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Are you wondering why Verizon choose to keep it is 3G operational alongside its 4G and 5G? As announced by Kevin King, Verizon spokesperson in 2021, the operator decide to keep the 3G network operational.
The spokesperson revealed to Light Reading that they donโt have plans of shutting down the 3G network as of January 2021. He also revealed that they will work closely with the customers to introduce them to newer technologies.
According to sources, Verizon has been implementing steps to shut down the 3G network since 2012 when they deployed their 4G LTE. They later announces their plans to shut down the 3G by 2019 which never happened. The carrier chooses to push the process to 2020.
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Why Verizon indefinitely delays 3G?
Although the reasons for delaying the shutting down of Verizon 3G havenโt been openly revealed, itโs obvious that the majority of their customers havenโt migrated to the newest technologies. Since 2018, the carrier hasnโt activated 3G phones in the move to encourage customers to move to 4G LTE.
The carrier has not revealed officially how many subscribers are still using a 3G network. However, given that they have delayed the deactivation of 3G, this figure is significantly high. According to its spokesperson, Verizon actively encourages its 3G customers to embrace the 4G LTE network and migrate swiftly.
Though, in March 2021, Verizon announced that only 1% of its customers were still using the 3G networks. They, therefore, encouraged customers that need help to migrate to reach out to customer support at 800922-0204.
Another reason why Verizon delayed shutting down the 3G network is because of the increased number of rural customers that still depended on the 3G network.
In 2021, the Rural Wireless Association asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay 3G shutdowns. Besides this, the Alarm Industry Communications Committee also demanded the extension with hopes that industries can transition swiftly and adopt new networks for safety and monitoring.
Has Verizon shut down 3G yet?
Itโs roughly 3 years since Verizon announced its intentions to migrate 100% of its customers to newer technology. As we have already revealed, the process of shutting down Verizon 3G has been delayed for years to allow customers ample time to transition.
Verizon has however wrapped up 3G sunsets for US customers in the final days of 2023. Despite being one of the first carriers to announce its intentions to shut down the 3G network, AT&T and T-Mobile US had already completed the 3G shutdowns. AT&T shut down its 3G network in February 2022 and in March 2022, T-Mobile shut down its 3G CDMA network.
FAQs
Which phones were affected by the 3G shutdowns?
All the devices with a 3G cellular connection were affected by the 3G shutdown. The devices with the Sprint 4G LTE connection were also affected.
Is 3G completely gone?
Yes, the majority of US carriers finalized the process of shutting down the 3G satellites and networks in 2022. AT&T was among the first movers and shut down its 3G network in Feb 2022. Verizon equally shut down its 3G network in the final days of 2022.
What carriers still support 3G?
The 3G network was rolled out in 2001 but major carriers in the US have already shut it down. At the end days of the year 2022, almost all carriers in the US had already shut down their 3G network.
Besides the fact that Verizon announced the shutting down of its 3G network in 2019, there are several reasons why the process was delayed. First being the delays in customer transition and the second intervention from related committees and FCC. Finally, Verizon shut down the 3G network in December 2022.
