Foreign media: Germany may completely shut down 3G network in 2022

Deutsche Telekom has become the third major operator in Germany to set a date for the end of its 3G services, revealing plans to shut down its 3G network on June 30, 2021, thereby clearing spectrum for 4G and 5G services.

The announcement appears to solidify the end of 3G access in Germany by the end of 2022, when Telefonica Deutschland plans to shut down its network: Vodafone Germany had already announced plans to shut down its 3G network on the same day as Deutsche Telekom.

Deutsche Telekom said it would fill 3G coverage gaps with 4G services, but customers without compatible devices would be forced to downgrade to its 2G network. The company added that 4G access was already included in almost all plans, meaning customers would not have to pay extra.

Deutsche Telekom board member and CEO Dirk Wossner said the move would make way for "state-of-the-art technology" as the operator advances its 5G deployment in Germany.

The shutdown of 3G networks is continuing around the world, with Indian operator Bharti Airtel saying in June that work was nearly complete and Spanish operator Telefonica planning to shut down its 3G network in Spain by 2025.

US operators Verizon and AT&T plan to shut down their 3G networks at the end of 2020 and February 2022, respectively.