It's been a month since the 4G network changeover, and frustrations are mounting as unreliable connectivity sparks serious health and safety concerns across the community.

Telstra and Optus began shutting down the 3G network nationally on October 28, but the transition has been anything but smooth.

Cathy Denyer, who is connected to the Berkely Downs mobile phone tower contacted Western Plains App with her concerns.

 "Since the changeover, service has been almost non-existent, and now it’s right in the middle of harvest just when we need a phone," Ms Denyer said.

"Telstra have been less than helpful, and person we spoke to gave a different reason for the lack of service."

 "No amount of boosters made any difference.

"Those of us with Live Life alarms, and hearing aids connected to mobile coverage have problems, needless to say when there is a header on fire at your neighbours place and the phone is not working, that is not ideal."

 Western Plains App aren't the only organisation to be contacted by unhappy customers.

Caron Chester, Regional Services Manager for the Western Division of NSW Farmers said they have received so many complaints about the switch to 4G that they considering preparing a media release.

 "It's just incredible," Ms Chester said.

"People have spent thousands of dollars to upgrade their equipment, and they're not getting the 4G connectivity where they used to get the 3G, so they've just got nothing."

Caron Chester, NSWFA.

“I spoke to a man in an area where people are saying they have issues and he said that he didn’t upgrade his equipment to 4G, and it is pretty much working exactly the same.”

 Ms Chester said that besides the inconvenience, lack of phone connectivity can be disastrous.

“It can be quite a dangerous situation if there's some sort of emergency,” she said.

“One woman told me she has two grandkids at her property, and they’ve had a bad snake season but no way to contact emergency services if something happens.

"In another instance, a mother wanted to bring her four-pound premmie baby home, but they couldn't go home because they didn't have connectivity, so they are forced to stay in town.”

Another unhappy Western Plains resident, who lives west of Walgett, advised Western Plains App that it had been an expensive exercise to transfer to 4G and the result was less than ideal.

“Since 3G was shut off I have very little to no service.

"Stationary telemetry is not functioning as well and mobile phone boosters appear now to have no signal to boost,” they said.

“I don’t expect perfect reception, but it is that bad that I have had to recently go to Starlink for a mobile platform.

"Harvest communication was hopeless, going back to the house to get satellite coverage via Starlink was the only way.

"With three new 4G boosters, an upgrade to 4G on the irrigation pump telemetry which cost $4,500 and an ozforecast upgrade to 4G, it’s all been a waste of money.”

Ms Chester said she wasn’t surprised to hear of the many complaints across the western plains region.

 “This situation is happening all across the west, I’ve been speaking to people across the region, most recently residents from Cobar, Bourke, and Tibooburra.

"Next, I’ll be in touch with people around Menindee to find out the experiences there.”

Conversations between NSW Farmers and the NSW CWA around difficulties accessing reliable connectivity with the 4G network will see a joint effort to advocate for the regions, Ms Chester said.

“The CWA are an important advocacy group,” she said.

“They represent the country regions and have been vocal about this 4G issue as well.

"They have been contacted by many people, just as we have.

"Together, we will move forward for our members and advocate for a better result for regional people."

In a document released earlier this year, Telstra stated that, “In areas that currently only have a 3G signal, we’re committed to providing 4G coverage prior to the closure of the 3G network.”

On October 28, Optus released this message, “There are huge benefits to switching off this old technology for our 4G and 5G networks.

Customers will have a better experience on our network once the switch off has occurred.”

For many across the Western Plains, this has not been the case.

The ACCC recommends that if you have a problem with any aspect of your mobile phone service, you should contact your mobile phone provider first.

If you cannot resolve a problem with your provider, make a complaint through the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman website or phone 1800 062 058.