Canadian telco SaskTel has confirmed it will retire its 3G mobile network next year.
Saskatchewan-based SaskTel announced that the network will be retired on October 1, 2027.
In its announcement, SaskTel warned customers that wireless devices not compatible with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will lose access to voice services.
The carrier has instead been focusing on pushing 4G and 5G mobile networks, which provide faster data speeds for customers.
“We remain firmly committed to delivering high-quality and reliable communications services to the people of Saskatchewan; however, as technology and customer needs evolve, it becomes necessary to turn down legacy networks,” said Charlene Gavel, president and CEO, SaskTel.
“Once the 3G network is turned down, we will be able to repurpose our 3G spectrum to add capacity to our other networks and refocus resources towards new and emerging technologies.”
Telcos across the world have either switched off or are in the process of retiring their legacy 3G mobile networks, which are more than two decades old. Running a 3G network also requires more energy for telcos, as the equipment is more power-hungry.
Founded in 1908 as the Department of Railways, Telegraphs, and Telephones, SaskTel provides mobile, Internet broadband, and TV services. The carrier has more than 1.4 million customers.
Rogers Communications, another Canadian telco, started its 3G network switch-off last year.
Source: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/canadas-sasktel-to-switch-off-3g-network-next-year/
