Still use an old flip phone? 5G technology continues to rollout, leaving 3G users disconnected

[Sherman A1]

A landmark day in the rollout of the 5G cellular network will take place on Jan. 19, giving faster speeds and wider coverage to millions of cell phones in St. Louis and other urban centers across the county. But the coming switch, the latest in the advent of 5G, could leave some devices in the dark.

Both Verizon and AT&T plan to switch on their C-band networks on Wednesday, a change that is expected to further increase the speed and availability of the two providers’ networks.

5G stands for “fifth-generation cellular” and is touted as the next big thing for cellular devices. According to the Federal Communications Commission, 5G provides faster service, fewer delays and a larger capacity for users.

“This is the second wave of the 5G era,” Andy Choi, a communication manager with Verizon, said. “You’re looking at more than 100 million people in 1,700 cities across the country that will have access to Version’s Ultra Wideband network.”

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy-business/2022-01-17/still-use-an-old-flip-phone-5g-technology-continues-to-rollout-leaving-3g-users-disconnected

[sarcasmo]

1. My 3g is still working. I use it for Internet surveys and Internet orders.

[Torchlight]

2. I finally gave up my flip this past summer

Had it for the past thirteen years, but provider informed me it would stop working, so I finally got a low-cost smart phone.

Given all that's available on the new model, I'm a little surprised I still use it just for text and conversations. Maybe eventually I'll adapt.

[jcgoldie]

3. and leaving people in rural areas further in the dark

They are expanding 5G in the cities meanwhile a few miles out and your phone stops working due to the dearth of 5G towers. My wife got new i-phones and I can no longer make a phone call without going out in the center of the driveway. AT&T explained to me that its because they only try to connect to 5G towers which are too far away. I switch it to LTE only in the settings and it is no better.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. No reason to still have one. Recycle it.

People were inconvenienced when Betamax was phased out, but they went to VHS, a format that would be cutting edge for 50 years (haha).

I get that money is an issue, and if someone shops an iPhone with a plan it may run a hundred bucks a month or more. I can't afford that either, and that's why I bought a Samsung 12a, an Android that cost $5 a month to buy without interest. I quickly paid it off and now I pay $15 total a month for unlimited calls and text service.

The reason some plans are so expensive is unlimited data. Watching movies, surfing the 'net, using it as a radio, and plugging into your car nav system. All those things run up the data limit and are expensive. People using a flip phone were likely doing none of those things anyway. It's time to get a smart phone and throw out the VCR too.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. From what I understand the main problem here is with like older medical alert devices

That operate on 3G still.

I'd imagine this is going to hurt a lot of folks on fixed incomes

[wishstar]

6. According to Verizon, my 3G Tracfone (one that does not have sim card) will work through Dec 2022

Verizon originally planned to end their service at end of 2019 but have extended through end of this year so those like me on a Tracfone that relies on Verizon network have longer. Other Tracfones with sim cards using other networks won't function by Feb 2022.

[Wounded Bear]

7. Used my Biden Bucks to upgrade last summer...

I'm good.

[hunter]

8. I'm an absent minded klutz. If there's a way to lose or break a slab style phone I'll manage it.

I have a 4G LTE flip phone.