This guy had a good take on it all

https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/australias-3g-shutdown-telcos-to-block-working-4g-5g-phones-2bf41e95de8a

The end result is that basically if you want to get a handset you know will work, the average consumer’s only real choice is to buy from the network. At their prices. Funny how things work out.

If I had to choose between this or a phev Ranger, it’s this every time.