The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in the next few weeks.
Mr Billson today 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 were not harmed by 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.
"The 3G switch-off could affect EFTPOS terminals, security systems and cameras, tablets, smart watches, vending machines and even swipe pads at car parking stations.
"Asset tracking tools, surveying instruments, water and environmental monitoring, farm gates and many other wireless operating systems may be affected.
"The telcos are best placed to know who is using 3G for reasons other than making phone calls. They will have data about who is currently paying for use of that spectrum," he said.
"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 shut down.
"There is an awful lot of technology and equipment used in everyday small, family and farming businesses that's actually powered by 3G.
"You probably don't think about what technology is powering the wireless link. You're thinking more about what the piece of kit actually does.
"My concern is when the 3G network shut off happens at the end of August, devices such as older style EFTPOS machines, security cameras, asset tracking tools and water and environmental monitoring technology might stop working.
"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.
"But beware of scams and only contact providers using trusted information and links."
Telstra will switch off its 3G network on 31 August and Optus from 1 September. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G network.
