If your monitored alarm relied on a 3G communicator and nobody upgraded it, it is almost certainly no longer reaching your monitoring centre. The sirens and keypad may still work, but alerts are not being sent. Australia’s 3G networks were switched off between December 2023 (TPG and Vodafone) and November 2024 (Telstra and Optus). The fix is usually a 4G or dual-path communicator, which one published industry guide puts at roughly $200 to $500 for the module, plus installation.
Updated September 2026. This guide explains when each network closed, which alarms were affected, how to check yours safely and what the upgrade options cost. It also covers older alarms that dial out over a phone line, which the NBN affects in a similar way. It applies to home and business alarms in NSW, but the 3G closures were national, so the same checks apply elsewhere in Australia.
When did the 3G networks close?
The Department of Infrastructure confirms that Australia’s 3G networks have now been switched off. The dates below come from the carriers and government.
| Network | Original plan | What actually happened |
|---|---|---|
| TPG Telecom (Vodafone, and brands using its network) | 15 December 2023 | Switched off from 15 December 2023; the government describes the closure as completed in January 2024 |
| Telstra (and brands using its network) | 30 June 2024, then 31 August 2024 | Started 28 October 2024; completed nationally by 4 November 2024 |
| Optus (and brands using its network) | September 2024 | Started 28 October 2024; the government describes the closure as completed in November 2024 |
Telstra and Optus jointly pushed back their closures to 28 October 2024 after concerns about devices that could not call Triple Zero. The ACMA also changed the emergency call rules so that carriers must identify mobile phones that cannot reach Triple Zero, notify the user and stop providing service to those devices.
Which alarms were affected?
The government’s list of affected devices specifically includes security systems, personal medical alarms and lift phones. Telstra’s closure page lists fire and security alarms, in-home personal emergency alarms and EFTPOS terminals. It warns that an alert button relying on 3G will simply not send an alert.
The alarms most likely to be affected are:
- Back-to-base monitored alarms with a 3G communicator module, such as the older Bosch B443 3G module or 3G versions of the Permaconn PM45.
- Self-monitored alarms with a SIM card that send SMS alerts or allow arming by text or app over 3G.
- Personal medical alarms and pendants with a built-in SIM.
- Gate openers, lift phones and fire panels that report over mobile.
RAC in Western Australia puts the effect plainly: an alarm with an un-upgraded 3G communicator will still work on site, but it will no longer be monitored. That is the dangerous part. Your siren still sounds, the keypad still beeps, and nothing tells you the monitoring link has gone.
Dial-up alarms and the NBN
Older alarms that dial out over a copper phone line face a similar problem. On the NBN there is no traditional phone line, and nbn says it cannot give general advice due to the wide range of security alarms. It tells customers to check compatibility with their alarm provider.
On fibre-to-the-premises connections, some alarms were connected to the voice port (UNI-V) on the nbn connection box. nbn has announced the withdrawal of the UNI-V port and battery backup by 31 January 2031. nbn also says most nbn connections do not work during a power blackout. For both reasons, an alarm that relies on a phone line should be moved to a 4G or dual-path communicator. Note that nbn’s Medical Alarm Register closed on 30 June 2023, so there is no longer anything to register.
How to check whether your alarm still reports
- Call your monitoring company. Ask which communication paths your panel is registered on, and when it last reported in successfully. If it has not reported since late 2024, treat it as offline.
- Look for the communicator. Inside the alarm panel cabinet, find the communicator module and note its brand and model. Many modules show 3G or 4G on the label. A retailer guide suggests that systems installed before 2018 are likely to be running on 3G.
- Arrange a test with the monitoring centre. Ask them to put your account in test mode, trigger a test signal and confirm they received it. Do not trigger a live alarm without telling them first.
- Check your app and SMS alerts. For self-monitored systems, arm and disarm through the app, or trigger a zone, and confirm the notification arrives.
- Do not test by calling 000. The ACMA warns: do not test your device by making an emergency call. Its free text service (text “3” to 3498) checks mobile phones, not alarm communicators.
Upgrade options
4G communicator
The simplest fix is to replace the 3G module with a 4G one that works with your existing alarm panel. Examples include the Bosch B444 4G module, which replaces the B443 3G module on Solution 2000, 3000 and 4000 panels, and universal communicators such as the Permaconn PM24.
Dual-path communicator
A dual-path unit sends signals over two routes, such as your internet connection and 4G, or two different mobile networks. If one path fails, the other carries the alarm. Examples include the Permaconn PM45-4G (dual SIM plus IP) and the Inner Range Multipath T4000 (dual 4G plus Ethernet). Dual-path is worth considering for businesses, insurance requirements and homes where the internet is unreliable.
Replacing the whole panel
If the panel is old, unsupported or not compatible with any 4G communicator, it can be cheaper overall to replace the alarm system. ADT notes that some customers need to upgrade their entire system rather than add a device. A new panel usually brings app control and better sensors too.
Monitoring standards
The Australian standard for alarm transmission is AS/NZS 2201.5, and monitoring centres are graded under AS 2201.2. If your insurer specifies a class of monitoring or signalling, confirm the communicator and centre meet it before you buy.
What it costs
Few providers publish upgrade prices, so use these figures as a guide only. As of 2026:
- Communicator module: NIS puts a communicator module at $200 to $500 (January 2025). As a component price, Security Wholesalers lists a Permaconn PM24 single-SIM 4G communicator at $124 inc. GST, and a Bosch B444 module retails at about $300. Installation, programming and testing come on top.
- Back-to-base monitoring: NIS puts residential monitoring at $25 to $45 a month and commercial at $40 to $80. Castle Security (April 2026) puts it at $30 to $60 a month, with premium plans up to about $80.
- Dual-path: expect a higher module price and sometimes a higher monitoring fee, because two paths are supervised.
The real cost depends on your panel model, whether the communicator is compatible, signal strength at the panel location and whether an external antenna is needed. Get an on-site quote before committing. Replacing a communicator is work on security equipment, so check that the installer holds the right NSW security licence. Our guide to licences for installing CCTV and alarms in NSW explains what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
My alarm still beeps and sounds. Does that mean it is fine?
No. The local siren and keypad work independently of the communicator. Only a successful test signal to your monitoring centre or app proves that alerts are getting through.
Is my alarm company responsible for upgrading it?
It depends on your contract. Many monitoring companies contacted customers before the shutdown, but if your alarm was installed by someone else or you changed provider, you may never have been told. Call your monitoring company to confirm.
Will a 4G communicator be switched off too?
There is no announced 4G closure date. Choosing a communicator that supports 4G Cat-M1 or dual-path gives you the longest life.
Does my self-monitored alarm need an upgrade?
If it uses a SIM card to send SMS or app alerts, it needed a 4G SIM and module after the shutdown. If it uses your home Wi-Fi or Ethernet, the 3G closure did not affect it.
What about medical alarms?
Personal medical alarms with a built-in 3G SIM stopped working. Contact the supplier for a 4G replacement, and test it once it is connected.
Mac-Tek Telecom installs, upgrades and services alarm and intercom systems across Penrith, Parramatta, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, St Marys and Western Sydney. If you are unsure whether your alarm is still reporting, book an alarm check or call 0411 126 995. We will identify your panel and communicator and give you a written quote for the right upgrade. If you are also weighing up cameras or an intercom, see our guide to home security systems in Penrith.
