Moose2 Loc: North Carolina

Supposedly on 1/1/2022, the 3G network will change to 5G. Some cell phones will work but will not use any of the 5G network features, whatever they are. Best to check with your cell phone provider to see what, if any, this change will affect you.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Not sure of the date but I don't think it is 1/1/2022.

There are a lot of problems with the changeover and many interested parties have asked for a further delay. One problem with 5G is range, which is significantly less than 3G. Another problem is that there are a lot of areas that have no 5G infrastructure installed at this time. Another problem is that emergency services are not all 5G compatible.

I live in a suburban area which just barely gets a 3G signal some of the time. If 3G goes away, my area has no 5G to replace it. This constitutes a public safety problem. One problem is the number of customers served. The cell companies have no incentive to install 5G for a sparsely populated area since the reduced range will require more transceiver/antenna systems to cover it and the expense is not justifiable (without rate increases).

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

I think the changeover is decided by the individual carrier and not an overall change.
Cricket is not set to end 3g until February

stu352 Loc: MA/RI Border

The AT&T 3G cutoff date is Feb 2022. I know because my company has a lot of 3G products in the field, that are being replaced.

wakeupnfly Loc: wyandotte, Mi

Studies are on going on the effects of 5G on aircraft radio altimeters on the 5G "C" band. Let's see what happens with those studies before carpeting the nation with it.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

PS: 4G phones will still work

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/tech/verizon-3g-shutdown-paused/index.html

'Verizon's decision to delay its 3G shutdown probably has less to do with mobile phone customers still using the network — which are likely few in number — and more to do with "internet of things" devices, such as smart utility meters and home burglar alarms that are still connected to 3G and require more time and money to swap out, said Bill Menezes, director analyst at tech research firm Gartner.'

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Verizon forced me to get rid of my 3g Apple 5s cell phone last year as they told me they were discontinuing 3g service 1/1/2021. I now have an I phone Apple 12 5g service
My home alarm system forced me to upgrade to 5 g this year for 400$ since their providers were discontinuing 3g service on 1/1/2022.
Everyone in our area must convert now or lose service