Optus to provide free phones and special deals ahead of the 3G shutdown

Optus is rolling out a series of initiatives to assist customers affected by its upcoming 3G network shutdown in September 2024. The telco is providing free handsets to eligible customers, alongside special deals to help ease the transition to 4G. 

Optus is offering 20,000 no-cost handsets to customers who are facing challenges in upgrading their phones. This offer is targeted at customers experiencing financial hardship, elderly customers and others who are struggling to obtain a new handset. 

Eligible customers will receive an SMS inviting them to request a new handset at no cost. This is separate from the general notifications being sent to all customers impacted by the 3G switch-off.

The move from Optus comes after Telstra announced a similar deal in June, offering 12,000 free phones to vulnerable customers. 

Prepaid offers you might like

The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.

Sponsored Products

$40 Prepaid Unlimited Plan 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $20) SIM Only Prepaid Switch to Australia’s most trusted mobile plan provider. 50% off for your first 3 mths! Get Unlimited GB mobile data for only $20/mth for your first 3 mths. Then $40/mth. Code: FELIX50. Unlimited talk & text.  T&Cs apply. Offer avail. until withdrawn.

UnlimitedGB Data/month

$20.00 Cost/month

Go to site

365 Day 140GB Plan 365 Day Contract (365 days min. cost $149) SIM Only Prepaid Get Coles Mobile’s 365 day plan with 140GB data for only $149! That’s less than $12.50/mth! Unlimited talk and text plus rollover up to 500GB*. Offer ends 07/01/2025, T&Cs apply. Offer avail. until withdrawn.

140GB Data/expiry period

$149.00 Cost/expiry period

Go to site

View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue

*^View important information

Special smartphone discounts and offers

To further support the transition, Optus has introduced several deals for customers upgrading their devices.

• Up to $400 off any handset: Existing Optus postpaid customers can receive up to $400 off any handset on an eligible plan. This discount makes many phones available for as low as $0 when purchased on an Optus payment plan over 24 or 36 months.
• $1 per month handsets: Select handsets are available for $1 a month on a 24 or 36-month contract.

These offers are available for a limited time to existing customers purchasing a new, eligible device on an Optus plan. Terms and conditions apply.

If you do take up this offer, you’ll need to pair your device with one of the following Optus postpaid mobile plans.

The following table shows all published Optus postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

Why is Optus offering free 4G phones?

In addition to rendering 3G-only phones useless on the Optus network, the 3G shutdown will also affect some 4G handsets that rely on the 3G network for emergency calls. 

Harvey Wright, Optus Head of New Products, emphasised the need for impacted customers to replace their phones as soon as possible.

“We know that many impacted customers are actually using a 4G handset that reverts to 3G for calls, so it’s vital these customers understand the importance of upgrading their handsets when notified,” he said.

Optus has implemented several measures to support customers through this transition, including sending over 2.6 million messages, emails and letters directly to impacted users. 

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has also launched a ‘Check My Device’ tool in partnership with Optus to help Australians prepare for the 3G network switch-off. Aussies can check if their handset is impacted by texting ‘3’ to ‘3498’ from their mobile handset.