🇦🇺 3G network closure - Australia

[IainM]

@IainM

The idea that one network can “poison the well” is a furphy.

In a pure technical sense.

In a risk assessment sense, absolutely one network can poison the well.

If you (as a network) have a “grey area” device that you don’t have good information to prove one way or another, and you discover it can’t natively connect to an Australian network, you might very reasonably take that as a sign of heightened risk that it might not do everything is meant to do and choose to ban it.

And if you’re a network operator who discovers your bigger, more technically competent competitors have decided this device isn’t worth the risk, you might very well take the shortcut to deciding you won’t take that risk either.

[dt90125]

I hadn’t seen anyone reply to this, and my “opinion” is strictly that.

@Laspinne

Can anyone confirm if the FP 3 still works on any of the networks - the above comments seem to suggest so?

This is only going on educated supposition, but

• There’s a good chance it hasn’t been IMEI blocked (yet), due to lower outright number of FP 3s on the network. This could potentially change.
• There’s a reasonable chance that it can’t make 000 calls, due to the 3G shutdown (it’s more likely not to be able to route 000 calls over VoLTE than the more recent Fairphones)

If you can live with that second point (personally, I couldn’t), then have at it.

[crystal_rizz]

Hi! Not 100% sure if this is the right thread for this but it seems like it may be related to the new restrictions on grey-market phones in Australia.

Last month I ordered a Fairphone 6 via Amazon which was delayed twice until Amazon stated that the delivery date was “unavailable”. Because of this, I checked the tracking of the parcel on a few parcel tracking sites only to find out my Fairphone 6 was returned to shipper due to “Parcel contains on or more item(s) not allowed to ship into destination country without special registration” (including the typo on “one or more”). The order contained just the Fairphone 6 and the case so it cant be for other items. Unsure if this is a one off or new result of the grey-market banning that seems to be taking place, as a family member recently imported one using amazon in December of last year with zero issues.

I’ve now cancelled the order as it seems it was just never going to arrive. If anyone else knows anything about how you can get your hands on a Fairphone 6 in aus these days or the situation on importing phones that would be greatly appreciated!

[IainM]

@crystal_rizz

If anyone else knows anything about how you can get your hands on a Fairphone 6 in aus these days or the situation on importing phones that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, that’s useful context. I didn’t know about a specific campaign to crack down on grey market devices, but you’re right - https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2025-12/new-equipment-safety-pledge-protect-australians-dodgy-devices

In the past I’ve used shipping forwarders to buy direct from Fairphone. They may or may not fly under the radar, but if your Amazon package got shipped and then returned I’d expect the same to happen with a forwarder.

It feels a lot like a concerted campaign from ACMA targeting grey devices at all stages: sale, shipment, and registration on the network. It makes me even more suspicious that it’s just a matter of time until FP6 is IMEI blocked as well, even if you can get it shipped here.

[dt90125]

Okay … I just got a text from Vodafone AU saying, basically, a stay of execution. “IMPORTANT UPDATE - DEVICE REPLACEMENT NO LONGER REQUIRED.” (yeah, their caps lock key is broken).

“However, we have received new information that your device is capable of accessing emergency 000 calling. Therefore your device does not need to be replaced and will not be blocked.”

Of course, I ordered a new phone on the weekend.

[Laspinne]

I also got that long-awaited message just now and am so glad I sat tight! Curious to see if the other carriers will unblock the Fairphone 5 as well, and fingers crossed this lasts!

@dt90125 Thanks for your earlier reply and I hope you can return / cancel your phone order!

[Jabarkis]

The second paragraph seems pretty significant, dt90125. It’d be good to know what they based that determination on and whether we can pass that information on to other providers.

[Sir_Crispy_FP5]

Hi All, I have also received the message from Vodafone, such a relief.

I also got a response back from Optus (before Vodafone text)… warning its not good news.

“Differences in device software, firmware, and network compatibility can affect whether an emergency call connects successfully. Some devices don’t behave consistently under network stress or configuration changes, and this can vary depending on the phone’s country of origin, model, age and software version.”

There was a lot of these kind of statements which are very unhelpful.

“The device fails to meet new government-mandated requirements for emergency calling (000) over 4G/5G networks following the 3G network shutdown. Specifically, it lacks proper configuration for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) emergency calls and does not support required local network bands. 4G phones that use the 3G network to make all emergency calls (known as circuit switched fall back) do not meet Emergency calling standards. In addition, being an international device is not designed for these specific Australian requirements and is identified as incompatible.”

I can’t speak to the specific configuration of the LTE(VoLTE), but I know since the 3G network was shut down it still was able to make emergency calls…

Can any one help me with a response back to Optus about this part?

As for the “doesn’t not support required local network band”, I’m pretty sure it does, last time I checked.

“I have also reached out to Fairfone support (https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/requests/new), however I have not heard back.”

I will respond back letting them know that Vodafone does support the phone.

And also persist in trying to find out what testing has been done to confirm the phone can’t call emergency services in all situations.

[dt90125]

@Sir_Crispy_FP5

… warning its not good news.

…

There was a lot of these kind of statements which are very unhelpful

That’s a given. The reply still seems more political than technical, except for

“Specifically, it lacks proper configuration for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) emergency calls and does not support required local network bands.”

That second part appears to be an outright lie, sorry, mistake on their part. I don’t believe the first part is correct either, but can’t lay my hands on any specific evidence at the moment. But again, these are just generic excuses on their part without technical specifics (the ol’ “blah blah you’re not running a modern enough version of software on your phone”).

It’s still not all sunshine and lollipops at Camp Vodafone. I’ve an ongoing technical issue with voicemail on my account (spectacularly broken if someone on a landline calls in), and I’m still getting static from Vodafone support about “your phone is not on our supported phone list” and “you’re not running the latest software” (despite me sending in the text that Vodafone sent yesterday, which also breaks their support app because of unspecified size limits).

Can any one help me with a response back to Optus about this part?

You’re a better adjective than I am @Sir_Crispy_FP5 for getting this far - there’s very little appetite left for fighting in this old dog. Over the weekend I was ready to port to another carrier just to get my voicemail issue fixed (and my now no-longer-needed replacement phone arrives today, whee!).

[t_pearce]

I am currently transferring my number back to iiNet (Vodafone). Using Crazytel VOIP doesn’t work all that well over the mobile network. Also I can’t send or receive MMS.
I do have issues with the Vodafone network. It blocks NordVPN. It doesn’t have the same coverage as Optus. Last time when I was in Mundaring (Perth hills) there was no service. (I checked their coverage yesterday and it said there was coverage in Mundaring).
So I have now transferred the data only SIM from the other phone to the FP5. That SIM is through Crazytel (Optus). I only go to Mundaring once a month.
The SIM card ‘poisoned’ the phone, stopping all mobile connection. Fortunately I can just go into settings and disable that SIM and all is well again.

I will enable it from time to time and let you all know if it becomes ‘allowed’. If that happens, I may well end up back with Moose Mobile (Optus)!

[dt90125]

@t_pearce

It blocks NordVPN.

If it is, I suspect it’s Nord specific (I’ve never used them; the benefits they tout are grossly exaggerated). I do use VPNs (laptop tethered to phone) to connect to my clients’ networks, as well as my own home network, and that hasn’t been an issue (PPTP, Wireguard).

[WhisperTree]

Im on Felix, a Vodaphone reseller and got this message with seven days to go before the cutover.

Not sure if Vodaphoen or other resellers are offering this but see bit in bold if you want to try. I checked my account and can see the $250 credit.

It’s annoying that I spent a week moving to a Graphene OS on an old Pixel. I can move back to the newer FP5 with google or keep the de-googleed older phone and maybe throw away the $250 and most it to Telstra.

Might stay with the Pixel TBH as this whole thing has left a bad taste. It’s a shame FP5 did not do more or offer more information on what they had tired (if anything) to get the phones supoprted in Aus.

$250 Comp

We understand that you may have already upgraded your device to a different model based on our earlier advice, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. As a gesture of goodwill, we will apply a $250 credit to your account in the next 48 hours.

Full SMS

IMPORTANT UPDATE - DEVICE REPLACEMENT NO LONGER REQUIRED. We previously informed you that the device you were using needed to be replaced to access emergency 000 calling, and that it would be blocked.  However, we have received new information confirming that that particular device is actually capable of accessing emergency 000 calling. Therefore, that device does not need to be replaced and will not be blocked. You can continue to use that device for voice, SMS, and data services as usual, and no further action is required.  We understand that you may have already upgraded your device to a different model based on our earlier advice, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. As a gesture of goodwill, we will apply a $250 credit to your account in the next 48 hours. Need help?  Chat with us: https://flx.mobi/help or visit your nearest Vodafone store who are partnering to assist.  Find your nearest store vodafone.com.au/stores or for more information you can also visit http://www.felixmobile.com.au/triple-zero-update.  Note: Please do NOT make an emergency 000 call to test your device.

Thanks, felix.

[Jabarkis]

I’ve opened a ticket with Moose about the Vodafone situation, asking them to escalate it to Optus for a response.

Pretty cool that Vodafone offered a $250 credit, as well! Honestly, providers should have been required to do that (or something like it) for everyone device that was being deactivated. That might’ve been sufficient incentive to block as few devices as possible, as well

[dt90125]

@Jabarkis

Pretty cool that Vodafone offered a $250 credit,

I think that’s a reseller offering; Vodafone haven’t suggested any credit in my dealings with them so far.

[Jabarkis]

Useful clarification, thank you, dt90125

[IainM]

@dt90125

I think that’s a reseller offering; Vodafone haven’t suggested any credit in my dealings with them so far.

Maybe. Felix hasn’t been consistent with it either. I know 4 people with FP5 on felix. Two never got any text. Two got a text with no $250 credit offer. So I wouldn’t take absence of it in the message as a sign Vodafone isn’t doing it.

Felix is a sub-brand of TPG/Voda, as opposed to a reseller. I don’t know how aligned/intermingled the two brands are operationally. But I’d take the $250 offer to some Felix customers as a sign that it’s worth pushing for some kind of credit if you’ve invested in a new phone on their advice whether you’re with Felix or Vodafone.

[JimboX]

I got an email from optus in the last few days telling me that they will block my FP3:

Your FAIRPHONE 3 device last used with service number 0421xxxxxx has been identified as unsafe, as it is not able to make calls to Emergency Services (i.e. Triple Zero & ‘112’). Please do not test call Emergency Services. This is not an effective test of your device’s emergency calling capability.

For your safety, Optus is legally required to stop this device from accessing the Optus mobile network. From 09/06/2026 your device will be blocked by Optus, which means you won’t be able to make or receive calls/text or use mobile data.

You immediately need to get a compatible device to stay connected.

[Sir_Crispy_FP5]

This last line is frustrating, because they won’t give a straight answer why it isn’t compatible.

Every reason I’ve been told so far either lacks information or is a straight up lie.

[Jabarkis]

I’m also really curious to know the technical reasons for Vodafone’s (equally opaque) decision not to block FP5s, and whether the other providers can be encouraged to unblock them on that basis.

[dt90125]

@IainM

Felix is a sub-brand of TPG/Voda, as opposed to a reseller.

Mea culpa - I’m only aware of (and have ever dealt with) the “Big 3”; anything outside of that is a reseller to me, so that’s a shortcoming on my part.