Verizon has recently announced that it will be discontinuing support for its older 3G devices by December 31, 2019. This means that the CDMA network will be retired and the 1x EVDO 2G 3G will no longer be available. As a result, Verizon will no longer permit any 3G activations as of June 30, 2018.
If you have an MM/IoT device on the CDMA network, Verizon will retire the network. This applies to personal accounts as well. If you have a phone through your business and it’s not 4G LTE compatible, make sure to remind them to get on the ball so that you’re not left out at the end of 2019.
But what does this mean for GSM phones on Verizon? In preparation for the discontinuation of 3G, Verizon will now be a GSM carrier. Providers such as AT&T and T-Mobile may be able to roam depending on what kind of bands the 4G LTE is using.
So, what can you do? Don’t wait to switch. You’re going to have a much better experience on Verizon’s 4G LTE network than you are on the slower legacy CDMA network. If you’re interested in leaving Verizon for an alternative carrier, you can check out Cricket Wireless.
Verizon discontinuing its older 3G devices is a highly searched topic, and it’s about time for them to step up their game. While this could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it, it’s important to stay informed and take action as needed.