How will this upcoming 3G switch off affect things with mobiles?
My mother has a basic Nokia, non-smart phone. She just uses it for calls mainly
She's been getting texts saying she may need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible phone, "to avoid connection issues". (I checked, and her Nokia isn't 4G/5G compatible)
Will basic phones like hers work at all, after this switch off? I don't think she could handle a smartphone at her age. Nor does she want one.
AP,
Depending on the exact model it may not work a quick google of model specifics should answer this. 4g/5g phones come in the not so smart variety also and shouldn't put either your or your mum out of pocket to drastically.
Unfortunately the older generation aren't considered when moves like this happen.
as long as the phone is 4g compatible like example below she should be kept in service for years to come.
There are also obviously a variety of options with screens etc. depending on other dependencies i.e. eyesight/hearing.
Hope this helps :)
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3100660?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ltqxpqltp&istBid=t&utm_custom6=LIA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=free_listing&utm_campaign=merchant_center&deeplink=true&gStoreCode=4096&gQT=1
Quote from: 2ndstringsub on June 05, 2025, 04:17:00 PMAP,
Depending on the exact model it may not work a quick google of model specifics should answer this. 4g/5g phones come in the not so smart variety also and shouldn't put either your or your mum out of pocket to drastically.
Unfortunately the older generation aren't considered when moves like this happen.
as long as the phone is 4g compatible like example below she should be kept in service for years to come.
There are also obviously a variety of options with screens etc. depending on other dependencies i.e. eyesight/hearing.
Hope this helps :)
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3100660?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ltqxpqltp&istBid=t&utm_custom6=LIA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=free_listing&utm_campaign=merchant_center&deeplink=true&gStoreCode=4096&gQT=1
Ah, I didn't realise you could get a non-smart 4G phone like that. Something like that should be grand for her if needed.
Her provider was texting to suggest smartphone types to upgrade to. Looks like a basic Nokia is still a possibility
Thanks for that
Another thing is the analogue home phone switch off. Apparently all home phone calls will be made over the net. I assume if your broadband goes down , you can't make a call then?
Doesn't seem like progress to me. But that's for another day
Still a market for those type of phones. Depending on what type of work you do, especially farming, they might be preferrable. If you have an accident, are alone and bleeding, your smart phone may not be operable if bloodied screen.
Starlink is a great option for broadband. Pity about the owner though.
2G remains, if calls are all you want, and it generally has better coverage than 3G had.
A week or so ago , the 3G signal was switched off.
I've ordered a replacement 4G compatible Nokia phone (yet to arrive). But the old Nokia seems to still be working fine. No issues with texts or calls.
Was this "switch off" a big con to move everyone onto smartphones... unnecessarily?
Quote from: AustinPowers on January 21, 2026, 07:34:23 PMA week or so ago , the 3G signal was switched off.
I've ordered a replacement 4G compatible Nokia phone (yet to arrive). But the old Nokia seems to still be working fine. No issues with texts or calls.
Was this "switch off" a big con to move everyone onto smartphones... unnecessarily?
Text messages and phone calls do not use a data connection, only regular cellular.
QuoteQuoteA week or so ago , the 3G signal was switched off.
I've ordered a replacement 4G compatible Nokia phone (yet to arrive). But the old Nokia seems to still be working fine. No issues with texts or calls.
Was this "switch off" a big con to move everyone onto smartphones... unnecessarily?
Text messages and phone calls do not use a data connection, only regular cellular.
So a phone upgrade wasn't necessary then?