Mobile operators Slovak Telekom and Orange Slovensko are gearing up to switch off their 3G networks. The main reason is to free up the frequency bandwidth to improve the quality of newer, faster generations of mobile networks. In addition, 3G is less energy efficient than 4G and 5G.
Slovak Telekom switched off its 3G network in the districts of Zlaté Moravce and Žarnovica at the beginning of October. It plans to gradually switch off its 3G network throughout Slovakia in two phases in the second half of November. In 38 districts in central and eastern Slovakia, the 3G network will be switched off on November 21. In and around Bratislava and the rest of western and central Slovakia, the operator will switch off the older network on November 23.
The most affected will be the clients who only have a mobile phone with support for this network and use data on the mobile phone. After the end of the 3G network, they will only be able to surf over the 2G network, which delivers very low speeds. The solution is device replacement.
Slovak Telekom claims that traffic on the 3G network has been gradually reduced to a minimum and that customers have already switched to 4G or 5G. For clients who use only voice and SMS services, they will continue to be able to use the 2G network.
Slovak Telekom has made a verifier, in Slovak, to see if they need to swap their SIM card to connect to a 4G or 5G network. In the same way, clients will also find out if they have a device that supports newer networks. If they have an unsupported card, they can apply online for the free delivery of a new one.
“If a customer has an old SIM card, it will need to be replaced in a shop or they can order a replacement online at www.telekom.sk/3G,” said Michal Korec, spokesperson of Slovak Telekom, as cited by the TASR. “On this dedicated page, they can also check what phone and SIM card they are currently using.”
Orange will keep the 3G network by the end of the year
Orange Slovensko plans to switch off its 3G network in early 2024. Until then the 3G network will be in full operation.
“The 3G network will be operated until December 31, 2023,” said Orange spokesperson Alexandra Piskunová as cited by zive.sk. “The actual switch-off of the 3G network will take place gradually on a location-by-location basis at the beginning of 2024.”
O2 and 4ka
O2 has not yet announced when it will say goodbye to its 3G network. It says it will make such a decision when it makes sense for the company, the žive.sk website informed.
Currently, clients of the youngest mobile operator 4ka can use Orange’s 2G and 3G network. In July, 4ka agreed with Orange that it will enable its clients to use its 4G network, i.e. a much faster network. However, Orange has not yet included frequencies in the 800 MHz band in the contract. 4ka customers will not be able to access it for the time being. In practice, this will mean a slightly lower coverage for 4ka clients than Orange clients.