RedPocket Insights

Your Guide to the Sprint 3G Shutdown - Red Pocket Mobile

Written by Red Pocket Mobile | Feb 21, 2022 2:30:35 PM

All three major US wireless carriers are shutting down their 3G networks this year. Sprint recently merged with T-Mobile and is also retiring its LTE network. The Sprint network shutdown starts on March 31, 2022 for CDMA (3G) when certain devices will lose network access. This may impact your CDMAS service in the very near future, so please read on! And please note: no matter what Sprint device you have, all CDMAS Customers must be migrated to a different network by May 31, 2022.  

So, what does Sprint’s network shutdown mean for you? It means that you will need to transfer to another Red Pocket network as soon as possible. If you own a phone that only works on Sprint’s 3G network, it will no longer receive a cellular signal after March 31, 2022 and you will need to upgrade to a new device that works on a different network. 

But get this: if you have a 4G device that supports Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE), you can still use your existing device on CDMAS until June 31st. But sometime before that date, it’s critical that you migrate to either our GSMA, GSMT or CDMA networks with a new SIM card. 

Don’t worry - we’re here to help with this! Your phone number and service should continue uninterrupted, but only so long as you move networks and devices prior to being impacted by the Sprint network shutdown. 

So should you be concerned? The entire Sprint network is shutting down, so if you are currently using the Red Pocket CDMAS service, you will need a new SIM card and possibly a new phone.  If you have an older phone that either only connects to 3G or that has 4G but does not support VoLTE, you need to take some quick action to avoid losing service very soon. 

What is your next step? 

Now, if you have a phone that only supports the Sprint 3G CDMA network or that does not offer VoLTE - we got you. 

But we need to give it to you straight: if you fall into this camp, you’re going to need both a new phone and a new SIM Card. We know that change isn’t always fun, but we will try to make it as painless (and inexpensive!) as possible. 

If you have a Sprint VoLTE Device you will still need a new SIM Card and to transfer networks by June 30, 2022, when the CDMAS network shuts down entirely.

What Red Pocket Mobile is doing about it

Look, this whole shutdown of the Sprint network was not your choice, nor was it ours. You just found yourself in the middle of it, having a new issue added to your plate. Naturally, you want to deal with it, hopefully quickly and conveniently, and move on with your life.

What we can do is to help you navigate the uncomfortable situation the shutdown may put you in. Having been in this industry for 16 years, our experience showed us how to best guide our customers through a journey like this, where together we can find the best device, network, and service plan for them. 

What does “the best” mean here? A number of cool things: 

  • The wireless network with the broadest and fastest coverage where you live, work and play. 
  • A phone that comes with all the bells and whistles that you want - and if you want to be friendly to your wallet, leaves out features that you don’t need.
  • A wireless plan that gives you all the connectivity you need at a price you’re comfortable with. 

Here at Red Pocket Mobile, as a leading mobile service provider, we are our customers’ biggest fans. We love delighting people when they realize that they keep their coverage and their phone number, but get better customer service and a much better price. 

"It's really about giving people better ways of connecting with families, friends, and co-workers in this hyper-busy world we live in," said Joshua Gordon, CEO at Red Pocket Mobile. “We’re relentless advocates for our customers, because life is just better when your service provider has your back.

Concerns about the future

A common concern is that “I’m just going to get a new phone and then the 4G network will be obsolete in no time as well.”

Sources like CBS claim that - at least for now - 4G is going to be around for a while. It will likely be at least several years before the 4G network is, in turn, sunset. 

If you want to be even better equipped for the future, though, it can’t hurt to get a new 5G capable smartphone and a plan to be future-proofed! 

Well, there you have it. It feels like the end of an era almost, don’t you think? If you’ve been using a 3G-only phone, it probably does. 

But the good news is that, if you’re looking for the best deals for wireless phones and service plans, you’re in the right place at the right time!

Enter coupon code: SUNSET50 at checkout to receive discount. Taxes and fees may apply. Coupon code is single use only. Valid one per customer. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.redpocket.com/shop/specials to place an order.