Verizon will no longer activate 3G phones

In a world where carriers are working to launch 5G networks, it should come as no surprise that Verizon is looking to shut down its old 3G network. One of the carrier’s first steps to reach its self-imposed late-2019 deadline to shut down its CDMA network is to stop activating 3G phones altogether.

In a statement to Droid-Life, Verizon said that it has been preparing to shut down its 3G CDMA network for several years now as most of its traffic solely relies on the company’s 4G LTE network. This statement was released in response to several customers who complained online that Verizon would no longer let them activate their 3G handsets.

Here is Verizon’s official statement:

For several years we’ve been been publicly saying that our 3G CDMA network will remain available through the end of 2019. Virtually all traffic on our network is on our 4G LTE network.

To facilitate a smooth transition to 4G LTE capable products and services, we are no longer allowing devices that are not 4G LTE capable to be activated on our network.

As Verizon stopped selling 3G phones quite some time ago, this change shouldn’t affect many people. 

If you are a Verizon customer and want the best speeds that the carrier offers, Android Authority has compiled a list of the best phones available on Verizon.