Stop Telco 4G/5G Device Blocking & VoLTE Restrictions - Australia's 3G Shutdown
Stop Telco 4G/5G Device Blocking & VoLTE Restrictions - Australia's 3G Shutdown
The issue
Alarming new changes to Australia’s Emergency Calling rules has resulted in thousands of working 4G & 5G phones Blocked by Telcos.
This includes new 5G Phones from brands such as Asus, Fairphone, OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi and ZTE.
With this policy change you can now no longer use any device you want from any provider in the world, even if it may work perfectly! (Including for 000 Calls)
The telcos now get to be judge, jury and execution, solely deciding what phones you are allowed to use and where you must have purchased them from.
Even phones that support 000 calling on 4G have been blocked, and the telcos refuse to unblock them!
Consumers are now out of pocket hundreds to thousands of dollars having to buy new devices, and during a cost of living crisis.
Furthermore, due to the telcos failing to accurately determine device capabilities, you can still connect with many phones telcos say are 'officially supported' that cannot call 000!
Neither the carrier or user would be aware until they try to call 000 and it doesn't connect.
Learn more below:
Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Telcos to Block Working 4G/5G Phones!
Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Why your 4G/5G Phone is now Blocked!
Hugh Jeffreys - Australia’s New Firewall IMEI BLOCKED 516,875 Active Phones Overnight + Tourists Phones Blocked
See the latest petition updates below for more info!
ABC News - 27 May 2025
Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many
---
Important Update 24 Oct: On Thursday afternoon (24/10) the ACMA finalised the changes to the Minister's Emergency Calling Rules.
The Government & Regulators are forcing the Telcos to Block 258,000 4G/5G Phones from 1 November!
With 297,000 phones affected in total including 3G Devices!
This INCLUDES devices that presently work perfectly for calling and emergency calling over 4G!
Emergency Call Service Amendment Determination 2024
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01353/asmade/text
[Check the Updates Section Below for the Latest Info!]
---
UPDATE: Online Survey for Supported & Affected Devices
In light of the news that people are having their devices totally blocked from Monday (28 Oct).
I've created a Google Form that you can complete in order to gather some statistics about the devices impacted, as well as the messaging that's being provided.
4G/5G Device Blocking & Capabilities Submission Form
--- Original Petition Text Sep 2024 ---
Starting 1 November 2024, a significant change to Australia’s Emergency Calling rules will require network providers to Block Devices they believe cannot call triple zero (000/112).
The carriers must completely cease providing service to that device.
Even if the device has working calling, SMS and Data!
This is due to an updated direction to the ‘Emergency Call Service Determination’ (ECSD), in the explanatory statement it says.
“Subsection 6(2) directs ACMA to include requirements for providers to identify mobile phones unable to access Triple Zero, notify the user, provide assistance if necessary to access an alternative mobile phone, and cease providing service to the affected device. Providers will also be required to not provide service to a prospective customer seeking service with an affected mobile phone. This requirement makes clear the responsibility providers have to ensure mobile networks provide access to the emergency call service.” [..] “The amendments to the Determination to be made under section 6(2) are to be determined and commence in full by 1 November 2024.”
ACMA (Emergency Call Service Determination) Direction 2024 — Explanatory Statement
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01103/asmade/text/explanatory-statement
The providers are not informing people they will be artificially blocked from connecting starting in November, even if they have working calling, emergency calling, data and SMS on 4G.
Optus is already doing this for new customers as of 10 September!
Their updated policy document announcing this was only published on 3 September, 1 day before the new rules were posted on the Government Website (4 Sep 24). This was not on their website a month ago!
Optus Website — Blocking phones from 10 Sep
https://www.optus.com.au/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g/my-phone-stopped-working
Optus Mobile Safety Policy — 3 September 2024
https://www.optus.com.au/content/dam/optus/documents/for-you/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g/0830_an_important_update_on_mobile_handset_safety_legalv1_03.09.24.pdf
Optus Website 3G Closure — 24 August 2024
https://web.archive.org/web/20240824112055/https://www.optus.com.au/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g
The only devices exempt from the block under the (Former) Minister's determination direction are those used be travellers/roamers. (Section 2. e.). However there are major issues with making VoLTE Emergency Calls when Roaming which aren’t at all addressed by this determination direction.
There are devices configured for 4G Emergency Calls in other countries but when you try to make an Emergency Call here on 4G that device just gets stuck on Calling and the Emergency Call never goes through!
See the below Medium article for more info.
Why this is a Problem
While the amendments aim to ensure access to emergency services, the changes will have severe consequences for consumers, competition, and the overall accessibility of mobile services. Whilst also not addressing the core technical standardisation failures with VoLTE Calling and Emergency Calling.
This policy essentially penalises customers for using devices that work but were not purchased directly from the telcos or their partners.
Once in effect, this would further concentrate profits and market control to the telcos & major handset makers, and severely limit competition & choice in the market.
Under the updated ECSD direction, telcos must identify and notify users of phones deemed incapable of accessing emergency services, assist them in finding alternative devices, and ultimately cease service to these phones.
This will likely impact devices that have been manually updated to work for VoLTE Calling and Emergency Calling as they aren’t ‘officially’ supported.
With this policy change you can now no longer use any device you want from any provider in the world, even if it may work perfectly!
Interim solutions and mitigations for these issues do exist and are possible.
Calling apps, firmware updates and other software mitigations need to be provided to domestic customers and roamers prior to switch-off.
The industry must provide a triple-zero (000) test number so people can test their devices and remove any & all service restrictions.
2G/3G switch-offs need to be permanently postponed until this occurs and the compatibility issues are resolved.
What you can do!
- Sign this Change.org Petition
- Raise the Alarm and Share this Story and the Petition
- If you are an Australian Citizen please contact to your local Federal Member of Parliament, Senators, the Communications Minister, the ACCC, ACMA, the TIO and your Telco.
Either via email, phone or old fashion snail mail.
The more messages sent the better.
You can find out your electorate at the link below.
When contacting your politicians please remember to include your electorate or suburb, as well as a name and basic contact details. If you don’t provide where you are from you won’t get a response.
AEC Electorate:
https://electorate.aec.gov.au/
ACCC — Report a Consumer Issue:
https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/contact-us-or-report-an-issue/report-a-consumer-issue
ACMA — Contact Us
https://www.acma.gov.au/contact-us
Communications Minister Contact
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/contact (Minister 2025 - )
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/contact (Former Minister 2022 - 2025)
Share your story and comments on how you have been impacted by the switch-off!
Petition Comments/Reasons for Signing
Related Petition:
Remove restrictions for 4G Calling from the Telstra mobile network before the 3G shut-down
Media Coverage of this issue:
Hugh Jeffreys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPlTz-3estM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qb9dml6So
ABC News
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-03/brand-new-phones-unable-to-make-calls-3g-shutdown/104541440
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-04/australian-4g-5g-users-cut-off-after-3g-network-shutdown/104559096
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626
Independent Australia
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/australias-3g-shutdown-why-your-4g5g-phone-is-now-blocked,19159
Other Related Stories
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-06/more-optus-triple-zero-fails-outside-of-confirmed-times/105856172
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-22/samsung-mobile-devices-triple-0-telstra-network/105920816
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-24/vodafone-customer-service-samsung-triple-0/105922288
Sources & References
- How to Check for Working VoLTE Calling on Android
- The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling
- Australia’s 3G Switch-off - Failures of Government & Industry to Prepare
- EENA 2022: Access to emergency services is being impacted by the lack of VoLTE interoperability
- Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker
3G Shutdown Senate Inquiry
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 23/07/2024–2hrs 10m — James Parker
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 24/07/2024 — Canberra ACT
2025 Hearings
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 5/02/2025 — Canberra ACT
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 12/02/2025 — Canberra ACT
10,641
The issue
Alarming new changes to Australia’s Emergency Calling rules has resulted in thousands of working 4G & 5G phones Blocked by Telcos.
This includes new 5G Phones from brands such as Asus, Fairphone, OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi and ZTE.
With this policy change you can now no longer use any device you want from any provider in the world, even if it may work perfectly! (Including for 000 Calls)
The telcos now get to be judge, jury and execution, solely deciding what phones you are allowed to use and where you must have purchased them from.
Even phones that support 000 calling on 4G have been blocked, and the telcos refuse to unblock them!
Consumers are now out of pocket hundreds to thousands of dollars having to buy new devices, and during a cost of living crisis.
Furthermore, due to the telcos failing to accurately determine device capabilities, you can still connect with many phones telcos say are 'officially supported' that cannot call 000!
Neither the carrier or user would be aware until they try to call 000 and it doesn't connect.
Learn more below:
Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Telcos to Block Working 4G/5G Phones!
Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Why your 4G/5G Phone is now Blocked!
Hugh Jeffreys - Australia’s New Firewall IMEI BLOCKED 516,875 Active Phones Overnight + Tourists Phones Blocked
See the latest petition updates below for more info!
ABC News - 27 May 2025
Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many
---
Important Update 24 Oct: On Thursday afternoon (24/10) the ACMA finalised the changes to the Minister's Emergency Calling Rules.
The Government & Regulators are forcing the Telcos to Block 258,000 4G/5G Phones from 1 November!
With 297,000 phones affected in total including 3G Devices!
This INCLUDES devices that presently work perfectly for calling and emergency calling over 4G!
Emergency Call Service Amendment Determination 2024
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01353/asmade/text
[Check the Updates Section Below for the Latest Info!]
---
UPDATE: Online Survey for Supported & Affected Devices
In light of the news that people are having their devices totally blocked from Monday (28 Oct).
I've created a Google Form that you can complete in order to gather some statistics about the devices impacted, as well as the messaging that's being provided.
4G/5G Device Blocking & Capabilities Submission Form
--- Original Petition Text Sep 2024 ---
Starting 1 November 2024, a significant change to Australia’s Emergency Calling rules will require network providers to Block Devices they believe cannot call triple zero (000/112).
The carriers must completely cease providing service to that device.
Even if the device has working calling, SMS and Data!
This is due to an updated direction to the ‘Emergency Call Service Determination’ (ECSD), in the explanatory statement it says.
“Subsection 6(2) directs ACMA to include requirements for providers to identify mobile phones unable to access Triple Zero, notify the user, provide assistance if necessary to access an alternative mobile phone, and cease providing service to the affected device. Providers will also be required to not provide service to a prospective customer seeking service with an affected mobile phone. This requirement makes clear the responsibility providers have to ensure mobile networks provide access to the emergency call service.” [..] “The amendments to the Determination to be made under section 6(2) are to be determined and commence in full by 1 November 2024.”
ACMA (Emergency Call Service Determination) Direction 2024 — Explanatory Statement
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01103/asmade/text/explanatory-statement
The providers are not informing people they will be artificially blocked from connecting starting in November, even if they have working calling, emergency calling, data and SMS on 4G.
Optus is already doing this for new customers as of 10 September!
Their updated policy document announcing this was only published on 3 September, 1 day before the new rules were posted on the Government Website (4 Sep 24). This was not on their website a month ago!
Optus Website — Blocking phones from 10 Sep
https://www.optus.com.au/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g/my-phone-stopped-working
Optus Mobile Safety Policy — 3 September 2024
https://www.optus.com.au/content/dam/optus/documents/for-you/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g/0830_an_important_update_on_mobile_handset_safety_legalv1_03.09.24.pdf
Optus Website 3G Closure — 24 August 2024
https://web.archive.org/web/20240824112055/https://www.optus.com.au/support/mobiles-tablets-wearables/important-changes-3g
The only devices exempt from the block under the (Former) Minister's determination direction are those used be travellers/roamers. (Section 2. e.). However there are major issues with making VoLTE Emergency Calls when Roaming which aren’t at all addressed by this determination direction.
There are devices configured for 4G Emergency Calls in other countries but when you try to make an Emergency Call here on 4G that device just gets stuck on Calling and the Emergency Call never goes through!
See the below Medium article for more info.
Why this is a Problem
While the amendments aim to ensure access to emergency services, the changes will have severe consequences for consumers, competition, and the overall accessibility of mobile services. Whilst also not addressing the core technical standardisation failures with VoLTE Calling and Emergency Calling.
This policy essentially penalises customers for using devices that work but were not purchased directly from the telcos or their partners.
Once in effect, this would further concentrate profits and market control to the telcos & major handset makers, and severely limit competition & choice in the market.
Under the updated ECSD direction, telcos must identify and notify users of phones deemed incapable of accessing emergency services, assist them in finding alternative devices, and ultimately cease service to these phones.
This will likely impact devices that have been manually updated to work for VoLTE Calling and Emergency Calling as they aren’t ‘officially’ supported.
With this policy change you can now no longer use any device you want from any provider in the world, even if it may work perfectly!
Interim solutions and mitigations for these issues do exist and are possible.
Calling apps, firmware updates and other software mitigations need to be provided to domestic customers and roamers prior to switch-off.
The industry must provide a triple-zero (000) test number so people can test their devices and remove any & all service restrictions.
2G/3G switch-offs need to be permanently postponed until this occurs and the compatibility issues are resolved.
What you can do!
- Sign this Change.org Petition
- Raise the Alarm and Share this Story and the Petition
- If you are an Australian Citizen please contact to your local Federal Member of Parliament, Senators, the Communications Minister, the ACCC, ACMA, the TIO and your Telco.
Either via email, phone or old fashion snail mail.
The more messages sent the better.
You can find out your electorate at the link below.
When contacting your politicians please remember to include your electorate or suburb, as well as a name and basic contact details. If you don’t provide where you are from you won’t get a response.
AEC Electorate:
https://electorate.aec.gov.au/
ACCC — Report a Consumer Issue:
https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/contact-us-or-report-an-issue/report-a-consumer-issue
ACMA — Contact Us
https://www.acma.gov.au/contact-us
Communications Minister Contact
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/contact (Minister 2025 - )
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/contact (Former Minister 2022 - 2025)
Share your story and comments on how you have been impacted by the switch-off!
Petition Comments/Reasons for Signing
Related Petition:
Remove restrictions for 4G Calling from the Telstra mobile network before the 3G shut-down
Media Coverage of this issue:
Hugh Jeffreys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPlTz-3estM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qb9dml6So
ABC News
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-03/brand-new-phones-unable-to-make-calls-3g-shutdown/104541440
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-04/australian-4g-5g-users-cut-off-after-3g-network-shutdown/104559096
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626
Independent Australia
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/australias-3g-shutdown-why-your-4g5g-phone-is-now-blocked,19159
Other Related Stories
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-06/more-optus-triple-zero-fails-outside-of-confirmed-times/105856172
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-22/samsung-mobile-devices-triple-0-telstra-network/105920816
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-24/vodafone-customer-service-samsung-triple-0/105922288
Sources & References
- How to Check for Working VoLTE Calling on Android
- The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling
- Australia’s 3G Switch-off - Failures of Government & Industry to Prepare
- EENA 2022: Access to emergency services is being impacted by the lack of VoLTE interoperability
- Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker
3G Shutdown Senate Inquiry
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 23/07/2024–2hrs 10m — James Parker
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 24/07/2024 — Canberra ACT
2025 Hearings
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 5/02/2025 — Canberra ACT
YouTube — Senate Inquiry — Shutdown of the 3G mobile network | 12/02/2025 — Canberra ACT
10,641
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Petition created on 26 September 2024