No more net in millions of phones! Operators disable 3G throughout Poland

Millions of Poles may shortly lose access to the mobile Internet. The largest mobile operators in the country are implementing a plan to completely shut down the 3G network, which for over a decade has been the foundation of communication. For older telephone holders, this means technological degradation – their devices can only make voice calls and send SMS messages. Access to applications, mobile banking, navigation or social media will be permanently cut off, creating a fresh digital gap. This process, although unavoidable from the position of the improvement of 4G and 5G networks, represents a immense challenge for hundreds of thousands of users who will be forced to exchange their devices. The exemption schedules vary according to the operator, which requires customers to pay peculiar attention and prepare for the upcoming revolution.

3G expiration schedule. Check erstwhile your operator disables the network

The process of deactivation of the 3rd generation network takes place in Poland at different rates, depending on the strategy adopted by individual operators. It is crucial that all user knows the plans of their supplier to avoid abrupt cuts from online services.

He was the first to make a extremist decision. T-Mobile, which ended support for 3G technology as early as the end of April 2023. Customers of this network utilizing older devices already feel the effects of this change.

Orange adopted a strategy for the gradual regional termination of the network. The process began in September 2023 and is systematically expanded to further voivodships. The operator informs about plans in advance, covering further areas specified as Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Wrocław, Szczecin or Radom.

The highest acceleration announced Play. The 3G network was originally scheduled to be extinguished by 2030, but fresh plans presume the completion of the process by the end of 2025. For Warsaw the word is the second 4th of 2025 and for Krakow the second half of the year. The reason is simply a slight traffic in the 3G network, which, according to UKE data, is only 3% of the total.

The top unknown remains Plus. The operator was the only 1 who failed to supply an authoritative detailed schedule. According to unofficial manufacture information, the process on this network is not due to end until 2027, which gives its customers the most time to prepare. However, the absence of an authoritative message may origin uncertainty.

Which phones will lose access to the Internet? List of equipment at risk

The problem concerns a wide scope of devices that are not compatible with newer communication standards specified as 4G (LTE) and 5G. erstwhile 3G is disabled, these phones will only be able to usage the 2G archaic network, which does not offer net access. Special attention should be paid to owners:

• Older Android smartphones, especially those operating on 4.0 or older versions that frequently do not have 4G modem.
• Early iPhone models, including the iconic iPhone 4 model and its predecessors. These devices do not support VOLTE (Voice over LTE) technology, which will further limit their functionality.
• Classic mobile phones.which were popular before the age of smartphones and were not pre-equipped with 4G module.
• Older tablets with 3G modemwhich will lose the ability to connect to the net beyond the scope of the Wi-Fi network, which will drastically limit their mobility.

It is essential to check the method specifications of the device. This information can be found in the settings of the telephone (usually in the ‘Mobile networks’ or ‘About the phone’), in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website.

What does this mean in practice? These applications and services will halt working

The consequences of losing access to the mobile net are far more serious than it might seem. For many people, this means cutting off key tools to facilitate everyday life. 2G devices will lose access to:

• Communication and social media: Applications specified as Messenger, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok will become completely useless.
• Mobile banking: Signing into banking applications, making transfers, or paying BLIC will be impossible without access to the Internet.
• GPS navigation: Google Maps, Waze or another navigation applications will halt working due to the fact that they require a fixed connection to download way and traffic data.
• Emails and web browsers: Checking emails to make it impossible to browse websites on the journey.
• Information applications: Access to current news, weather forecasts or public transport timetables will be impossible.

Moreover, these phones will not be able to receive software updates, which may lead to safety and stableness problems over time.

You request a telephone call. How much is this gonna cost?

Adaptation to the fresh technological reality entails costs that can be a crucial burden for many households. Unfortunately, no of the operators supply for compensation or peculiar payment schemes for customers forced to exchange devices. This is simply a peculiarly hard situation for seniors, people with lower incomes and families with respective older phones.

Prices of devices compatible with the fresh standards vary. Basic 4G LTE smartphones can be purchased for around PLN 400-500. However, these are models with limited parameters. Devices offering additional access to the latest 5G technology are expenditures in order minimum PLN 1000-1500. Although operators can offer promotions erstwhile extending the contract, these are not dedicated solutions for people affected by 3G extinguishing. It is worth considering the acquisition of renovated (refricast) equipment, which frequently offers a better value for money.

How to prepare for the revolution? applicable advice for everyone

To avoid unpleasant surprises, take a fewer simple steps. First of all, check whether your telephone and SIM card support 4G/LTE and VOLTE technology. This can be done in your telephone settings or by contacting your operator's client service office. If you find that the device is not compatible, you should plan to replace it before the 3G network is switched off in your region.

Planning to buy a fresh smartphone, choose models that support at least 4G LTE, and preferably besides 5G. It is an investment that will guarantee compatibility for many years. Keep track of your operator's messages on his website or mobile application regularly to keep up with the exemption schedule. For those who cannot afford to exchange equipment immediately, the solution may be to usage public and home Wi-Fi networks more intensively. Although this will not replace the full mobile internet, it will let access to key services in selected locations.