Vodafone is set to finally turn off their 3G network as 4G and 5G become the new standard for mobile data.
Mobile users in Cork, Galway and Dublin have been warned that if their device isn't set up for 4G usage, it may no longer work fully from this month onward - meaning no access to Whatsapp, Facebook, Maps and more unless you upgrade.
While most phones won't be affected by the change, some features on older models could be made obsolete following the shut-off. The shutdowns don't just include mobile phones - security alarms, card readers, heating systems and e-books are all in danger of being cut off from the network they need to function.
You could even find yourself having problems with your car. Tesla has told Irish customers that some older Model S vehicles will lose a chunk of data-dependent features, such as navigation and remote unlocking unless owners install a new 4G modem - which comes at a minimum cost of €163.
This is the next phase of the network provider's plan to shut down their 3G network nationwide, following the successful switch-off in Limerick back in February. Vodafone claims that dropping the 3G signal will free up capacity for the newer networks, but coverage maps show that many areas still aren't set up for 4G or 5G.
On their website, Vodafone has the following advice for customers still on the 3G network: "Customers with a 3G handset, after the 3G network is switched off, you will continue to receive phone calls over the 2G network.
Source: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/vodafone-turn-ageing-3g-network-29307302