Published May 9, 2024 at 2:49 pm /©Compilation: Canva Pro
Find out the most important details.
Find out the most important details.
Mobile phone providers will turn off the 3G network by the end of 2024. The freed frequencies will be used for 4G and 5G networks. Find out what this means for you and what steps you should take to prepare.
from Nadia Alina Gressel
2 minutes reading time(374 words)
Since 1 January 2024, the third generation (3G) network in Austria has been phased out. Inform us. The shutdown has been carried out since the beginning of the year by the three major mobile operators A1, Drei and Magenta, whose main focus is on expanding 4G and 5G networks. Although turning off 3G is especially important for older devices, we've summarized the most important questions for you.
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Why was the 3G network stopped?
3G technology comes at a time when smartphones were just emerging and mobile Internet was still in its infancy. With speeds of 10 to 15 Mbit/s, 3G was revolutionary at the time, but it's no longer current. Today, most people use their mobile devices for browsing, streaming, gaming, and chatting, which requires higher capacity. The 3G network shutdown is part of a global trend. The freed frequencies will be used for modern, more efficient 4G and 5G technologies. This allows mobile phone providers to provide more capacity. In addition, higher security standards have been established in 4G and 5G networks.
When will the 3G network be shut down?
The 3G network shutdown will be gradual and will vary from region to region. high Johannes Deutsch and Christian Wolff, the mobile communications experts at A1, the western half of Austria has already largely switched to 4G and 5G. The final shutdown of the 3G network is scheduled to take place at the end of 2024. The two provide the information in a YouTube video from A1.
Who is affected?
Most mobile phone users will not notice the shutdown because they are already using devices that support at least 4G network. People with very old devices or old SIM cards that only work with 3G are particularly affected. This mainly affects older phones or smartphones that are more than 10 years old. If you belong to this group, you should check your hardware and SIM card and replace it if necessary.
What should you do?
If you have an old cell phone or an old SIM card, there are simple solutions. Replace your SIM card with a newer version. It is also recommended to switch to newer 4G and 5G devices. This ensures that you will still be able to make phone calls and use mobile internet without any problems in the future. Do you need more information? Watch the video from mobile experts:
Questions and answers about the 3G network:
When does UMTS/3G expire?
Mobile network operators are gradually turning off UMTS/3G from region to region. By the end of 2024, UMTS/3G will no longer be available in all areas. (Source: Mobile Communications Forum)
Can you still make calls and send texts using an old cell phone or smartphone?
Yes, because you need a GSM/2G connection to make calls and send texts. The GSM/2G network will remain on the air in the future.
Who is affected by the UMTS/3G shutdown?
In fact, only a small number of users are affected by the shutdown: anyone whose smartphone is more than about 10 years old. However, these smartphones are only functional on a limited scale today because the most popular apps like WhatsApp are no longer supported on these devices. Users of “push-button mobile phones” are not affected as these devices usually only work with GSM/2G and the GSM/2G network remains on.
Why is the UMTS/3G network turned off?
With an operational life of up to 20 years, the UMTS/3G network is no longer up to date in terms of data speed and power consumption. With decommissioning, the freed-up frequency bands can now be used more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Should you buy a new cell phone or smartphone now?
It depends on the following: Anyone who uses an old push-button cell phone and is happy with it can and should continue to use the device – the GSM/2G network required for this will also work in the future. However, anyone with a very old smartphone will notice that some apps no longer work. If you want to use the apps in the future, you should switch to a new smartphone. All mobile network operators offer top-tier smartphones with reasonable tariffs.
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