Skip to content
  • A Microsoft Company
  • Support

Affirmed Networks

Powering the World Wide Wireless Web

MENUMENU
  • Solutions
        • NFV Solutions
          Go

          Affirmed Networks’ fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile solutions enable operators to handle more traffic, simplify network operations and rapidly create and launch new revenue-generating services. Our solutions are now an integral part of the Azure for Operators initiative, Microsoft’s strategy to meet operators wherever they are on the path towards transforming their networks and services to the cloud.

        • Affirmed Private Network Service

          A managed private network service for operators to monetize the enterprise opportunity.

        • Virtual Evolved Packet CoreTransform your network with the only fully virtualized, cloud-native solution.
        • Affirmed UnityCloud – 5G Core5G and webscale technology to drive the Telco digital transformation.
        • Affirmed Private Network ServiceA managed private network service for operators to monetize the enterprise opportunity.
        • UnityCloud OperationsSimplify operations of Any G network functions to accelerate 5G deployments and migrations.
        • Affirmed Cloud Edge – Mobile Edge ComputingA Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) solution for telecom operators
        • IoT Mobile Core SolutionsQuickly create, optimize and monetize a wide variety of IoT services.
        • Content & Security ServicesCreate customized policies with virtualized GiLAN and Security Services.
        • Virtual Probe & AnalyticsGather real-time network intelligence with an integrated virtual probe and analytics.
        • Network SlicingDeliver customized and differentiated services with network slicing.
        • Virtualized Wi-FiImprove network coverage with a virtualized Wi‑Fi featuring TWAG and ePDG.
        • Global Professional ServicesOur experts put MNOs on the fast track to virtualization and 5G services
  • Company
        • Company
          Go

          Now part of the Microsoft Azure for Operator initiative, Affirmed technology is helping the world’s most forward-thinking service providers in transforming their network architectures and businesses models.

        • About Affirmed Networks
        • Careers for Experienced Professionals
        • Student and Graduate Roles
  • Customers
  • Resources
  • News
        • News & Events
          Go

          This is an archive of Affirmed press releases and media coverage. Please visit the Azure Blog for the most recent updates on the Azure for Operators product portfolio.

        • Press Release
        • In the news
        • Upcoming Events
  • Blog
  • Contact

Home > 3G Riding into the Sunset

3G Riding into the Sunset

September 2, 2020

by Harsha Kalkoti

Every now and then, a technology comes along that changes the strides humanity takes. The introduction of the first-generation iPhone in 2007 changed the way we look at the phone and how we use it. Smartphones and social networking have changed the way we communicate and work, which has had an unprecedented impact on healthcare, travel, education, national security, and political and social revolutions. If we look closer, however, 3G networks once played a very crucial role in the emergence of these smartphones and social networks, but now that time has passed, and the sunset of 3G networks is near. The ubiquitous nature of 3G networks, the high speed required to support this transcendental user experience, and low-priced data plans were the catalyst required for the huge impact that smartphones had on human history.

3G Sunset Dates: When Will 3G Be Shut Down?

In the United States, major operators have announced plans and details of dates to shut down the 3G network. Verizon had plans to shut down the 3G network earlier in 2016, as it didn’t make economic sense to maintain the 3G CDMA network and a different 4G network, but those plans were delayed. 3G has lasted for years after, and until this today, 3G was still available, with no plan to shut it down or phased out. However, it appears the plan to phase out and stop 3G networks is back on track.

Tracking the 3G Sunset: Dates & Details

How much longer will 3G last? Here are some 3G sunset dates and how major U.S. carriers plan to end 3G, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.

Carrier When Why How The details
Verizon End of 2020 “Virtually all Verizon data traffic runs on our 4G LTE network. We have very few customers who are still accessing our 3G network.” Customers “are welcome to call into our customer service team and we will be happy to help them.” FAQs
AT&T “Early” 2022 “This will help free up spectrum to better accommodate next-generation technologies and services.” “We will work with our customers during this transition.” FAQs
T-Mobile “Over the next several years” but “we haven’t shared timing.” “We will be phasing out some older technologies… to free up even more capacity for LTE and 5G.” “We’ll make sure any affected customers are aware in advance to make adjustments if needed.” N/A

Source: Light Reading, “Goodbye 3G: Here’s when T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon will shut it off.”

Why Operators Should Move on from 3G

Here are some reasons for operators to make the move from 3G:

  • The primary driver is the re-use of spectrum for 5G. Spectrum is the lifeblood of the operators and there can never be enough spectrum for them.
  • Cost and operational efficiency of maintaining only 5G/4G networks.
  • A mad “gold rush” kind of frenzy to claim the first/early mover advantage of higher speeds and nationwide coverage on 5G networks, which in turn will help retain and add new subscribers to their network.
  • The promise of all the 5G features with Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and especially Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) with limitless possibilities.
  • Decrease the complexity and increase the reliability of the core networks, which aren’t required to support 3G technologies going forward.

Why Subscribers Should Move on from 3G

With 3G networks being phased out, here are some reasons for subscribers to make the move from 3G:

  • 5G-capable devices are already available now, which are more efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
  • The major US operators have confirmed there is no additional cost or surcharge
  • The majority of 3G/2G devices tend to be the IoT devices and there are a rich set of 5G Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) features and more exciting features coming down the pipeline.

While the curtain coming down on 3G reminds me of Clint Eastwood riding off into the sunset at the end of the movie The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly,  there is a lot of excitement about the future of 5G and exciting applications such as augmented/virtual reality, Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), the scale of billions of connected devices, and the insane speeds and low latencies never before experienced. And, finally, Peter Thiel will get his proverbial flying cars instead of 140 characters. Now, if only European operators would follow the lead from United States operators and also shutdown their 3G/2G networks. Come out of the dark ages and help me out on my roadmap. Is that too much to ask? Sigh!

Learn more about our Affirmed Networks’ solutions.

0 Shares
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Email
BLOG

Subscribe to our Blog

* Required Field

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related

  • Azure for Operators 5G SA Solution, UnityCloud Achieves 2nd Consecutive Leader Ranking in GlobalData 5G Mobile Core Disruptor Report
  • Sierra Wireless selects Affirmed to help speed IoT application deployments
  • What is Private LTE? How Operators Can Benefit from P-LTE Networks

Archives

  • Year 2021 blogs
  • Year 2020 blogs
  • Year 2019 blogs
  • Year 2018 blogs

Products & Solutions

  • Virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC)
  • Affirmed UnityCloud
  • Affirmed Private Network Service
  • UnityCloud Operations
  • Affirmed Cloud Edge – Mobile Edge Computing
  • IoT
  • Content & Security
  • Virtual Probe & Analytics
  • Network Slicing
  • WiFi
  • Global Professional Services

Company

  • About Affirmed Networks
  • Careers
  • Contact Affirmed
  • Terms of use
  • About Microsoft
  • Privacy at Microsoft
  • Partners
  • Customers
  • Cookie Policy (EU)

News & Events

  • Press Releases
  • In the News
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Blog

Contact

+1-978-268-0800
AN_Marketing@microsoft.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Vimeo

Copyright © 2023 Affirmed Networks | Privacy Policy

Manage Cookie Consent
We use cookies to improve our website, track page views and provide more personalized services to you.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
Affirmed is now part of Microsoft

azure-dalle

Learn more about Azure for Operators

CLICK HERE