Optus has today announced that they have begun preparations to shutdown their 2G network, posting the schedule for the shutdown on their site today.
Once the Optus 2G network is shutdown, customers will no longer be able to use 2G devices on the Optus Mobile Network, and customers using a 3G Single Band device outside of the 3G 2100MHz network, will similarly find themselves having issues making or receiving calls or texts, or access the internet. The Optus 2G network will be shutdown in order for Optus to re-farm the spectrum to improve customer experience and mobile services across their other networks.
The shutdown will begin on the 3rd of April with the 2G network in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The rest of the 2G network in the rest of the Australian states (SA, QLD, VIC, NSW, TAS & ACT) will be shutdown on the 1st of August this year.
As unlikely as it seems, it is possible to use Android devices on the 2G network, if you are on a 2G only plan you won’t see 4G/LTE or 3G/HSPA on the status bar near the clock, instead you’ll only ever see 2G, Edge, E or GPRS. If you’re in this boat, you’ll need to get in contact with Optus to migrate your plan to a 3G or 4G service.
Optus is the second Australian carrier to shutdown their 2G network after Telstra shut down their 2G network in December last year> Vodafone, intends to shut down their 2G network as well, with their 2G services due to go dark in September this year.
