Following the switch to the 5G network for a better internet experience, particularly in terms of speed, top cell phone service providers are phasing out 3G-compatible cellphones.
This necessary phase-out will also affect phones used solely for 911 calls, as well as some older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice). Beginning in 2022, this change will affect handsets such as the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, and Samsung Galaxy S4, as well as many flip phones.
According to a statement obtained by Washingtonpost from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States (US), the following mobile carriers will shut down their networks on phones on the following dates:
AT&T’s deadline is February 20, 2022.
Verizon’s deadline is December 31, 2022.
Sprint’s 3G CDMA network will be decommissioned by T-Mobile by March 31, 2022.
Sprint’s 4G LTE service will be available on June 30, 2022.
T-3G Mobile’s UMTS network will go live on July 1, 2022.
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Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk, and several Lifeline mobile service providers that use AT&T, Verizon, and T-networks Mobile’s may also be impacted.
As a result, the FCC has advised phone users to contact their mobile service provider for more information on their 3G retirement plan.
