All of the major US 3G networks are scheduled to shut down in 2022. Whether you're with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, this may affect your phone, your home alarm system, or even your car.
Major cell phone companies will be shutting down their third generation or 3G networks in 2022, potentially making your cell phone useless. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Major cell phone companies will be shutting down their third generation or 3G networks in 2022, potentially making your cell phone useless.
AT&T announced that it phased out its 3G network beginning in February 2022. Verizon announced that it will finish shutting down its 3G network by December 31, 2022. T-Mobile announced that it finished shutting down Sprint's 3G CDMA network as of March 31, 2022 and Sprint's 4G LTE network as of June 30, 2022.
Which wireless networks shut down in 2022? Many legacy wireless networks operated by major US carriers shut down in 2022. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon sunsetted their legacy 3G networks, and T-Mobile has also shut down all support for Sprint 4G LTE devices.
Therefore, the thing to remember is that 4G will not be going away anytime soon, regardless of how fast the 5G network grows. The plan is for existing 4G LTE networks to be used by carriers well into 2030.
Other than that, if you're buying a 4G smartphone, definitely go ahead and get one. 4G phones are available across all budgets, the infrastructure is already there and, on the whole, 4G services are here to stay. Fun fact - 5G projections are projected to reach 500 million userbases by 2027.
4G is expected to last for at least another decade, and possibly longer with the help of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), which shares available spectrum between 4G LTE and 5G devices.
AT&T has said that all iPhones made prior to the iPhone 6 and some Galaxy models will no longer function after next week, while Verizon has said that the iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, Samsung Galaxy S4 and older models, and Apple's iPad 2 will not work after the deadline, as we previously reported.
Until iOS 16 was released in September 2022, a used iPhone 6S was still able to run the most recent Apple mobile operating system: iOS 15. It is the oldest iPhone to receive the iOS 15 update (the iPhone 6 is stuck on the last version of iOS 12).
As a result, many older phones will be unable to make or receive calls and text messages, or use data services. It can also affect other devices that rely on 3G, including medical alert devices, tablets, smart watches, home security systems, and car tracking systems. Those devices will ultimately become obsolete.
Samsung's reportedly cutting its phone production for 2022 - The Verge.
Wireless carriers will discontinue support of 3G devices in 2022. Older style 3G models of Tracfones, flip phones, Jitterbugs, etc. are going to start falling off networks sooner than later. 3G devices will not only be disabled from normal use – they will also be unable to dial or call 9-1-1.
Apple sold tens of millions of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models after their launch in 2015. The iPhone 6 is reportedly “safe until 2023,” but the iPhone 6 Plus isn't so lucky. This popular iPhone model won't stop working overnight — but that's not the real danger.
Tech giant Apple, which introduced the iPhone of 2022 in September, will soon be marking the iPhone 5c as an obsolete product by next month. Once marked as obsolete, Apple will stop providing certain repairs for the iPhone 5c and may depend on part availability.
Fastest 5G smartphones in the US
iPhone 14 Pro Max was the fastest 5G device in the US at a median download speed of 177.21 Mbps with the iPhone 14 Pro coming in second at 175.08.
It's bad news if your iPhone is older than the iPhone 8—Apple has ended support for the iPhone 7 and older, so you won't be able to upgrade your iPhone software to iOS 16.
But, it still receives iOS 15 security updates (as of 31 October, 2022). The last version of iOS to support iPhone 7 is iOS 15.7. 2 In June 2022, Apple announced that it will drop support for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with the release of iOS 16.
When will 4G be phased out? Shutdown of 4G networks are not expected for another decade at least. Of course, this all depends on the uptake of 5G connections and whether the technology can thrive without 4G altogether.
With its lower latency, greater network capacity and faster download speeds, 5G represents a massive improvement over the 4G network standard. But while major Aussie telcos have already started rolling out 5G mobile networks across the country, this new tech is still getting out of the starting blocks.
The 5G phones currently on the market are "backward compatible," meaning that they are capable of functioning on earlier-generation networks outside of 5G coverage areas. Will a 3G or 4G phone continue to work? 4G devices will continue to work.
T-Mobile and Sprint 3G/2G/4G LTE network shutdown dates
These are January 1, 2022 for Sprint's 3G network sunset, and June 30, 2022 for the 4G LTE connections, respectively.
While spending more money on a 5G phone or a 5G variant of the same device may seem like a good, future-proof idea, it will not be worth it if you don't have the coverage and budget for 5G plans. Note that while 5G data plans may be priced equal to 4G in the beginning, they can quickly climb up for the faster service.
A lot of older cellphones, including the IPhone 5, IPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4, as well as many of the flip phones, will become obsolete in 2022 as mobile providers make the switch to 5G networks.