Two mobile operators are switching off their 3G network in Slovakia.

Mobile operators Slovak Telekom and Orange Slovensko are gearing up to switch off their 3G networks. The main reason is to free up the frequency bandwidth to improve the quality of newer, faster generations of mobile networks. In addition, 3G is less energy efficient than 4G and 5G.

Slovak Telekom switched off its 3G network in the districts of Zlate Moravce and A1/2arnovica at the beginning of October. It plans to gradually switch off its 3G network throughout Slovakia in two phases in the second half of November. In 38 districts in central and eastern Slovakia, the 3G network will be switched off on November 21. In and around Bratislava and the rest of western and central Slovakia, the operator will switch off the older network on November 23.

The most affected will be the clients who only have a mobile phone with support for this network and use data on the mobile phone. After the end of the 3G network, they will only be able to surf over the 2G network, which delivers very low speeds. The solution is device replacement.

Slovak Telekom claims that traffic on the 3G network has been gradually reduced to a minimum and that customers have already switched to 4G or 5G. For clients who use only voice and SMS services, they will continue to be able to use the 2G network.

Slovak Telekom has made a verifier, in Slovak, to see if they need to swap their SIM card to connect to a 4G or 5G network. In the same way, clients will also find out if they have a device that supports newer networks. If they have an unsupported card, they can apply online for the free delivery of a new one.

'If a customer has an old SIM card, it will need to be replaced in a shop...