3G is Going Away – What it Means for You

(StatePoint) Similar to how the ways we listen to music and watch movies have changed, cellular networks are evolving too. In fact, all major wireless providers plan to shutter their 3G cellular networks this year.

3G networks are the wireless equivalent of being on dial-up internet access years ago. Built in the early 2000s, 3G networks are slower, less efficient, and not equipped to support the way we use smartphones today. Americans increasingly depend on their ability to connect to the internet for just about everything and the latest generation of wireless, 5G, is capable of delivering massively faster speeds, enabling and improving everything we rely on our smartphones to do.

As wireless companies continue to invest in building out their 5G networks, 3G networks will be shut down to make room for this new technology and, ultimately, deliver a vastly superior wireless experience. That’s because there’s a limited supply of available spectrum -- the airwaves that wireless signals use. Wireless companies can take the airwaves once used for 3G and start using them to add more bandwidth to 5G. And more spectrum means better coverage and faster speeds for consumers.

If you have a phone that still relies on 3G, your wireless provider will contact you before their planned shutdown, and you’re most likely eligible for a free device upgrade.

Even if your phone isn’t from the 3G era, if you aren’t yet one of the millions who’ve upgraded to 5G, the end of 3G means it’s time to trade up for a new device that can take full advantage of faster 5G networks, according to industry experts. Keeping affordability and connectivity in mind, wireless providers are always offering deals.

Research 5G coverage and speeds from the providers where you live and like to travel. The wireless industry has changed significantly since the 3G era, so you may be surprised to learn which network is delivering the fastest and most reliable coverage today. T-Mobile was the first wireless provider in the United States to launch nationwide 5G and, thanks to its merger with Sprint in 2020, it now has the largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network, covering nearly everyone in the country.

It’s also a good time to take a look at your phone plan, especially if you’re on a limited data plan and want to stream music and videos – or just stop hunting for Wi-Fi.

Along with great coverage, find a plan with built-in benefits, such as free international data roaming, gas savings, and discounts on everyday items to make the most out of your mobile phone.

For more information on the future of 5G, visit t-mobile.com/5G.

Connectivity is more essential today than ever, underscoring the importance of the evolution to 5G. From entertainment and gaming to education, the latest wireless technology can connect you to everything that matters, faster than ever before.

PHOTO SOURCE: © Violka08 / iStock via Getty Images Plus

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 403, exiting

More Personal Technology Information:

Related Articles

USB Drives - What to Look For in a USB Device
Those small USB drives have so many names, pocket drives, thumb drives, USB Pen, Jump drives, and several other names, but when it comes down to it, we are all talking about a small portable, reusable storage media that fits in the palm of your hand!There are a couple major factors you should consider when you select a USB drive. The size of the storage media you require, and the size and shape of the device itself.
How to Place Home Theater Speakers
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just bought your new speakers and subwoofer and are ready to test things out. It's time to break out the measuring tape because precision is vital to achieving the full potential of your home theater system.
5 Ways to Speed Up Your PC
No matter how fast your processor and regardless of howmuch ram you carry, there comes a time when you realizeyour computer just doesn't run as fast as it did when youbought it.Windows loads slower, programs take longer to launch,and, in general, your computer drags like it just cameoff a 2-night drinking binge.
Choosing a Portable MP3 Player: Part 1
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of makes and models in this market is growing daily, with features and capabilities intended to appeal to just about anyone shopping for one of these devices.MP3 players have been around much longer than the Apple iPod , but there is no arguing that this one device opened the market to a much larger customer base.
CCNA 640-801 Certification Primer
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for career enhancement as well as gaining knowledge of the LAN/WAN technologies currently available for implementation. Hence, CCNA Certification can be obtained by IT professionals who have been a part of the industry for a considerable time and are interested in furthering their career in terms of role enhancement and salary.
A Tale of Two Regeds
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to 'regedit' to access the registry from the command line (Start > Run). I question the use of 'regedt32,' but he says to do it anyway.
How to Save an Image in a SQL Server Database?
Most of the web applications have a lot of images used in it. These images are usually stored in a web server folder and they are accessed by giving the relative path to the file with respect to the root folder of the website.
Consumer Electronic Information: The Basics of the DLP Projector
Projectors have come a long way in the past few decades. The desktop fossils that were once used to show home moviesor classroom filmstrips are a thing of the past.
Password Nightmares
Good Morning Mr. Sampson.
A Peek Into the Near Future of Electronics Technology
How long do you think DVDs have around? 20 years? 10 years? Actually, they have only been around for about seven years, but it seems like they have been around much longer. Many of us can hardly remember life before DVDs.
Looking For an MP3 Player?
If you don't have an mp3 player, and even if you do, you should check out all the new stuff that's going on. I'm hoping this article will give you some idea of what kind of mp3 player you want and some tips on what to look for in an mp3 player.
Temporary Fixes to Spyware, Ad-ware, and Virus Infections
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your system. For whatever reason, you are unable to get ahold of a virus detection & removal program, or a good ad-ware scanner.
Cisco Certification: A Survival Guide To The Cisco Cable Jungle
One of the most confusing parts of beginning your Cisco studies is keeping all the cable types separate in your mind, and then remembering what they're used for. This often occurs when a CCNA or CCNP candidate starts putting together their own home practice lab, and they suddenly realize that they have the equipment to run labs, but not the cables.
Your Affiliate Business - Peripherals, Software, Computers
I have always been interested in computers, but in the beginning, I would not venture any further than to the software end of learning. However, learning only the software side, and knowing nothing about the hardware side, can open you up to some costly times at the shop.
How To Increase Computer Speed And Performance - Great Tips & Tricks
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After spending lot of bucks, still they cannot have that charm of using PC as they had expected.
How To Safeguard Your Computer?
The following practice, if done regularly, may help you to safeguard your computer to some extent.1.
HTML Explained: Part 1
Want to save money while promoting your web-based business? Of course you do. Here's some advice on the matter, from a freelance copywriter who knows: it pays to learn the basics of HTML.
Your Computer Cant Keep Time
A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate; for example, the date and time, the amount of memory installed, the number of drives and their configuration, and so on. In the early days of computers, either the user typed in this information each time the computer started, or it was set using DIP switches and jumpers.
JVCs First Three-Layer Combo-Disc Blu-Ray / DVD
JVC developed and used a high-performance reflective film to produce this revolutionary three layer structure. The outer Blu-ray layer can be read by the blue light laser but it is transparent for the red light laser which therefore has access to the inner dual DVD layer.
An All Too Familar Pain
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world more and more people are turning to those handy gadgets and mobile products that can be taken with them anywhere they go. The more things consumers own, the more they're prone to lose them.