By February 2022, AT&T will phase out its 3G network. This is part of an ongoing effort to continue to improve the mobile network and further invest in 5G.
Here’s what you need to know to help you prepare for the change.
Check if your phone will work on the new network
One of the most important things to understand is that after the 3G network gets phased out, not all cell phones will work on the new network. Check out this eSupport article to see if your cell phone or any other cell phones on your account will be affected. Checking for someone else? Go here to see a list of devices that will still work after the shutdown.
If either of those places says your current cell phone will work on the upgraded AT&T network, you have nothing to worry about and you will still be connected with your current phone come March 2022. But if your phone or a phone on your account is impacted, here’s what you have to do to stay connected.
What to do if you are impacted by the 3G shut down
If you’ve checked the list and your phone is not on there, that means it’s time to upgrade the impacted cell phone on your account. But don’t fret, you have multiple options!
Option 1: To facilitate this change, AT&T is giving eligible customers special deals on new devices, including some deals that might include a free cell phone. Go here to learn more about this deal. Alternatively, if you have a cell phone on your account that qualifies, both the account holder and impacted cell phone user will be contacted with next steps. It’s that easy.
Option 2: Upgrade to the phone of your choice. AT&T has great phone deals for both new and existing customers. You can even select to receive your phone with free same-day delivery and expert setup from AT&T Right to You.1
Option 3: No longer use the affected cell phone line? You can disconnect anytime.
Got more questions? Make an appointment at your local retail store and speak to a sales rep, or call an AT&T customer care center today.
AT&T PREPAID customer? If so, here’s what you need to do:
- Go to an AT&T Store to get a new phone, or order one online from AT&T PREPAID.
- Put your SIM card into the new phone. If your SIM card doesn’t fit, you’ll need to get a new one from an AT&T store.
- Sign in to att.com/myprepaid.
- Select My Device, then Update Device.
- Follow the prompts to update your IMEI or SIM card number.
A few other great reasons to upgrade
Other than getting a phone that will work after the 3G network is phased out, there are of course a lot of other great reasons to upgrade your device. Think of this as an excuse to pick out a new phone that might have cool features like a better camera, longer battery life, better screen resolution, a faster processor, and so on. Depending on the device, you may also be able to take advantage of additional features from the AT&T network, like having access to 5G service in eligible areas.
Ideas for what to do with your old phone
If you decide to upgrade your device, there are a couple of good options for what you can do with your old device. For example, you can recycle your wireless device, your battery, and many accessories at an AT&T store. For a few other ideas of what to do with your old phone, you may want to check out this article.
Enjoy your wireless service!
Hopefully, this post gave you all of the information that you might need to prepare for the phase-out of the AT&T 3G network. Now, enjoy having great wireless service as AT&T continues to evolve its network.
This article was written by Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
Legal Stuff
1. AT&T Right To YouSM
Same-day delivery subject to availability. Select areas only. Must purchase and activate eligible device with wireless service agreement and qualifying voice and/or data plan. Requires account holder present, at least 18 years of age with government-issued photo ID.
Limited to select zip codes in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Birmingham, AL, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, Fresno/Visalia, CA, Greater New York City, NY, Hartford/New Haven, CT, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, MO, LaFayette, LA, Las Vegas, NV, Little Rock, AK, Los Angeles, CA, Louisville, KY, Memphis, TN, Miami, FL, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Nashville, TN, New Jersey, New Orleans, LA, Oklahoma City, OK, Orlando, FL, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA, Portland OR, Providence, RI, Raleigh, NC, Sacramento, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, St. Louis, MO, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL, Tulsa, OK, and Washington, DC.
Other geographic and service restrictions apply. AT&T or an authorized vendor will contact customer to schedule, deliver, and set up an eligible device. No charge to customer for AT&T Right To You. Right To You delivery is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be redeemed for cash or applied as payment to an AT&T account. AT&T not responsible for lost or damaged software or data. Subject to wireless service agreement. Activation/upgrade, early termination and other fees, and restrictions may apply. Offer subject to
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