Have you used 3G lately? Thought not. But the technology is still in use by some networks in Ireland, including Eir and the mobile virtual network operators that also use its network, including GoMo and Lyca Mobile. Its days are numbered however.
What is happening?
From October 1st, Eir will begin to turn off the 3G network it operates around the country. Donegal is first on the list, with the rest of the country following, and it plans to have the entire process completed within weeks.
3G? Isn’t that old technology?
It is, dating back to the early 2000s. The first 3G network in Ireland was Vodafone Ireland’s back in May 2003, with Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick the first to get the service. O2 followed in December, with Three entering the market in 2005.
Speeds and quality may pale in comparison to what is on offer today, but at the time, it was a huge leap for networks. It meant faster internet access speeds that allowed you to make video calls, stream (lower resolution) videos and made the mobile internet a workable prospect.
READ MORE
It has now been overtaken by 4G and 5G networks.
Does anyone still use it?
A small number of people are still using the older technology, Eir says. This move is part of the global switch-off of the 3G network. Eir isn’t the first network to do this; it isn’t even the first Irish network to switch off 3G. Vodafone turned its network off in late 2024, and Three began the process around the same time.
Why?
The main reason is to reallocate valuable network spectrum to the newer 4G and 5G networks, which can carry more data per unit of spectrum. That means mobile users could see a boost in performance on the newer networks as 3G is shut down.
Will my phone stop working?
Not necessarily. Eir customers will still be able to make and receive calls on their phone, and the same for text messages, because unlike other countries, Ireland hasn’t yet switched off its 2G network. That is coming eventually, but further down the line.
Turning off the 3G network will only have an impact on your data connection. Any smartphone bought in the past few years will likely support 5G networks, and should support 4G and voice over LTE. If you have a 4G or 5G-enabled phone, you will see no negative effect; if you have a device that only supports 3G, you will lose your data connection once the network is turned off.
But phones aren’t the only things that have a sim card. Other devices – tablets, smartwatches, alarms, trackers, or even cars with Eir’s sim cards – may also be using the older networks. If they can’t be upgraded to work with newer network technology, you will need to replace them. You should contact the manufacturer of those devices to see what can be done.
What do I need to do now?
For some people, it will be a simple update of settings and a replacement sim card – free of charge – to upgrade to 4G or 5G. For others, a new device will be needed.
If your phone supports 4G or 5G, check your device’s settings to make sure the service is enabled. You should also update your software to the latest version available.
If you are an Eir customer and use 3G-only services, you should have been contacted directly by Eir with advice on what to do next. But if you are worried, you can contact Eir directly for advice. The company also has an Age Friendly Care customer support service for customers aged 65 and over, which you can contact on 1800 252 252.
