In with the new out with the old. That’s the attitude of phone carriers as they plan to decommission their 3G networks to free up space for novel 5G frequencies. While many applaud the move away from 3G, a service first adopted in 2002, there is a concern for the elderly who may still operate with 3G and will now not be able to contact 911. Carriers claim to be alerting users. Customers will have the option to replace their phones at low or no cost. However, it won’t just be phones that will become essentially obsolete.
In their announcement, carriers cited e-readers, medical devices, smartwatches, alarm systems, and tablets as possibly losing connectivity. If you have an older device that relies on a cell network it is recommended you reach out to the carrier to make sure it will still work in the coming months. T-Mobile has reported that Sprint’s 3G network will no longer be active come Jan. 1, 2022, and their own 2G and 3G networks April 2022. Verizon followed suit with a later date of Dec. 31, 2022, and AT&T set its shut down for February 2022.
The circle of life for network carriers has once again shown its hand. Similar to when carriers shut down 2G services when upgrading to 4G, the capital gained in infrastructure space and mobile efficiency by supporting new networks is too much a benefit. To meet consumer expectations, mobile networks retain the right to cease services after a prolonged period. This means no calls, no internet use, and even the inability to access certain apps. The same will likely occur with 4G networks in the next 10-15 years as its infrastructure launched over a decade ago. In fact, it’s already begun as 4G phones that don’t support VoLTE will also be facing the noose.
In defiance of the new policy, the UK appears poised to continue to operate its 2G network. Likely due to their reliance on the network within systems like electric meters which the non-use of would be a waste of billions. However, the rest of the world is moving on and some won’t be happy. Vehicles and other commodities like select hot spots and security cameras can be reliant on 3G, thus the move may be coming sooner than some consumers can handle. 2025 is the finish line for the closure of 3G networks as well as the termination of 2G networks in the UK. Let’s hope they introduce the next generation of their meters by then… or not.
