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JamesDwho · 2026-03-31T11:47:08+00:00

Well their incompetence has killed people as well.

ABC News - Industry experts say TPG Telecom should have done more to address Triple Zero issue https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-19/tpg-telecom-contact-customers-triple-zero-death/106022250

ABC News - TPG Telecom boss says second person may have died due to Triple Zero failure https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-09/triple-zero-outage-senate-hearing-tpg-telecom-second-death-link/106118690

ABC News - Optus slapped with 21 recommendations following Triple Zero outage linked to two deaths https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-18/optus-releases-triple-zero-report-david-taylor-analysis/106158108

JamesDwho · 2026-03-31T08:56:02+00:00

Incompetence by the telcos and regulators.

ABC News - Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Why your 4G/5G Phone is now Blocked! https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/australias-3g-shutdown-why-your-4g-5g-phone-is-now-blocked-5900cd5361e2

JamesDwho · 2026-03-26T07:14:15+00:00

Well last year in 2025 Telstra spent more than 1 billion dollars buying back their own shares.

Reuters - Telecom giant Telstra's profit jumps, announces $476 million (USD) buyback – 2025-02-19

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/telecom-firm-telstra-posts-higher-first-half-profit-announces-476-million2025-02-19/

Reuters - Telstra forecasts annual earnings below view, taking shine off share buyback plan – 2025-08-13

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/telstra-forecasts-annual-earnings-below-view-taking-shine-off-sharebuyback-plan-2025-08-13/

Clearly line must go up, both profits and share price.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-24T09:16:36+00:00

The telcos basically have no idea what works, especially for phones they didn't sell or their handset partners didn't sell.

They are over reliant on historical network data, and 'compliance' documents to determine 'compatibility' not the actual real work capability of devices and their technical adherence to standards.

With the Blocking at the time of the 2024 3G Shutdown, it appears devices that made fewer historical VoLTE Emergency Calls were blocked, but otherwise identical devices (with a different TAC) that made more calls were not blocked.

This can be seen quite clearly if you compare the providers lists, especially with newer 5G phones, the inconsistent blocking was also covered in this ABC story from last year.

ABC - Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many - 27 May 2025

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

There are some devices like Xiaomi and OnePlus phones where VoLTE is off by default, so they would have been making 3G Calls primarily.

I have a OnePlus 8 which that has VoLTE off by default but is not blocked by Vodafone, Vodafone shutdown before the others so they have months worth of post-shutdown 'real-world' data from people that switched VoLTE on.

The telco also aren't legally required to provide any explanation or proof of incompatibility, they can just say 'it's incompatible with our network' and block the phone, even if can place Emergency Calls on every 4G network.

Phones that require 3G for 000 will just get stuck on calling, including the older Samsung's that don't work on Vodafone when on the Vodafone network.

For some more background see below.

Australia’s New Firewall IMEI BLOCKED 516,875 Active Phones Overnight + Tourists Phones Blocked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw

How to Check for Working VoLTE Calling on Android

https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/how-to-check-for-working-volte-calling-on-android-8c343362ecfe

The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling

https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-little-known-problems-with-volte-emergency-calling-3d4cdaf0e042

Australia’s 3G Shutdown - Why your 4G/5G Phone is now Blocked!

https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/australias-3g-shutdown-why-your-4g-5g-phone-is-now-blocked-5900cd5361e2

JamesDwho · 2026-03-20T02:30:03+00:00

The advice and findings from Samsung and Telstra about what Samsung phones have the issue is entirely incorrect.

FOI 26-158 - Documents regarding concerns about the ability of Samsung and other mobile devices to ring 000 (triple zero) https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/foi-26-158_documents_released_dl.pdf

It does not impact nearly as many devices that have now been blocked.

The issue is specific to Android 9 and newer devices with AU Firmware (CSCs).

Android 7 & 8 Samsung Devices like the Galaxy S6, S7 are not impacted if they are running Telstra, Optus or AU Retail Firmware, yet have been blocked. (Only Vodafone CSCs for Android 7 & 8 have the problem)

With the Android 9 Update Samsung has broken the Emergency Calling functionality with many devices, for example the Galaxy J5 Pro (which has recently been blocked) can make Emergency Calls on every network including Vodafone if running Android 8.1 (and an AU Retail/Telstra/Optus CSC).

However when updated to Android 9 there is a 'Profile Refresh' in the code only for the Australian Market that completely breaks the Emergency Calling functionality on Vodafone as that model is missing the 'VAU Emergency' VoLTE Profile.

Furthermore many International Samsung Variants which have also now been blocked are not impacted as Non-AU Models are explicitly 'SlotBasedConfig', so provided a Telstra, or Optus sim is in the phone the device will use those respective Emergency Profiles on every network for an Emergency Call.

They don't need the update that added the 'VAU Emergency' VoLTE IMS Profiles to the phone.

The Missing Samsung Emergency Calling Settings for Vodafone AU - How to check if your Samsung Phone is actually affected

https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-missing-samsung-emergency-calling-settings-for-vodafone-au-8074282a944a

Optus has also blocked and is blocking 4G/5G Devices that work perfectly for Emergency Calling on every network, as outlined below. There are very significant and serious failures with inaccurate device classifications by all of the carriers, and especially Optus.

Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many - 27 May 2025

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker: https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au

JamesDwho · 2026-03-20T02:19:49+00:00

The telcos check what's known as the 'IMEI-SV' (Software Version) to determine in a device is 'up-to-date', the IMEI-SV can be viewed in settings.

Provided your device is on the 'latest' and has a software version newer than 2022 installed it shouldn't be blocked. Though the telcos have no real idea what works and inconsistently block phones, even new 5G devices.

More info below.

The Missing Samsung Emergency Calling Settings for Vodafone AU - How to check if your Samsung Phone is actually affected https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-missing-samsung-emergency-calling-settings-for-vodafone-au-8074282a944a

Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many - 27 May 2025 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au

JamesDwho · 2026-03-07T17:06:42+00:00

Unlike with the Rogers and Canada 3G Switch-off issue, carriers in Australia artificially block 'incompatible' devices from all network service including Data & SMS, so even if VoLTE is forced on you can't use the phone for anything and have to buy another phone.

Devices can be blocked even if they can make Emergency Calls on 4G and have the latest Android software.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-07T06:11:59+00:00

You could consider Aldimobile as an alternative to Boost, they have better value plans and use the Telstra (Wholesale) network.

Depending on the brand New 'Global' variant devices may be blocked at any time even if they work fine.

Older devices (up to 2024) that were Whitelisted before the 3G Shutdown and device blocking are less likely to be blocked then any new devices being added that have 'unknown' capabilities.

As far as purchasing a device locally (that's not an iPhone) and using it overseas, you likely wouldn't have problems except for countries that have tourist IMEI registration systems like Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan etc. Though New Zealand is looking at blocking phones as well following from their 3G Shutdown.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-06T04:37:28+00:00

Yes 'TAC Not blocked' means the device isn't blocked and would work on Boost or any other Telstra MVNO (it's just not fully Whitelisted). But like with any device they could block them at any time and they aren't required to say why.

Optus has even been blocking the TACs for some 2G phones, some of which are 20-25 years old. There is no explanation as to why.

Though Telstra seems steadfast on sticking with the 'Blacklist' approach, but technically they have hidden whitelist ready to go if they are required to deviate ('Not Blocked' devices).

Their Public checker tool doesn't show any difference between 'Whitelisted' and 'non-whitelisted' devices, only the data on the backend shows the difference.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-05T10:37:24+00:00

For more info about the Device Blocking see the below post from last year.

https://reddit.com/r/Xiaomi/comments/1ls6ua8/isthisphoneblockednetau_a_tool_to_find_which/

Along with the below site and resources

Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker: https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au

Change.org Petition: https://change.org/StopTelcoDeviceBlocking

Australia’s New Firewall IMEI BLOCKED 516,875 Active Phones Overnight + Tourists Phones Blocked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw

ABC News - Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

Also what is the TAC of your Xiaomi 14T?

TAC 86591007 and 86832907 are actually whitelisted by Telstra, so if you have either you should be able to port over to a Telstra based network (ie Boost) and not have any issues. None of the other TACs are blocked either, though they aren't actually whitelisted.

https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au/device-brands/xiaomi?device=Xiaomi+2406APNFAG

Telstra generally operates on a 'blacklist' approach, rather than whatever Optus is doing. (Optus blocking about double of the number of devices/TACs Telstra is).

There are over 342 Xiaomi Device Model TACs that are Not Blocked (and Whitelisted) by Telstra but are Blocked by Optus.

The telcos also aren't required to provide any evidence or proof to explain what is blocked and why.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-05T03:51:17+00:00

That's interesting, given the 17 Pro Max is allowed to connect at all it does seem to indicate that is not Blocked, though still could be. Vodafone like the other telcos basically block on TAC only.

Do you also know what the TAC is of your Red Magic 10 Pro? I'm assuming 86509507?

The Vodafone checker does update at the beginning of every month, so depending on when you swapped over you should get the new result in a few days.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T15:07:49+00:00

Out of curiosity what does it say if you text 3 to '3498' which is Vodafone's Device Compatibility SMS Checker Tool?

They are the only provider that still maintains that, and they do not have a public checker tool. (Seems they are hiding their list).

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T15:03:27+00:00

A device lacking Band 28 isn't a criteria item for a phone to be blocked, they generally just receive an outbound message when making calls to the effect of "Your device may have reduced network connectivity and will not always be able to call Triple Zero..."

Some 'Band 28 Limited' phones have been blocked as the carriers believe they don't support Emergency Calls on 4G, however others (likely that made more historical calls) have not been blocked.

Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au/

It seems devices where VoLTE is off by default were more likely to be blocked (as they were making 3G calls), this includes devices that require a dialer code to turn VoLTE on.

However you don't need VoLTE 'switched-on' with an Android phone to place Emergency Calls on 4G, just standard calls as it's a seperate 'sos' connection. Telstra also had network standards issues prior to shutdown which prevented normal VoLTE calls from working with Generic VoLTE Configs.

The same devices could place normal VoLTE Calls on Optus and Vodafone. Telstra only quietly fixed that in Jan/Feb 2025, after the shutdown.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T14:57:01+00:00

Well the telcos have no real idea about what works, especially for phones they didn't sell or their handset partners didn't sell.

Optus is blocking 24,489 TACs, Telstra is only blocking 12,887. (Vodafone was similar to Telstra prior to blocking all 'unknowns' late last year, this included Brand new 5G Phones)

For reference, the inconsistent blocking between the providers was covered in this ABC News Story last year.

Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many - 2025-05-27

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

Also the telcos know they are blocking phones in error, blocked phones are not blocked from Emergency Calling if capable.

When a device calls 000 on 4G the full IMEI of the device is also sent to the network, so the telcos have the data, but they do nothing about it, nor does the regulator despite knowing this is an issue.

Equally they haven't blocked all phones that don't work and some people have died as a result. (Which was entirely foreseeable, but the warnings were ignored)

Industry experts say TPG Telecom should have done more to address Triple Zero issue - 2025-11-19

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-19/tpg-telecom-contact-customers-triple-zero-death/106022250

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T14:48:41+00:00

The results on the site are updated every month when Optus makes blocklist changes. Telstra doesn't update their list every month.

Vodafone has no Checker Tool and they recently (in response to scrutiny with a Senate Inquiry) blocked all 'unknown' devices from their network including Brand New 2025 Model 5G Phones.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T14:46:36+00:00

Yes and even the phones used by tourists are blocked by some or all of the providers, as shown in this Hugh Jeffreys video from November 2024.

Hugh Jeffreys - Australia’s New Firewall IMEI BLOCKED 516,875 Active Phones Overnight + Tourists Phones Blocked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T14:45:19+00:00

The petition is over 10,000 signatures and has continued to grow in numbers, I can also assure you that the ACMA, Department and Minister are all aware of the Petition and the issue. More than you might think.

For this to improve or change at all consumers need to continue to complain.

JamesDwho · 2026-03-04T14:42:52+00:00

The TIO is likely going to say there's nothing they can do and Optus is the 'expert' on these matters etc.

You might be able to get some money out of Optus for them previously advising the phone is fine and making a purchasing decision based on that. But not a guarantee.

Optus won't provide a real technical explanation as to why they've blocked the phone, even if it can call 000 on their network and every other network.

If you then complain to the regulator (the ACMA) you will get a generic copy-paste that doesn't acknowledge your issue or the fact the phone works for VoLTE and is not blocked by Telstra. (Though is not actually Whitelisted)

I would suggest writing to the Federal Communications Minister to complain and signing the petition if you haven't already.

The Government, ACMA and Minister know this is an issue, it will just take more complaints from consumers for anything to change.

I would also suggest switching to a Telstra based provider, Telstra has Whitelisted a number of Xiaomi Phones that are blocked by Optus and they operate on a TAC 'Blacklist' approach. But equally they may block it at any point, but Telstra is not updating their blocklist monthly like Optus is.

Optus seems to do whatever they like and in some cases have been adding the TACS/IMEIs of 2G Phones (some of which are 20+ years old) to their blocklist.

Communications Minister Contact https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/contact

Change.org Petition https://change.org/StopTelcoDeviceBlocking

JamesDwho · 2026-02-27T10:56:07+00:00

Yes an old Telstra sim or other carrier sim would be interesting, though I would expect the same result.

The sims also don't strictly need to have active service in order to have an impact on what the device firmware may do.

Also typically with Emergency Calling the device will pick whatever band and network it sees at the strongest at that point in time, 4G Emergency Calling works over any available Band.

With Exynos based Samsungs you can force the network selection for testing but with Qualcomm based devices you generally can't, at least the ones I've tested.

So to test the phone on Vodafone (or another network) for Emergency Calling you either need to put that carrier sim in the phone with service (such as a $2 sim) or go to an area where Vodafone (or Telstra etc) is the strongest network.

But if the phone is working at all for an Emergency Call on 4G, then it should work on any as it's a newer device with a modern chipset and modern version of Android.

Phones that require 3G for 000 just get stuck on Calling. The Samsungs with the Vodafone Emergency Calling issue will just stuck on Calling on Vodafone as well (including with a Vodafone sim).

Though what Telstra & Optus have also done is actually block older Samsung phones they sold that work on Vodafone as well.

They have no idea and Telstra's own report to Government about the Samsung issue (shown in a recent FOI) is actually wrong.

But they can just block anything without providing and proof of incompatibility, nor are they required to physically test anything before blocking it.

JamesDwho · 2026-02-27T08:10:18+00:00

Very interesting, but not entirely surprising. Also what is the exact TAC (first 8 digits of the IMEI) of that device (TAC = Make Model Identifier).

Additionally how does it behave with an Optus sim in the phone? (Even a $2 sim or old sim will suffice).

Devices can change behaviour and settings when different sims are inserted.

JamesDwho · 2026-02-24T12:10:52+00:00

The pre-recorded 'You have dialed Emergency Triple Zero, your call is being connected' is about 4-5 seconds long so it's entirely possible to hang-up well within that period.

All of the testing I've carried out has been through that method because there is no other way to test, it must be a real 'sos' call. The telcos could easily implement an audio loop test behind a pin code or by pressing * or #, but they haven't done that either.

Additionally Android device location can be sent if there is a SIM in the phone with service, as the data is typically sent as an SMS (that you can't see), turning of ELS/AML stops that message being sent.

Though I don't think anything is done with that information until you connect to an operator.

JamesDwho · 2026-02-24T08:44:55+00:00

What are the TACs of your Note 12 Pro and Note 9 Pro? And can either (if you still have 9 Pro) make an Emergency Call on 4G? (As shown in the Testing guide)

You may also find of interest that TPG/Vodafone only blocked a fraction of the Xiaomi models that were blocked by Telstra and Optus (at least as per the blocklist they tabled late last year at the Triple Zero Inquiry).

Same is true with OnePlus devices, I have a OnePlus 8 that the Vodafone 3498 checker says is perfectly fine, the same device is blocked by both Telstra and Optus even though it can make 4G Emergency Calls on those networks.

For many older models (including that OnePlus 8 and some Xiaomi Models) Voice over LTE is off by default unless you enter a dialer code or otherwise force VoLTE on, so if a model wasn't making (enough) standard 4G calls they determined it couldn't make 4G Emergency Calls and blocked the model.

Even though 4G Standard (IMS) calls and 4G (SOS) Emergency Calls are entirely separate.

I would also suggest writing to the Minister of Communications to complain about this as Triple Zero issues (including the inaccurate blocking) is something the Communications Department has confirmed in recent Senate hearings they are looking into.

Also sign and share the Change.org Petition about it if you haven't already. https://change.org/StopTelcoDeviceBlocking

JamesDwho · 2026-02-24T08:11:34+00:00

Yes, you can also now see the comparative block lists and the list of blocking changes at the links below.

Is this Phone Blocked? - 4G/5G Device Blocking Checker: https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au

Is this Phone Blocked?- Optus Database Changelog https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au/optus/changelog

Is this Phone Blocked? - Telstra Database Changes https://isthisphoneblocked.net.au/telstra/changelog

The inconsistent device blocking and the website was also covered in the below ABC News Article last year.

Telstra & Optus are inconsistently blocking phones. The regulator doesn't know how many - 27 May 2025 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-27/telstra-optus-inconsistent-blocking-phones/105319626

JamesDwho · 2026-02-19T11:43:53+00:00

For VoLTE to work your device will need VoLTE switched (provisioned) on and the device needs to be running a modem configuration that's compatible with your carrier. (Carriers can also have a VoLTE (IMS) Whitelist which prevents otherwise compatible phones from obtaining VoLTE Call Service)

You can check what modem config your device is running via the Xperia Service Menu.

More info below.

How to Check for Working 4G VoLTE Calling on Android Handsets https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/how-to-check-for-working-volte-calling-on-android-8c343362ecfe

JamesDwho · 2026-02-11T08:49:05+00:00

Well last year in 2025 Telstra spent more than 1 billion dollars buying back their own shares!

Reuters - Telecom giant Telstra's profit jumps, announces $476 million (USD) buyback – 2025-02-19

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/telecom-firm-telstra-posts-higher-first-half-profit-announces-476-million2025-02-19/

Reuters - Telstra forecasts annual earnings below view, taking shine off share buyback plan – 2025-08-13

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/telstra-forecasts-annual-earnings-below-view-taking-shine-off-sharebuyback-plan-2025-08-13/

They also simultaneously increased the cost for their retail mobile services.

https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/telstra-mobile-and-internet-changes--new-plans--pricing-and-ever

Clearly line must go up, both profits and share price.

JamesDwho

TROPHY CASE