TELSTRA recently announced they will be extending its 3G network closure date by two months from June 30 to August 31 to give people more time to upgrade their devices.

 Telstra said in a statement on Monday they have been communicating the closure of the network for nearly five years but also understood there were a range of reasons why some people haven’t moved on.

 “The closure of the nation’s 3G network is an industry-wide change, moving people to better connectivity,” they said.

“Everyone using devices that rely on 3G for either data, voice or emergency calls will need to make a change to stay connected when it switches off.”

Vodafone switched off its 3G network at the beginning of the year and Optus still plans to switch theirs off in September.

However, a senate inquiry on the issue by the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee has been underway since March 26.

At the time, One Nation senator, Malcolm Roberts said telecommunications companies should delay the 3G shutdown until the inquiry concluded; the inquiry has intended to deliver a report by November 30.

“Vital medical alarms, farm infrastructure, small business EFTPOS machines and regional Australians are completely reliant on the 3G network,” Mr Roberts said.

The inquiry will cover subjects such as the impact on triple-Zero emergency calls, the absence of 4G services in rural and regional areas previously covered by 3G and efficacy and capability in disaster situations.

Wannon MP, Dan Tehan said the Telstra announcement was “welcome news” but still questioned if it would help customers.

“We need guarantees that two months is long enough,” he said.

“It is country people who stand to lose the most by the 3G network being shut down, we have to ensure that won’t be the case.”

Telstra said mobile customers who have been directly using the Telstra network or a provider that uses the Telstra network can check if their handset will be impacted by using an SMS tool.

All they need to do is text the number “3” to 3498.

 In addition, soon customers yet to upgrade will hear a short message on impacted mobiles when making an outgoing call as a reminder to act.

The pre-recorded message will only be removed after upgrading.

Submissions to the senate inquiry can be made at bit.ly/4b5MUJT and close on May 31.