Mobile Phone Companies Plan to End 3G Service in 2022 [telecom]

[Bill Horne]

Up to 10 million will need new devices as carriers look to reuse that part of the airwaves

by Edward C. Baig, AARP, October 25, 2021

Most every mobile service provider pitch you come across nowadays
screams 5G, shorthand for the fifth generation of wireless rolling out
across the country.

While you can't blame the carriers for wanting to usher in the
next era in wireless, millions of people, including many older adults,
still rely on phones and other devices that tap into 3G, the
third-generation networks that debuted in 2002. The 4G networks that
came after have been around more than a decade.

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2021/phone-companies-ending-3g-service.html

***** Moderator's Note *****

Full disclosure: I am a member of AARP.

Bill Horne
Moderator

[Michael Trew]

On 11/15/2021 11:12, Bill Horne wrote:
> Up to 10 million will need new devices as carriers look to reuse that part of the airwaves
>

> While you can't blame the carriers for wanting to usher in the
> next era in wireless, millions of people, including many older adults,
> still rely on phones and other devices that tap into 3G, the
> third-generation networks that debuted in 2002. The 4G networks that
> came after have been around more than a decade.

Interestingly enough, some companies such as T-Mobile will keep their 2G
network active longer; presumably due to all of the legacy IoT devices
that still run on 2G.

"We've also shared that we plan to retire T-Mobile's older GSM 2G
network as well, but no date has been set. We will update this page with
any additional information in the future."

https://www.t-mobile.com/support/coverage/t-mobile-network-evolution

Note: Even once 3G is shut down in July, the 3G devices are
backwards-compatible with the 2G network, and 3G T-Mobile devices
should continue to work... albeit at a FAR slower data speed; possibly
for only talk/text.

I have tested my old Nokia 3390 mobile phone from 2001 with an active
T-Mobile SIM card, and it still can make/receive 2G calls and text messages.