The 3G shutdown: what it means for old dongles and hotspots
For about fifteen years, 3G was the network that USB modems were built for. Now operators around the world are switching it off to reuse the radio frequencies for 4G and 5G, which carry far more data in the same spectrum. For anyone with an old data card, this is the single biggest reason it no longer connects.
When and where
The timing varies by country and operator. In the United States the major networks retired 3G during 2022. In Germany, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone switched it off in 2021. In the UK, the operators phased it out between 2023 and 2025. Many other countries have similar plans, while some keep 3G running for longer, often in rural areas. The operator's own website is the reliable source for your network.
What about 2G?
In several countries operators chose to keep 2G running longer than 3G, because many alarm systems, meters and older machines depend on it. A 3G stick can often fall back to 2G (GPRS or EDGE), but speeds of a few dozen to a couple of hundred kilobits per second make it suitable only for e-mail without attachments or simple text pages.
Which devices are affected
| Device type | Effect of a 3G switch-off |
|---|---|
| 3G-only USB sticks (E220, E173, MF190...) | No mobile broadband; at best slow 2G |
| 3G pocket hotspots (MiFi 2352...) | Same as sticks |
| 3G desktop routers (GlobeSurfer...) | Same as sticks |
| Early 4G sticks (AirCard 313U...) | Work if the LTE bands match the network |
| Phones without 4G calling | May lose voice calls as well as data |
Choosing a replacement
If you still want a separate device rather than your phone's hotspot, look for a 4G or 5G router or stick that lists your operator's bands. Check whether it is sold unlocked, and prefer models from makers that still publish firmware updates, since security fixes matter for anything connected to the internet.
The gain is more than speed. Latency on 4G is typically a fraction of what it was on 3G, which makes video calls, online games and anything live, from match streams to in-play odds, feel immediate rather than a step behind.
What to do with the old ones
Old modems are small electronics and belong in electronic waste collection, not household rubbish. Remove the SIM and any memory card first. If you are a collector, keep one or two: the white Huawei pebbles and slider sticks are already becoming small pieces of computing history.
