Verizon to Phase Out Its 3G Network by 2023

Verizon is in the process of converting its network to 5G, leaving its 3G network behind. Speaking at Mobile World Live, Verizon spokesperson Kevin King confirmed to Light Reading that the wireless company plans to shut down its 3G network by January 1, 2023.

According to King, Verizon is continuing to remove its existing 3G customers from the aging network.

It’s been a slow process with Verizon announcing it was planning to shut off its 3G network in 2019.

The carrier then stopped activating 3G phones starting in July 2018.

Verizon initially delayed that shutdown to 2020, and now it is holding off until 2023.

Currently, Verizon’s 3G network is still fully operational. Even though it isn’t activating 3G phones and hasn’t been since 2018, the carrier is still keeping the network active for its remaining customers with older phones.

As Verizon moves its customers off its 3G network, the company is decommissioning the 3G technology and reallocating the spectrum to its 5G network.

Apple is ready to woo new customers to Verizon’s 5G network with its iPhone 12 series. The iPhone 12 is the company’s first iPhone with 5G connectivity. It’s available in four different models ranging from the entry-level iPhone 12 mini to the oversized iPhone 12 Pro Max.