Mobile
Swisscom’s 3G network will only be available until the end of 2025, at which point it will be shut down within a few weeks. The company is continuously enhancing the mobile network for its customers, focusing on the more powerful and sustainable 4G and 5G technologies. Modern mobile technologies offer a wealth of advantages that make people’s daily lives considerably easier. From faster speeds to a range of applications that are only possible with 4G and 5G.
Switzerland’s 3G network has been a key part of its mobile communication systems since 2004. It was the first technology that allowed people to send large data volumes over the mobile network. But it has now been overtaken by more recent mobile network generations. After 20 years in the airwaves, 3G no longer meets customers’ needs and expectations. Modern applications need considerably faster data speeds that 3G simply cannot deliver, which is why Swisscom is shutting down its 3G network at the end of 2025 – a key step that brings an end to an era, but also creates space for the future. The newer 4G and 5G networks are not only faster and more efficient, but also take less energy to run.
Swisscom first announced the planned shutdown in March 2022 to give residential and business customers sufficient time to prepare. Customers have until the end of 2025 to replace their 3G devices, as these will no longer work come 2026. They will need to have devices that support 4G or 5G to be able to continue using Swisscom’s mobile services.
Today, far less than 1% of mobile data traffic runs on the 3G network, but the technology occupies 10% of the antenna capacity. Operating the 3G network also uses considerably more electricity than more recent technologies. As the 2G shutdown did five years ago, shutting down 3G frees up space for new, more efficient technologies, enabling the scarce transmitting power, frequency range and energy resources to be used more efficiently.
Customers can text “3G” to 444 free of charge to check which technologies their phone supports. Alternatively, the Swisscom Cockpit also shows whether a device is affected by the 3G phaseout. It’s important to note that the shutdown will also affect 4G-capable devices that don’t support VoLTE calling and emergency calls over 4G. These will no longer be able to connect to the network for phone calls after the shutdown.
Swisscom expects to keep 4G and 5G services in place for many more years. There is currently no date planned for a 4G phaseout. In any case, Swisscom will give customers at least three years’ notice of any forthcoming 4G shutdown.