Helping my family member get a "free" 4G phone from T-Mobile was surprisingly complicated, especially with the wireless carrier making very clear that its 3G network was retiring in weeks.

The 3G technology was first created about 20 years ago to carry cellphone signals as devices grew rapidly in popularity. Now, many phones use 4G or 5G networks, making 3G obsolete.

LTE and 4G networks improved on some of CDMA and 3G's limitations There was a massive increase in smartphone users after Apple's first iPhone, and T-Mobile G1 / HTC Dream Android phone became ...

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom added that turning off 3G networks will free up capacity that can then be used to expand 4G and 5G network coverage.

Over the next five years, 3G and 4G network subscriptions will capture 30 percent of the global wireless market, according to an In-Stat report.

The 3G network shutdown is coming and mainly will affect older phones like iPhones before iPhone 6. As AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile usher in the 5G era, they're also about to end their support for 3G.

Cellular providers will shut off call and data functions to older phones over the course of 2022, paving the way for more advanced network services like 5G.