---
title: "FarmConnect Australia: 3G End of Life"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/FCKB/blog/2194243646/FarmConnect%20Australia%3A%203G%20End%20of%20Life"
format: markdown
---
Telstra’s 3G network is shutting down in June 2024.

For the past 13 years Rubicon’s FarmConnect™ platform has relied on the 3G Telstra Network, to provide the connectivity from the field to the cellular network and onto the host servers. As of June 2024, the 3G Telstra network will be shutdown.

The FarmConnect platform using Zigbee iBee radios has an on-farm Gateway with a 3G modem backhauling data from the field to the host servers. To migrate to  
the 4G cellular network, this will require the replacement of 3G modems and associated hardware used in the FarmConnect gateway. To support the existing Zigbee iBee radios for our FarmConnect clients, Rubicon have been working on an upgrade path to 4G for the past 12 months. The upgrade is required at the gateway on-farm, and involves the replacement of the modem and computer to support 4G connectivity whilst maintaining the Zigbee radio network across the farm.

The modem and computer upgrade will be in the form a new Motorola Gateway with integrated 4G/LTE modem; this is the gateway being used in the current generation of FarmConnect hardware.  The upgrade also supports the new LoRa radio technology that replaces Zigbee, which is now also end of life.

## Who does this affect?

Australian FarmConnect customers with Zigbee IBee radio nodes (see figure below) will be impacted.


![image-20240322-081120.png](media://6e6fd53f-dab6-452e-9952-4f50775e5d58)

Customers with LoRa radio nodes (black boxes) are not affected as the latest generation of FarmConnect gateways use 4G/LTE modems.

No customers outside of Australia will be affected.

## What’s next?

Bulletins have been sent to customers that will be impacted by this issue - please look out for this in your email inbox.  The notice contains further information on the changes required and options available.

### For scoping and pricing, please contact:  
Rodney Neil  
Mobile: 0448 973 647  
Email: [rodney.neil@rubiconwater.com](mailto:rodney.neil@rubiconwater.com)

### For technical questions, please contact:  
Pathum Shanuka  
Mobile: 0488 715 138  
Email: [pathum.shanuka@rubiconwater.com](mailto:pathum.shanuka@rubiconwater.com)