Australian 3G Network Shutdown: Everything you need to know

Information from Whistle Out

Why shut down 3G networks?

All wireless communications rely on radio frequency or "spectrum" (measured in megahertz bands, such as 850MHz or 2100MHz). Spectrum is a fixed resource. The amount available to use is determined by the physics of radio waves. Telcos buy access to "lots" of spectrum that they use to build their network, but once a band is full, that's it. We can't add more.

As such, telcos have to make the most of the spectrum they have. For example, if a provider no longer runs 3G services on a certain band, it can redeploy that spectrum as faster and more efficient 4G or 5G.

It's not a perfect analogy, but think of spectrum like a farm. You can change how you use your land - you could turn your apple orchard into a vineyard - but you can't plant outside of your property. 

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