In 2002, the 3G network was considered to be a big deal as it had a huge impact on network speeds, apps as well as telecommunications in general. Now, in 2022, the time has come for a 5G Network to be deployed across most if not all parts of the nation. On Tuesday, AT & T announced that it is officially phasing out the 3G network. Other telecom companies will do also do so by the end of the year.

Although most consumers might already be using 4G and 5G phones there still could be some apps and devices that will be impacted as the 3G network goes defunct. It is easy to check a phone and confirm that it runs on a 4G network but other devices may not be so easy to check.

Some of the devices that could be impacted include the following:

3G Kindle
3G Flip phone
iPhone 5
Certain home alarm systems
Certain medical devices
Android phone models
OnStar roadside assistance systems.

Since the phasing out of the network has been in the works from a while, most upgrades might have taken place already. General Motors reportedly began sending upgrades right from 2015. Alternatively, upgrades have been offered for cars with 3G technology. Another way of managing to use the soon to be defunct system is to use an adapter with a modem that can be plugged into the vehicle.

T-Mobile is planning to shut its 3G network by the third quarter of the year while Verizon will shut its 3G network operations by December 2022.

One of the major advantages after shutting the network for all the major telecom operators in the nation is that it can stop concentrating on what has now become a minuscule operating network. Verizon has already reported that 99 percent of its customers have upgraded to 4G LTE while AT&T told CNN Business that less than one percent of its mobile traffic used 3G networks. T-Mobile did not respond when asked about its 3G user base.