Tweet Facebook Mail The looming 3G shutdown is going to affect more than Australia's phones. What many don't know is that unattended retail sites - such as vending machines, parking stations, car washes - all rely 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.
READ MORE: Search continues for biggest lotto winner in Aussie history "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.
READ MORE: Four killed as building collapses while revellers dance 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. READ MORE: Aussie fashion label Dion Lee 'calls in administrators' Vigilante who hunted city's serial killers became a YouTube star View Gallery And.
