Farewell to 3G

[Elderberry]

The Verge By Mitchell Clark 12/31/2022

Verizon’s in the process of kicking the remaining customers off its old network — the last one in the US.

It’s well and truly curtains for 3G, one of the key technologies that helped usher in the age of the smartphone. Throughout December, Verizon has been disconnecting its customers who were still using the tech, cutting off their phones’ ability to use data, make calls, and send texts. It was the last major US carrier to do so — AT&T turned off its 3G service in February, and T-Mobile started winding its old networks down the month after.

Verizon customers with 3G devices have had plenty of warning. It previously said the network would be going offline in 2019, but with one delay after another, the date has slowly been pushed back to December 31st, 2022. In the meantime, it’s sent people new, LTE-capable phones, as well as letters explaining exactly what’s going to happen. Verizon has told customers with 3G devices that their lines will be suspended starting the day before their December billing cycle begins, according to Fierce Wireless.

Even after that, until the day before their February billing cycle, they’ll still be able to use the phones for two things: calling 911 and Verizon customer service.

While 3G will still exist in other countries for quite a few more years, Verizon’s deadline is pretty much the end of the line for it here in the US. The tech hasn’t gone gentle into that good night; carriers delayed their shutdowns several times, there were tiffs between Dish and T-Mobile, and you can’t just turn a network that had been around for years off without things starting to break.

More: https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/31/23490721/3g-sunset-verizon-history-december-2022

[catfish1957]

Same sh__ as after the 2G.

These phaseouts are hassles for me and my spouse, and being old, thick thumbed...we prefer simple flip phones for needs away from the house.   We don't text.  We have computers for computers, and cell phones for emergencies if we are away from the house.

It's now been four times (2x 2G, now 3G) in about the last 6 or 7 years where we have had to toss fine functioning phones for nothing.

[240B]

It's now been four times (2x 2G, now 3G) in about the last 6 or 7 years where we have had to toss fine functioning phones for nothing.

That's the whole point. That's what it is all about.

[catfish1957]

That's the whole point. That's what it is all about.

That crossed my mind too.  Of course the Carrier provided the standard bullshit technological obsolescence speech.

[Sighlass]

I am still a ONE G....

"Gee" I still don't own a cell phone.... progress for me was actually getting a Window's 10 Desktop computer.

[catfish1957]

I am still a ONE G....

"Gee" I still don't own a cell phone.... progress for me was actually getting a Window's 10 Desktop computer.

That was my philosophy too, until I started noticing that there were no more pay phones out in the world for emergencies.

[Elderberry]

I was the last in our family to get a cell phone. Once my kids were into sports at school I had to get one to communicate with my kids. Before that I was stuck with a work pager and finding pay phones. I was basically on call 24/7 at JSC.

[Smokin Joe]

That's the whole point. That's what it is all about.

Yep. Verizon offered a "free" 'three star' phone for my late wife's account (she had had the same ruggedized flip phone for nearly 10 years), which would have only cost about $200, $170 of it 'refunded' over the next two years.
To me, that "free phone" came to about $200, just so I can keep sending them money.

Uh-uh.

My granddaughter wanted Grandma's old number (we raised her), so I bought her a decent Straight Talk phone, a 6 month card, she took the number, and she's set for six months for a fraction of what Verizon would have charged. Merry Christmas! (And my cell phone bill has gone down...)