3G is one of the key technologies that ushered in the smartphone era, and it seems its reign has finally ended in the US.
The first 3G phones began to appear in the early 2000s, but in the US this network really established itself with the advent of smartphones. When people started buying things like the iPhone 3G or the HTC Dream (aka T-Mobile G1), the benefits of a fast (at the time) Internet connection became obvious. Browsing the web on the go was no longer a privilege reserved for individuals in certain specialties, but became something that anyone could do on a daily basis.
While 3G will be around for many years in other countries, the technology is considered obsolete — even though the equipment still works and provides communications. One of the reasons why operators are decommissioning these networks is to free up frequencies for new technologies. T-Mobile 5G, for example, uses spectrum that was once part of the company’s 3G network.
In December, Verizon began disconnecting customers from its 3G network, causing their phones to lose the ability to transfer data, make calls and send text messages. It was the last major U.S. carrier to shut down 3G — AT&T shut down service in February and T-Mobile began winding down its legacy networks a month later.
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The disconnection of customers with 3G devices was reported back in 2019, and then the deadlines were pushed to December 31, 2022. The company sent new phones with LTE support to all users, as well as letters with explanations. According to Fierce Wireless, Verizon notified customers with 3G devices that their lines would be terminated a day before the start of the December billing cycle. However, they will still be able to use the technology to contact Verizon customer service or call 911 until the day before the start of the February billing cycle.
Source: The Verge
