On January 1, 2023, Verizon deactivated its 3G network, making it the last of the major US carriers to do so. The shutdown was backed by the company’s plans to retire its 3G service by the end of 2022.

This action follows the earlier shutdowns of 3G service by rival operators AT&T and T-Mobile in 2022. All three carriers use the newly available spectrum to enhance their 4G and 5G coverage.

As a result of the deactivation, Verizon customers who own devices that are not compatible with 4G LTE and 5G networks will no longer be able to make phone calls or send and receive text messages.

This trend of deactivating 3G networks is becoming more common globally as mobile data traffic has shifted to 4G and, more recently, 5G networks. 3G networks are now largely unnecessary as a result.

In addition, last month Orange Slovakia announced plans to shut down its 3G network in 2022, Lithuanian telecom company Telia Lietuva retired its 3G network, and Greenlandic telecom provider Tusass revealed it will cease its 3G services in 2023.

Telecom Italia deactivated its 3G network in October, and other carriers in Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and South Africa have also announced plans to shut down their 3G services in the future.

Also Read: 3G Is Officially a Thing of the Past, as 5G Drives into the Sunrise