Twenty years after 3G was first introduced in the United States, the network is officially being phased out, paving the way for a new generation of mobile apps.
AT&T is set to pull the plug on its 3G network on Tuesday, with other major US carriers expected to follow suit later this year. The move affects everything from older phones to home alarm systems and roadside assistance systems.
To move its mobile customers to 4G without service interruption, AT&T (T), which owns CNN's parent company, is offering many users free replacement phones with 3G devices. It is also trying to alert the customers to the network changes through various methods.
AT&T said in a statement to CNN Business, "For nearly two years, we've worked on February 22nd 3rd to help customers transition to the next generation network through direct mail, bill messaging, email, and text messages." Sent several communications before the end of the G services."
AT&T is shutting down its 3G network as part of a larger effort to reuse spectrum for 4G and 5G -- new standards that are more efficient than 3G. T-Mobile (TMUS) will do the same in the third quarter, and Verizon (VZ) will do so by the end of the year.
Here's what you should know about 3G shutdown.
Which products will be affected?
The shutdown will still affect people using 3G Kindle, 3G flip phone, iPhone 5 and older models as well as various Android phones. It will also affect medical equipment such as home alarm systems and fall detectors. Some in-car crash notifications and roadside assistance systems like OnStar will also need to be updated or replaced.
If you're not sure which network your phone is on, open Settings, tap Network & Internet, and then select a mobile network on Android devices. On iOS, choose Settings, Cellular, and then select the Cellular Data option. AT&T also has a dedicated webpage for determining if your device will be affected by the shutdown.
It can be hard to tell with other everyday products. If you are not sure whether the device is 3G dependent or not, you can call the manufacturer or the car dealer.
What can I do about it?
For those who don't want to get rid of their 3G mobile devices, there are a few solutions. In theory, it would be possible to access a web browser via Wi-Fi or make calls wirelessly on a 3G phone if the user has an app with voice-over-internet protocol enabled, such as Facebook Messenger. Similarly, people with 3G e-readers will still be able to download new books to the device via Wi-Fi.
Other 3G products may be more complex. My Alarm Center, a home security system business, warns customers that some alarm systems will need to be replaced by a technician to avoid potential disruptions. "Even if your alarm appears to be working, it will not communicate with our central service station to inform us that emergency services are needed," the company states on its website.
General Motors (GM), which owns OnStar, in October began rolling out over-the-air updates for vehicles released through 2015, including models from Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac, which were in transition. may be affected. As a general rule, most cars manufactured in the last five years with connectivity are using 4G modems. If the car runs on 3G, the manufacturer may offer an upgrade program or the wireless carrier may provide an adapter with a modem that can be plugged into the vehicle.
Why is this happening?
The 3G network launched in 2002 and became the driving force behind the initial App Store boom at the end of that decade. Wireless companies later moved to 4G and more recently to 5G networks.
Last month, AT&T and Verizon rolled out C-band 5G networks, a crucial set of high radio frequencies that will supercharge the Internet. The change will allow users, for example, to stream Netflix movies in 4K resolution or download movies in seconds. (Verizon said its C-band speeds reach about 1 gigabyte per second, which is about 10 times faster than 4G LTE.)
Only a small proportion of wireless customers are still using 3G networks. Verizon said in a blog post that 99% of its customers have already upgraded to 4G LTE or 5G, and AT&T said that less than 1% of its mobile data traffic runs on 3G networks. T-Mobile did not respond to a request for comment about its 3G user base.