Why the 3G shutdown could cut off vending machines
The looming 3G shutdown is going to affect more than Australia's phones.
What many don't know is that many unattended retail sites - such as vending machines, parking stations, car washes - are still relying on the 3G network.
Quality Vend founder and managing director Robbie Allison told 2GB's Ben Fordham that problems had begun with his vending machines a couple of months ago.
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"Eight weeks ago, we started to have issues, and that issue centred around card payments," Allison said.
The card reader was not being properly supported by the 3G network, which is to be shut down in August, he said.
This could result in people not being able to pay for their desired snack - as indeed happened in 2GB's own building, Fordham said.
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The vending machine in 2GB's building now has to carry a reminder that it's not 100 per cent. 2GB
Replacing the card reader isn't a piece of cake either.
Allison estimated the round cost, including parts and labour, to be $650 per vending machine, or more than half his desired profit for the year on a $10,000 machine.
"I would be putting more money into growing my business but now I'm putting money into my business just to stay where I was yesterday," he said.
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And with unattended retail sites using tap-and-go payments on the increase around the country, the new card readers are also in short supply.
"There's an issue coming along there that will happen in the next couple months," Allison said.
"I know I'm down five to 10 per cent on last year and that's because of these outages."
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