Less power consumption, more efficiency: 3G will make way for 5G from 2024 / even old cell phones will continue to work / the GSM network will remain in place
Vienna (OTS) – By the end of 2024, the three Austrian mobile network operators will be working on switching off and switching over the first, outdated mobile communications standard UMTS for mobile broadband – today better known as 3G – in favor of the powerful 5G system.
The Mobile Communication Forum has summarized the most important questions on the topic.
Q&A:
When does UMTS/3G expire?
The mobile network operators are gradually switching off UMTS/3G from region to region. By the end of 2024, UMTS/3G will no longer be available across the board.
Can you still make calls and send text messages with an old cell phone or smartphone?
Yes, because you need a GSM/2G connection to make calls and send text messages. The GSM/2G network will remain on the air in the future.
Who is affected by the UMTS/3G shutdown?
In fact, only a few users are affected by the shutdown: everyone whose smartphone is older than around 10 years. However, these smartphones only work to a limited extent today because the most popular apps such as WhatsApp are no longer supported on these devices.
Users of “push-button cell phones” are not affected because these devices usually only work with GSM/2G and the GSM/2G network remains switched on.
Why is the UMTS/3G network switched off?
With an operating life of 20 years, the UMTS/3G network is no longer up to date in terms of both data speed and energy consumption. With the shutdown, the freed-up frequency bands can now be used more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly way.
Do you have to buy a new cell phone or smartphone now?
That depends: Anyone who uses an old push-button cell phone and finds it enough can and should continue to use the device – the GSM/2G network required for this will also work in the future.
However, anyone who has a very old smartphone will have noticed that some apps no longer work. If you want to use apps in the future, you should switch to a new smartphone. All mobile network operators offer first-class smartphones bundled with affordable tariffs.
Im Detail
The 3G system, introduced in 2002, enabled realistic data speeds of around 10 to 15 Mbit/s and was therefore the first system that, in its final expansion stage, enabled nationwide mobile broadband coverage in Austria. With this system, the smartphone began its triumphal march and gradually replaced the push-button cell phone.
Everything stays the same – hardly anyone will notice the switch.
For the vast majority of mobile phone users, the switch and shutdown will not change anything, because the last smartphones that do not have at least a 4G module are now at least 10 years old, but usually significantly older. The number of very old smartphones still in use is estimated at less than 2%.
But users of such devices will hardly notice the shutdown because these smartphones no longer support current apps. For example, the most popular chat app “WhatsApp” is not available on devices older than about 8 years.
Since 2G – the GSM basic network for classic mobile telephony – will continue to operate in the future, these devices will still work for making calls and sending SMS.
2G push-button cell phones from almost 30 years ago can still be used
Just last year, the FMK searched for the oldest cell phone that is still in daily use in a sensational Austria-wide competition. First place went to an Ericsson GH 198, which came onto the market in 1993 and has been used continuously since 1995 to this day and can also be used in the future. The same applies to SIM cards that are significantly older than around 10 years.
More capacity with the same frequency requirement
The change is happening for several reasons. The first priority is the necessary expansion of the capacity of the mobile Internet networks.
The efficiency of the 3G systems that are still in operation today is extremely low compared to the new mobile phone generations 4G and 5G, but they block important frequency bands that will be used for 5G in the future.
Energy efficiency is of utmost importance as data consumption increases
UMTS/3G consumes – depending on the system technology – around 1,000 to 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per terabyte transmitted.
5G systems save an average of over 96% of electricity consumption with a consumption of around 50 kilowatt hours per terabyte. Although the savings potential is enormous, the energy consumption of mobile networks will not be reduced to this extent due to the constantly increasing amounts of mobile data transmitted. But that is precisely why it is all the more important to quickly free up frequency bands that are still used for 3G for 5G.
The progress of the 5G expansion and the impending shutdown of 3G systems and switchover to 5G therefore not only means a contribution to climate protection, but also a contribution towards greater independence from energy suppliers.
Modern security standards
Another reason for switching off 3G is that, despite numerous updates over the past 20 years, this system will no longer have the necessary security standards in the future. This means that secure operation of smartphones in 3G mode can no longer be guaranteed.
Questions & Contact:
Gregor Wagner
Press spokesman
Forum Mobile Communications – FMK
Mariahilfer Straße 37-39, A-1060 Vienna
Mobil: +43 664 619 25 12
Fix: +43 1 588 39 38
Email: wagner@fmk.at
Website: www.fmk.at