3G has been an essential part of mobile connectivity for more than two decades. With the introduction of the web standard in 2001, devices can download and upload data faster than ever before. It enables businesses to conduct proper mobile video conferencing for the first time, and enables consumers and business people to browse the Internet anytime, anywhere.

Why is 3G turned off?

The main reason for 3G being phased out is to free up resources for 4G and 5G capacity.

The move will free up teams within the telco to focus on the updated architecture, allowing them to focus more on testing and development.

Reduced network costs are also a big advantage of this process, as MNOs do not need to spend time and money maintaining their 3G infrastructure. It also saves telecommunications companies considerable energy costs as newer networks have more efficient energy use.

3G's predecessor, 2G, is also out, although its basic services depend on 3G, which was and is used by some IoT devices. From traditional smart meters to diagnostic equipment, 2G has more resisters than one might expect, keeping the aging network protocol alive.

What impact will it have on the business?

If anyone is concerned that critical 3G systems might crash when 3G is phased out, they needn't be, as few businesses still rely on older networks for their connectivity needs. The drop comes as businesses have been preparing for the 3G phase-out, migrating devices and services to newer networks as consumers shift to 4G and 5G devices.

Satellite broadband could boost rural business connectivity

However, small and medium enterprises (SMBs) in rural areas are more likely to be affected by this change in the short term, as many businesses struggle to obtain sufficient data under current conditions. The phase-out could exacerbate the ongoing crisis in rural connectivity, with service being withdrawn before fiber broadband fills the gap it leaves. Satellite broadband could be the key to these remote businesses, despite the need to expand 4G and 5G network coverage in these areas to bridge the digital divide being experienced.

When and where will 3G be turned off?

UK businesses expect the 3G phase-out to come as soon as the end of 2023, with businesses using EE and Three3G networks losing access at various times in 2024.

The UK government says 2G and 3G services will cease by 2033 at the latest. MNOs may shut down networks before this date, especially if ongoing network costs are balanced with the continued expansion of 5G across the country.

Globally, the decommissioning of 3G is still progressing rapidly, and as of September 2022, the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has identified 142 operators who have started or completed the shutdown of 2G and 3G. Of the 142 countries, 24 completed 2G shutdowns in 15 countries, while 28 countries closed 3G networks in 17 countries.

In the Asia-Pacific region, things are moving at a faster pace. Japan abandoned 2G entirely in 2012, the same year 4G services first launched in the country, making 3G the country's oldest network protocol. Meanwhile, MNOs in Singapore and South Korea shut down their 2G networks.

In the US, the 3G standard has been fully retired, as the last holdout, Verizon, ends 3G support in early 2023. The business had intended to shut down the network in 2019, but twice extended the deadline to reduce disruption to customers.

The picture for network availability across the EU is mixed, with Germany, Italy and the Netherlands all shutting down 3G access, and mobile network operators in 22 EU countries planning to shut down or have already shut down their legacy networks.

Across the EU, 3G is expected to be retired by the end of 2025, a comfortable deadline that ensures businesses and consumers within the bloc can ditch older devices for newer 4G or 5G models.

Can artificial intelligence embedded 6G "green" the next generation network?

Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest mobile network operator, will cease its 3G services by mid-2022, although 5G rollout in the country is far from complete. The company said it was shifting its focus to delivering the best 4G network while expanding its 5G presence, rather than maintaining legacy networks and costly infrastructure.

It may be difficult to get a 3G signal anywhere in the world in the near future, but the benefits of next-generation networks like 5G and eventually 6G will far outweigh this loss.