While it is not exactly clear what will happen to your IoT connections just yet, such as the weather news in your BMW, those who have oldie 3G phones will see them stop working when T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T shut their 3G networks down. As for 2G networks, those take much less spectrum to service, and a bunch of gear still uses them, so some carriers are being more generous with their retirement.
Here are the 2G/3G (and even 4G LTE in the case of Sprint) network shutdown dates as customers will be moved to T-Mobile connections on the runup to the complete Sprint network sunset.
Will my 3G phone stop working when T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T shut down their 3G networks?
Unfortunately, yes, for the most part. "When we shut down the 3G network, there won't be data or voice service for devices that don't have at least have 4G capabilities. This means that while some device features might still work, you won't be able to access our network unless you upgrade to a newer device," says AT&T, and that is valid for all 3G phones on all carriers when their respective networks are sunset.
AT&T 3G network shutdown date and free phone replacement
- AT&T 3G network sunset: February 22, 2022
- Free phone: AT&T RADIANT Core
AT&T announced February 22, 2022 as its 3G network shutdown date, and warns that the carrier would "no longer activate phones that don't support HD Voice since they won't be compatible to work on our network when 3G shuts down." Same as with Verizon's 3G network shutdown, basically.
As for the all-important question about that AT&T 3G network shutdown free phone replacement that Ma Bell has been offering to subscribers to soothe their sunset pain, it's not really worth it. Also, you may want to have a look at AT&T's list of phones that will and won't work after the 3G network shutdown, as not all Galaxy S20 models are created equal, apparently. The Galaxy S22 series of phones, however, would do just fine.Granted, the free phone that AT&T offers will be able to hook you up to its modern network but don't expect wonders from a handset called AT&T RADIANT Core that has been a prepaid offer since 2019 and has a 5MP rear camera.
T-Mobile and Sprint 3G/2G/4G LTE network shutdown dates
- Sprint 2G/3G CDMA network shutdown date: April 1, 2022 (formerly January 1, 2022)
- Sprint 4G LTE network sunset date: June 30, 2022
- T-Mobile 3G network shutdown date: April 1, 2022 (formerly October 1st, 2021)
- T-Mobile 2G network shutdown date: January 1, 2023
Verizon 3G network shutdown date
- Verizon 3G network sunset: January 1, 2023
After December 31st, 2022, says Verizon, if you are a Big Red customer still using a device that is 3G (CDMA) or 4G that does not support HD Voice (Non-VoLTE), the device will no longer make/receive calls, send/receive text messages, or use data services. Until this date, your device will still be able to use these services.
Verizon's 2G network is already sunset but don't worry about its 4G LTE network as this will be around together with Verizon's 5G coverage years to come, so no need to switch to 5G phones just yet, unless you want some of the perks that come with those, like all the bells and whistles of the Galaxy S22 series of handsets. View Full BioDaniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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