We have been informed quite comprehensively about the transition to the new digital terrestrial transmission standard.
A little more in silence, however, another no less epochal change has passed, even from a symbolic point of view. And that is the progressive shutdown of 3G. Moreover, the two steps are linked, because the digital frequencies that will be released – those in 700 MHz – will be used precisely for the technology responsible for making us say goodbye to 3G, namely 5G.
We told you about it in an article in January. But now we have gotten to the heart of the matter, why the shutdown of 3G began in the first days of April.
First of all, let’s see what Tim’s progressive dismissal of the 3G network consists of. And then let’s find out, reiterating our vademecum, which are the users who will have to (indeed, who must already) replace their smartphone or sim.
The shutdown of the 3G network
In a note that appeared on the official website already on November 25 last year, Tim explained the reasons behind the progressive shutdown of the 3G network.
We read that “Tim, in the process of innovation and development of its mobile network, in order to offer its customers services of ever higher quality, has started the progressive disposal of the 3G network, in favor of the more performing 4G and 5G networks.”
Furthermore, the note continues, “the closure of the 3G network will allow TIM to concentrate investments on the most energy efficient technologies and the best performing in terms of quality of services offered to its customers.
The 4G and 5G networks, enhanced with continuous investments in technological innovation, will allow TIM customers to access an increasingly engaging and immersive user experience, even in the use of streaming videos, such as those available in the offers that combine TIMVISION contents with those of DAZN, Infinity +, Disney + and Netflix “.
The start in April
Tim’s note, compared to what we reported in January, has been updated. Because now there is not only the information that the process of shutting down the network was started in April. But a link was placed with which users can check when the 3G network will be discontinued in their municipality of residence.
After an initial search by region, you can download the list of all the municipalities in pdf.
The swtich off will last until June, and in April it will cover more than 1,500 municipalities. And it will not only involve Tim, but also the virtual operators who exploit his networks, such as Fastweb, Tiscali and CoopVoce.
The users involved
There are three types of users affected by the 3G shutdown: who has a 3G phone, a first generation 4G smartphone or a sim with less than 128K.
Let’s see what happens to each of the three categories of users.
3G phone owners
For them the speech is simpler. Devices that do not support 4G will only be able to switch back to the 2G network, the one we used in the nineties of the last century. It will be possible to make calls and send SMS, but surfing the Internet will be very slow and limited.
Owners of first generation 4G smartphones
To them, Tim has already sent the following communication: “Dear customer, from April 2022, Tim will start the gradual shutdown of the 3G network, which will be replaced by 4G and 5G technologies. Since your smartphone does not support calls with new technologies, in the absence of a 3G network, you will use the 2G network to make calls and send text messages, but will no longer be able to surf the Internet on the 4G network at the same time. To make the most of the quality of the Tim network, we suggest you consider replacing your old smartphone “.
More precisely, Phones that do not support VoLTE technology (Voice over LTE, which allows you to make calls on the 4G or 5G network) will be able to surf in 4G, but to make calls and send text messages they will have to move to 2G. And you will not be able to call and surf at the same time.
But how to check the compatibility of your smartphone with VoLTE technology? Just check, during a voice call, if the icon with the 4G or 5G symbol still appears.
For phones released before 2020, the VoLTE service is indicated by an icon at the top right of the display. If not, it should still be checked in the settings if the VoLTE service has been correctly enabled.
Sim owners with less than 128K
Those who have a sim with a capacity of less than 128k will still be able to call and send text messages using the 2G network, but surfing the net will be precarious.
The sim can be replaced in Tim centers. The operation has a cost of 15 euros, which will however be reimbursed within 24 hours on the credit of the new card.