You’ll be fine, they said. You just need a new handset, they said. But despite the warnings and extensions and a great deal of funding, many New Englanders have been left without a usable mobile phone service in the wake of the 3G shut down.
Pia Thornton says that many in the Bundarra area have been left with an inadequate service, or no service at all in places they used to be able to make calls.
“We are now left with a completely inadequate 4g service with many farmers unable to make calls in places we have previously been able to.”
“It is a massive issue – we are told it’s a federal government issue, then it’s Telstra’s issue, and now it seems like we are just left with a complete inadequate service.
“We are constantly missing phone calls for work, and can’t load any data based services on our phones when before we could,” Pia said.
Telstra has, as usual, denied lack of service and blamed their customers.
“Our mobile base station that services Bundarra is delivering 4G to the community, but there is currently some congestion,” a spokesperson said.
“We have plans in the pipeline to build an additional mobile site, which will deliver 5G to the area for the first time and improve coverage and capacity in the area.
“Residents can improve their mobile coverage by using their nbn connection to access Wi-Fi calling. This works even during an outage and is a free setting on most popular mobile phones , which allows your mobile to use a Wi-Fi network to make and receive mobile calls.”
Telstra also encouraged business owners are also encouraged to talk to their bank about connecting their EFTPOS terminals to their nbn or Wi-Fi connection to prevent delays in processing transactions.
So in other words, Telstra says don’t use your mobile phone and it will work fine.
As the closure took effect, NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee Chair Deb Charlton called on telecommunications providers to make sure no one was left disconnected or in danger following the shutdown.
“While we’re still yet to gauge the full impact of the shutdown on communities, our number one priority remains that we receive an upgrade, not a downgrade, in our connectivity here in the bush,” Mrs Charlton said.
“We need reliable connectivity to call our loved ones, conduct our business and make that call for help, if we ever need it – and let’s not forget the medical devices, farm machinery and other technology that all needs to be connected to function,” Charlton said.
Pia says many have already tried talking to Telstra and contacted Barnaby Joyce’s office, but they are now turning to the public for help, and have launched a petition calling for an investigation and action.
“The supposed transition to a ‘comparable’ 4G network has fallen short, leaving many of us frustrated, isolated, and struggling to stay connected. It’s increasingly difficult to maintain livelihoods, access emergency services, and stay connected with schools, families, and essential services.”
To sign the petition head to change.org https://www.change.org/p/investigate-the-impact-of-telstra-s-3g-network-shutdown-on-australians
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