\tAT&T started recycling some of its 3G bands for 5G service ahead of an anticipated shutdown of its 3G network in February 2022.<\/p>\n
In a statement to Mobile World Live, an operator representative said it is in the process of reallocating capacity and \u201credeploying spectrum currently used for 3G services to support mobile services on our 4G LTE and 5G networks based on market-by-market evaluations\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the 2022 shutdown date, the representative said AT&T is working \u201cproactively\u201d to encourage customers on its 3G network to migrate to more advanced services. The transition is expected to be smooth, but the representative acknowledged the possibility that some 3G customers could experience \u201cminor temporary issues while we\u2019re completing this work\u201d.<\/p>\n
At end December 2018, regulatory filings showed about 11 per cent of AT&T\u2019s post-paid customers were still using 3G handsets.<\/p>\n
The representative did not specify which bands the operator is upgrading. However, AT&T VP of converged access and device technology Gordon Mansfield previously said the operator planned to reuse its 850MHz and 1900MHz spectrum for 5G [1].<\/p>\n
A note sent to AT&T customers, which was posted to LinkedIn, appeared to confirm work is being conducted in those bands:<\/p>\n
The move follows AT&T\u2019s launch of mobile 5G service in 12 markets in December 2018 and comes as it pushes to expand to at least nine more markets in 2019. Mansfield said previously the addition of low-band spectrum in its 5G network will allow it to offer \u201cpretty broad coverage\u201d by the end of 2019.<\/p>\n
AT&T isn\u2019t the only one shutting down its 3G network: rival Verizon previously announced plans to shutter its 3G network at the close of 2019 [2].<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/devices\/news-devices\/att-samsung-team-on-sub-6ghz-5g-smartphone\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/verizon-closes-door-on-3g-devices\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AT&T started recycling some of its 3G bands for 5G service ahead of an anticipated …<\/p>\n
The post AT&T upgrades 3G spectrum to 5G<\/a> appeared first on Mobile World Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n