Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.
Originally published in the Canberra Times.
Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off which is now scheduled to take place on 28 October.
This is about far more than upgrading an old 3G phone.
I fear many small businesses are unaware of the scope of this event and the possible business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction they may face.
My message is this: check the functionality of your technology so you're not a 3G casualty.
Many of us just do not realise there is an awful lot of technology and equipment used every day that's actually enabled by 3G.
Quite understandably, we're thinking about what the piece of kit actually does and the time-saving or technology-enhancing way it allows us to get on with business.
Yet, the 3G switch-off could have sweeping business consequences.
It may disable older-style EFTPOS terminals and tap-to-pay pads we see at car park exits and vending machines while vital equipment and software, including those relating to record-keeping, accounts, bookings and payroll, could stop working.
At risk may be security systems and cameras, tablets, telephones in elevators, fire alarms 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 also cease functioning.
There are also very serious safety concerns about people who rely on 3G for medical monitors and sensors and to make sure calls can still be made to emergency services.
Many people may not know their home or business may be riddled with embedded devices relying on 3G until it's too late.
I'm sounding a warning to small businesses to be aware this is a possibility and to do something about it now.
The use of 3G is extremely broad, and one of the things of most concern is it is not immediately obvious. It would be terrible if the first time you learn about that is when it shuts down, and that might be critical to your business operations.
You might be selling miniature goats at regional shows and relying on a mobile EFTPOS machine. You might use remote monitoring of water levels in a dam, be assessing microclimates in a vineyard or opening and shutting gates. You might even have a surveying station called a Total Station. Or you might be tracking assets and trucks for a freight company or simply trying to buy a Pepsi Max from a vending machine.
A security system might be looking after your premises, and all of a sudden there's no link back to the base station and no remote observation capability.
Even some 4G-enabled devices have aspects that are powered by 3G and some 4G mobile phones default to 3G for emergency calls.
Telstra and Optus have responded to concerns that too many people are not aware and not ready for the switch-off by announcing they will delay the shutdown that had been scheduled for the end of this month to now take place on October 28.
They are promising to mount one last push for mass public awareness.
This must include actions to improve awareness 3G use is embedded in business equipment and technology in small, family and farming businesses. It can't just be more of the same in the hope people become aware of it through serendipity.
We need a coordinated education and awareness campaign by telecommunications companies and technology manufacturers and suppliers aimed at improving awareness and action among small businesses and explaining the wide-ranging effects and options to upgrade or replace their equipment as soon as possible.
Surely the telcos are best-placed to know who is using 3G for reasons other than making phone calls and have data about who is currently paying the bill for use of that spectrum.
As the 'most likely to know' party and the commercial beneficiaries of the reuse 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.
It is pleasing Telstra has reviewed its billing data to see which third-party equipment and service vendors are still paying for the use of 3G spectrum, urging these vendors to reach out to unsuspecting customers.
In the extended window before the 3G turn-off, Telstra, Optus and the third-party vendors of services and equipment still using 3G need to redouble their efforts to connect with impacted customers before they are disconnected from vital small, family and farming business capabilities.
For the businesses that aren't sure how a vital piece of equipment, machinery, kit, technology or service communicates wirelessly with another location to do what it does, don't be left wondering.
Make a call to the vendor and ask the question: "Will the end of 3G impact on me?"
The extension of time must be used wisely.
We can't just let the shot clock run down and then have an awful lot of distressed business owners on October 29 saying: "Hey, my stuff doesn't work."
- Bruce Billson is the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
