Although major network operators are vigorously promoting the commercialization of 5G networks, the promotion is not as fast and easy as they thought. In addition to the COVID-19 epidemic, wireless operators’ plans to retire old networks to free up resources have also encountered resistance and delays. Operator T-Mobile has finally determined the closing time of the 3G network, which also includes Sprint’s 3G and LTE networks.
After many adjustments, T-Mobile finally finalized the time to close the 3G network. On the latest Network Evolution page, it is shown that its 3G UMTS network will be closed on July 1, 2022. This gives customers and partners enough time to prepare and upgrade to a supported 4G/5G network.
T-Mobile is also preparing for the retirement date of the Sprint network. Sprint’s 3G will be retired on January 1, 2022, and its 4G LTE network will cease operations on June 30, 2022. The latter is part of T-Mobile’s strategy to transfer everyone to a T-Mobile network. The affected Sprint customers only need to replace their Sprint SIM cards with T-Mobile’s.
T-Mobile has promised to support customers and partners during the transition period, but it has not publicly promised how to support it. It may follow AT&T’s amazing move by offering free 4G phones to users who will be affected by the shutdown of its 3G network. It may not be that difficult to replace 3G phones with compatible models, but owners and operators of IoT devices may need to do more to migrate to a system that is more suitable for the future.
