Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has again reminded small, family and farming businesses to make sure they are not caught off-guard by the 3G switch-off happening in the next few weeks.
Billson appeared before the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network. He called on telecommunications companies and business equipment and service suppliers to step up and do more to make sure small businesses don’t suffer due to the shutdown.
“It is vital small, family and farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction is the first they learn about it,” he said. “We need to improve the awareness of 3G use embedded in business equipment and technology well beyond the obvious example of mobile phones.”
Switch-off to impact a range of devices
Billson noted that the 3G switch-off could affect EFTPOS terminals, security systems and cameras, tablets, smartwatches, vending machines and even swipe pads at car parking stations. The change might also impact asset tracking tools, surveying instruments, water and environmental monitoring, farm gates and many other wireless operating systems.
“There is an awful lot of technology and equipment used in everyday small, family and farming businesses that’s actually powered by 3G,” Billson added, “Even some 4G-enabled devices have aspects that are powered by 3G, but users may not realise until they stop working, so it makes sense to have those checked as well.”
Who is responsible for keeping small businesses in the loop?
“The telcos are best placed to know who is using 3G for reasons other than making phone calls,” Billson explained. “They will have data about who is currently paying for use of that spectrum. As the ‘most likely to know’ party and the commercial beneficiaries of the re-use of 3G spectrum, it is not unreasonable for telcos to lean in, identify customers using 3G for other than call purposes and to work with business equipment providers to make sure small, family and farming businesses are not left stranded after the shutdown.”
The ASBFEO also reminded businesses to only contact providers that use trusted information and links for any concerns regarding the impending 3G switch-off.
Telstra has earlier stated that it will switch off its 3G network on 31 August and Optus from 1 September. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network.
