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. 

a t & T-Mobile

Consumers are wondering whether the acquisition (subject to government approval) of T-Mobile, by telecom giant A T & T will be good for them or bad.

I am a T-Mobile customer and have been since 2005. I like their service. I've a plan that suits me just fine and costs me under $60/month. Their customer service has always been cooperative and if, on extremely rare occasions, I had a beef on their billing, they resolved it to my satisfaction.

A T & T is my land line provider. I mainly use it for my computers and taking recorded statements in my work as a claims adjuster. I've a plan with them that also suits me just fine. I've had no problem with their customer service either.

According to ABC News.com:

While the two companies will have to work out some technical differences in their telecom marriage, analysts said that the combination of the two networks would likely provide a strong nationwide network.

"Merging the two networks means that you're going to have a nationwide 3G and 4G network that's really able to serve almost Americans," said Sascha Segan, lead analyst for mobile at PCMag.com. Rural T-Mobile residents could benefit from AT&T's network, and city-dwellers (yes, even those with iPhones) could get a boost from T-Mobile, he said.

But in a blog post written today, Consumer Reports' Paul Reynolds said the two carriers' data networks are "literally on different wavelengths, which might pose compatibility problems." The smartphones for the different carriers run on different parts of the wireless spectrum, he pointed out.

An AT&T-T-Mobile deal also likely means the end of T-Mobile's lower prices and friendly service, analysts said.

This makes me wonder: Will I have to buy a new phone? Will my rates jump for the same service plan? Will I be able to keep my service plan? Will I be forced to take features I have no interest in? Will there be hidden charges?

The jury is out on all of these. We'll just have to wait and see.