The era of 3G, a technology that played a significant role in the rise of smartphones, has come to an end. Until a few years ago, most people relied on it as it was 30 times faster than 2G. However, the introduction of 5G marked the move from older cellular connections to free up the spectrum and infrastructure. 5G promises to be a reliable network, providing speeds of up to 20 times faster than 4G. Most cellular companies in the US, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, have already phased out their 3G service to support the rollout of 5G and encourage customers to upgrade to compatible devices.
This article will give an overview of the discontinuation of the 3G network in the US, including its potential effects on phones and the current status of the shutdown process. It will also provide insight into what may be expected in the future as the transition to 5G continues.
Verizon’s 3G CDMA Network Shutdown
In 2016, Verizon announced its plans to decommission its 3G CDMA network, following the lead of other carriers who had already shut down their service. Initially, the telecom company intended to close its 3G network in 2019, but later extended its operation until the end of December 2022 to minimize disruptions for customers as they transitioned to newer service plans.
According to Fierce Wireless, Verizon informed its customers that “Starting the day before your December 2022 bill cycle begins, if you are a Verizon customer using a 3G CDMA or 4G phone device that does not support our newer network technologies, your line will be suspended without billing and will lose the ability to call, text, or use data.” The letter also stated that Verizon users will be able to call 911 and its customer support before the day of their February 2023 payment cycle.
As of 2023, Verizon only offers 4G LTE and 5G service to its customers. These newer networks offer excellent coverage and give the communications company an advantage over other carriers in the US in terms of the quality and reliability of its services.
AT&T 3G Network Shutdown
On February 22nd, 2022, AT&T announced that it will discontinue its 3G network service in the US. As a result, most phones that do not support at least 4G LTE and HD Voice will no longer receive signals. To assist customers in understanding which devices will continue receiving service after the 3G reception is disabled, AT&T has compiled a list of compatible phones. If your smartphone is not on the list, you may want to consider upgrading. For instance, the Galaxy S20 models G981U and G981U1 will still function on the AT&T network, but the models G981F, G981N, and G9810 will not. It is important to check the compatibility of your device to ensure that you will continue to have access to a reliable mobile connection after the 3G signals are disabled.
There are many benefits to upgrading your phone beyond just ensuring that it will continue to work after the 3G network is shut down. With an upgrade, you can access the features like a better camera, longer battery life, higher screen resolution, and faster processing speed. Depending on the device, you may also be able to take advantage of new AT&T network capabilities, such as 5G service in eligible areas.
T-Mobile and Sprint 3G Network Shutdown
In April 2022, T-Mobile and Sprint merged to create a powerful 5G network. Around almost the same time on March 31st, 2022, Sprint announced that it would be decommissioning its 3G CDMA network. Customers who have not updated their smartphones to support newer technologies will no longer be able to make local and emergency calls. T-Mobile and Sprint consumers with 3G CDMA cellphones will be eligible to receive 4G/5G service from T-Mobile at the same or lower cost and can upgrade to a new device for free. This is an opportunity for customers to take advantage of the latest technology and make sure that their phones will continue to work properly on the network.
Sprint’s LTE network was decommissioned on June 30th, 2022. However, devices that were previously compatible with Sprint’s LTE and 5G service can continue to operate on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G signals. In order to keep receiving receptions on these gadgets, customers will need to replace their Sprint SIM card with a T-Mobile SIM card and ensure that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is enabled in their phone settings for voice calls. This service is only available on certain devices — those that are not compatible with T-Mobile’s 4G or 5G networks will need to be upgraded to continue to have cellular reception.
Conclusion
The 3G network, which was once a key technology for connecting to the Internet and powering smartphones, is coming to an end in the United States. As cellular companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile roll out their 5G networks, they are gradually phasing out 3G services. This change will affect users with older devices that do not support newer technologies like 4G and 5G. If you are currently using a 3G cellphone, it is important to upgrade to a newer device to ensure that you will continue to have access to reliable mobile service.
