Now it's official. There will soon be no more 3G networks. Vodafone has now confirmed this in an official press release.
The mobile operator Vodafone is serious. Vodafone is now the first German network operator to officially end the 3G network. Accordingly, the 3G (UMTS) technology is to be switched off on June 30, 2021. This is stated in the Notice:
A lot has happened since the introduction of digital mobile communications in Germany. Mobile communications standards such as 3G have been replaced by new developments and are therefore no longer up to date. In order to avoid traffic jams on the increasingly important data highways, all mobile network operators in Germany are planning to switch off 3G. At Vodafone Germany, we plan to send 3G technology into its well-deserved retirement on June 30, 2021.
Gerhard Mack, technical director at Vodafone, explains the shutdown procedure as follows:
The basic rule is: antennas are technology-neutral and therefore remain installed at our mobile phone sites. We only occasionally replace old equipment. Instead, we are gradually reducing the 3G frequency spectrum. We are converting the 3G capacity to LTE in successive steps up to the shutdown date. This has no noticeable impact on our 3G customers. But it does have an impact on our LTE customers, because they can already use parts of the 3G spectrum for LTE today. This means they can use the network faster, more securely and better.
What do I have to do now as a Vodafone 3G customer?
The shutdown will therefore be gradual and will not take place overnight. During the transition period, all 3G customers will also be automatically added to the LTE network. The mobile operator wants to facilitate a smooth transition at this point. This means that SIM cards that do not support LTE will be replaced free of charge by Vodafone. Customers who have hardware that is not compatible with LTE can also look forward to inexpensive alternatives. The company promises to have something suitable for every budget - business customers will of course also be taken into account. (Image: Vodafone)
