The imminent shutdown of the 3G network should be postponed, according to a Senate Committee report following evidence given by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Australia’s largest and most representative business network, through its Small Business Committee, gave testimony last week to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee looking into the 3G shutdown.

ACCI cited evidence given by industry and businesses that the 3G network will have a wider impact than first thought as many businesses still use equipment that relies on the network.

This includes EFTPOS terminals, industrial routers, tracking equipment on fleet vehicles and surveyors’ equipment which cannot be upgraded and costs around $15,000 per item to replace.

ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar welcomed the findings of the Committee’s interim report that the shutdown be delayed.

“It appears that much of the equipment that businesses use that relies on 3G had previously been overlooked,” Mr McKellar said.

“If this shutdown is to be delayed it would be a last-minute reprieve for affected businesses, with Telstra scheduled to shut down its 3G signal on August 31 and Optus to follow the following day (September 1).

“A postponement will give businesses, particularly small businesses in regional areas who are likely to be most heavily affected, time to upgrade to new equipment and therefore delay costs.”

CEO of Surveyors Australia, Michelle Blicavs, also found the Senate’s report encouraging.

“It’s really pleasing to see that the government has listened to industry and recognised that this shutdown has much wider implications than the telcos initially seemed to realise,” she said.

“This senate inquiry has clearly led to a much broader understanding of the consequences and that’s a very good thing for the business community.”

The findings of the committee’s interim report have recommended:

• the Communications Minister to meet with the major telcos to seek a delay of the shutdown.
• The 4G network to provide coverage that is equivalent to or better than the 3G network.
• Government and industry to audit the number of devices that will be affected.

ACCI will now await the federal government’s response.