Carriers Killing Off Some Cell Service

Above, The Beast between Wolf Creek Pass and Pagosa Springs in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to own an older model cell phone, it is probably a 3G model. 

It has been reliable for you at home or while on the road. But all that is going to change in the months ahead when cell carriers kill off many features as they switch to 5G.

RV Travel reported:

As the quest for faster and faster cellular-based services continues, some changes may affect you. The three major wireless carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, are shutting down certain cell service features some have counted on for years. Are you—or someone you know—going to be affected?

Blame it on 5G

The switch to 5G networks is on the top of the list for carriers. To free up bandspace, older generation 3G is being turned off. For some, the 3G cellular shutdown may come as early as this month.

• AT&T is pulling the plug on its 3G network this month. 

• T-Mobile users will see an end to 3G cell service in phases. Equipment issued originally by Sprint will stop working March 31. T-Mobile originated 3G UMTS stuff will “stop talking” July 1. And T-Mobile supported Sprint LTE network equipment will croak on June 30. 

• Verizon says it’s 3G CDMA network will “decommission” no later than December 31, 2022. While the “Can you hear me now” folks have said they were going to pull the plug on their 3G network cell service on two earlier dates—then recanted—they say they’re sticking to this deadline.

To read more, go here.