FCC Warns Users to Plan Ahead for 3G Phase Out

 By J. Sharpe Smith Inside Towers Technology Editor There’s not a lot of talk about the third generation of cellular technology these days, what with 5G being all the rage. After all, 3G technology has passed two decades of use, which is pretty old for a wireless protocol. But there are still plenty of devices out there using 3G.

3G, which was launched by NTT DoCoMo in 2001, has reached the end of its life, and mobile carriers are shutting down their networks to make room for more advanced network services, such as 5G. As a result, the FCC is raising awareness among users that their devices pretty soon will not be worth the silicon from which they are made.

“Contact your mobile provider or consult your provider’s website for more information about their 3G retirement plan and whether your phone, or other connected device, may be affected,” the Commission said on its site. “It is important to plan now so that you don’t lose connectivity, including the ability to call 911.” Continue Reading