Highlights:

  • Verizon was on the urge to shut down its 3G service over the past few years.
  • Verizon canceled its 2019 3G network sunset plan in 2018.
  • By keeping its 3G network active, the company will continue to have three generations of networks operational.
  • AT&T earlier publicized that its 3G network will remain online.
  • Verizon is actively working with customers to get them onto one of its more recent networks.

Verizon’s 3G network

Verizon’s 3G network will continue its development plans. Earlier, Verizon was on the urge to shut down the service over the past few years.

In a statement given to Light Reading, Kevin King, Director of Corporate Communications at Verizon, commented: “The company is keeping the older wireless network running with no exact timeline for when the company will shut down the service.”

King tells CNET, “Verizon is actively working with customers to get them onto one of its more recent networks. He adds that there are some contracts for the carrier’s connected devices that still need to be honored while Verizon is also making sure that those still with 3G phones are not left high-and-dry.”

King adds, “As soon as we are able to move people off, we will be able to decommission the network.”

Verizon canceled its 2019 3G network sunset plan in 2018, as it publicized that it would no longer be activating mobile phones that could only link up to 3G networks. In July 2019, Verizon told Light Reading that it would push off the discontinuation of the 3G network until the end of 2020.

Networking

By keeping its 3G network active, the company will continue to have three generations of networks operational, including 3G, 4G LTE, and its new 5G service. Though it is not clear how many phones or 3G connected devices such as ATMs are still using the 3G network, the figure appears to be large enough for Verizon to postpone the shutdown yet again.

Verizon is not the only carrier holding 3G around for a bit longer. AT&T earlier publicized that its 3G network will remain online until next February. In contrast, T-Mobile told Light Reading that it would turn off its 3G network over the next few years, though it did not provide a precise timeline.