If, by any chance, you are part of the small number of smartphone users who still has a 3G device, Verizon Wireless has some bit of bad news. Earlier today, the wireless carrier revealed that they will no longer be activating 3G CDMA phones. Instead, the company will only be accepting phones that have 4G LTE capability.
Today’s news confirms speculation made early this year that Verizon will stop activating 3G devices by June or July. Adding to this, Droid-Life reported that a couple of individuals were turned down by Verizon for activating their 3G devices. The publication decided to reach out to the carrier and get an official statement regarding this rumor.
“For several years we’ve been been publicly saying that our 3G CDMA network will remain available through the end of 2019. Virtually all traffic on our network is on our 4G LTE network.
To facilitate a smooth transition to 4G LTE capable products and services, we are no longer allowing devices that are not 4G capable to be activated on our network.”
This move by Verizon has long been anticipated ever since the company stopped selling 3G devices. In its place, Big Red has offered LTE-only flip phones to customers who prefer the flip phone model. There has also been some reports that Verizon has started requiring customers to use 4G LTE devices that support HD and VoLTE calls.
So for now, Verizon is in the process of shutting down its 3G CDMA network. The wireless carrier intends to complete this by the end of next year.
