Well, this is certainly a problem.
Optus has disclosed that Samsung devices that are attached to the Optus network might find difficulties dialling 000. Currently, Optus estimates that roughly 470,000 devices might be affected by this. During a Senate estimates hearing, it was revealed that several older generations of Samsung model mobile phone devices are unable to connect to Vodafone to then be able to call police, fire, or ambulance services.
TPG Telecom even shared that as recently as last month a customer had died after their device was blocked from calling emergency services due to this issue.
Thankfully, Cathy Rainsford from the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has said that Optus is manually testing roughly half a million devices on its networks and that a software update will likely resolve this major issues for most devices. However, roughly 4,000 devices will be blocked in the coming months from dialling these services, this is due to several devices being unable to receive software updates. Samsung says that devices of theirs that are roughly over seven years old may need to be replaced entirely. The list of the devices impacted by this has been listed on the Samsung Website which can be found here:
“If your device is on the list of impacted devices, you will have 28 days from when your carrier notifies you to update the software or replace your device to stay connected… After this time, the device will be blocked from accessing all Australian mobile networks.” – Statement released by Samsung
