2024

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Mobile service is patchy at best in some parts of South Australia’s Murraylands, Riverland and Mallee regions.

Now there are growing concerns for what will happen when major telecommunications provider, Telstra, switches off its 3G mobile network in 2024.

A regional telecommunications review commissioned by Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland (RDAMR) found nine locations across the region still relied on 3G coverage.

This includes Tungkillo with a population of 342 people at the 2021 census, Punyelroo which has a population of 39 but swells in the summer holiday season, and the Riverland farming community of Wappilka, with 17 permanent residents.

A stone wall with a sign that says Parilla on it, a road in the background.
A regional review found Parilla is one of the towns that should be better served by 4G coverage.(ABC Riverland: Sam Bradbrook)

It also found seven locations, including the Coorong town of Narrung, Mallee town of Parilla and Riverland town of Bookpurnong, all with populations of about 150 people, are currently under served by 4G coverage.

“This is a living document for us to be able to go to the telcos and say, ‘This is where the gaps are, what are you doing with your operations moving forward?'” RDAMR regional infrastructure manager Jarrod Bielby said.

“It’s important to note that all the major transport corridors through the region actually have coverage under the Optus network.

Phone screen display a
Optus says it has no plans to switch off its 3G network at this stage.(ABC South East SA: Lucy Robinson)

“Now it’s about exploring what alternatives are out there for digital connectivity and not just solely relying on mobile network operators.”

Network upgrades on the way

Telstra SA regional general manager Michael Patterson said the company was working ahead of time to ensure service was improved across the network when the switch occurred.

Signage at a Telstra store in Sydney.
Telstra says it will build five new mobile towers across the Riverland, Mallee and Murraylands before it switches off its 3G network in two years time. (AAP)

He explained the way Telstra’s network software ran meant people with mobile handsets could currently access 3G service in parts where 4G did not appear to be available.

But when Telstra shuts down 3G in two years time, Mr Patterson said the network would be updated to allow people to access 4G in places it previously could not be used.

“You’ll find those handsets will have equivalent 4G coverage to where there’s 3G coverage now.”

Telstra plans to build five new mobile base stations in the next 24 months at Parilla, Geranium, Mindarie, Narrung and Colebatch to improve service around those locations.

The top of a telephone tower in regional Australia on a blue sky day
Telstra says some of its new mobile sites will provide 5G coverage as well as 4G.(ABC News: Eliza Borrello)

“We’ve also got a bunch of technicians doing drive surveys to make sure all the sites in those areas have 4G as well as 3G,” Mr Patterson said.

“Most of the 3G network in South Australia has been upgraded to 4G, there might be a few sites that still need to be done, but they are absolutely firmly in our plans.”

In a statement, Optus said it had not announced any plans to shut down its 3G network at this stage.

The company says it “will continue to provide its customers with access to either 4G or 5G network coverage, when it does look to re-farm its 3G spectrum assets.”

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