A big change is taking place among mobile operators. This network will soon disappear
Orange Polska announced plans to complete the shutdown of the 3G network by 2025, while T-Mobile Polska completed this process two years ago. The goal is to increase the efficiency of the 5G network.
Orange started turning off the 3G network in the second half of September 2023, with a plan to complete this process in 2025. T-Mobile stopped providing these services in the second quarter of 2023.
Mobile networks turn off 3G
The President of UKE reminds that telecommunications operators have full freedom in choosing the technology in which they will operate on the allocated frequencies. Technological and service neutrality is ensured through frequency reservations in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz bands. This means that the decision to migrate or disable the technology rests with the operators themselves.
On June 22, 2023, the President of UKE announced an auction for four frequency reservations in the 3.6 GHz band, which enabled operators to offer services with higher bandwidth and quality.
Why is 3G disappearing?
Turning off 3G technology is the result of limited frequency resources and technological progress. Operators are gradually replacing the outdated technology with the more modern 5G technology, which translates into better quality of services and greater bandwidth for customers.
Orange announced that it has finished turning off its 3G network in major cities and is now focusing on smaller towns and rural areas. Customers have noticed significant improvements in call quality and data transmission speeds in cities where the 5G network is already available.
T-Mobile Polska, in turn, after completing the 3G shutdown, focused on optimizing the 4G network and further expanding the 5G coverage. Play continues to develop its 5G network while monitoring demand for 3G services and adapting technology migration plans depending on user needs.
It’s time for 5G
The development of 5G is a strategic step towards modern telecommunications in Poland. Operators predict that in the coming years, thanks to 5G technology, it will be possible to introduce advanced services such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles and remote medicine, which will significantly impact the quality of life and economic development of the country.
