The 3G mobile phone service will disappear in 2022, starting in February

In Spanish

Today, the promotions of almost all mobile service companies include the 5G network (short for “fifth generation” wireless network) that has been rolling out across the country.

While companies can't be faulted for wanting to usher in the new era of mobile service, millions of people — including many older adults — still rely on phones and other 3G devices, the third-generation network that debuted in 2002. The 4G network that came after has been around for more than a decade.

Cellular carriers will eventually let the 3G network expire, forcing consumers with older devices to act before losing their cell service entirely, including being able to call 911. For that reason, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ) made a call to users about the end of 3G networks. Companies are turning off the 3G network to reconvert the limited amount of spectrum; that is, the radio waves that are assigned to send wireless signals to networks.