SaskTel has announced that customers with 3G wireless devices registered with the network will no longer function by October 2027.
In a news release, it said wireless devices that are not Voice over LTE (VoLTE) compatible will lose access to voice services.
SaskTel and Lüm Mobile will transition existing 3G and non-VoLTE wireless customers to the 4G LTE and 5G/5G+ networks. The Crown corporation said it offers faster data speeds, more advanced devices and new features.
“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,” SaskTel President and CEO, Charlene Gavel, said.
“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 toward new and emerging technologies,” she added.
SaskTel said 3G wireless technology is being phased out around the world, noting that the network equipment availability is becoming “more costly to repair and difficult to source.”
Canadian roaming partners have already begun shutting down their 3G networks, which means 3G wireless devices could lose coverage when leaving the province.
SaskTel encourages all customers to upgrade to the 4G LTE or 5G/5G+ networks in the coming months to ensure they are covered.
