Sprint/T-Mobile announced earlier this year that they will be shutting down their 3G service in January of 2022.
That means that any Sprint/T-Mobile devices that only work with 3G -- including the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 -- will no longer work after February of next year.
The 3G shutdown affects millions of Americans who rely on devices like the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 to power their landline phones. As they shut down 3G, Sprint is also shutting down traditional copper wire phone service across the country.
The bottom line is, folks who want to continue using a landline phone will need to switch to a device and service plan that supports access to 4G and 5G coverage.
If you use the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3. or are considering purchasing one, read on to see how this shutdown will affect you, and most importantly, what you can do to prepare.
Just give me the highlights
- The Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 with 3G. AT&T is shutting down their 3G service in January of 2022
- When Sprint/T-Mobile shuts down their 3G service, the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 will no longer work
- Because Sprint/T-Mobile are also shutting down their copper wire cable landline service across the country, your best bet for continuing to use your landline phone is to get another landline alternative that works with 4G and 5G
- Community Phone offers an alternative to traditional landline service that works like the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3, but connects you to the strongest cell towers in your area, both 4G and 5G.
What is the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3?
The Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 is a wireless home phone base that allows you to connect your landline phone to cell towers in your area.
The devices work by inserting a sim card into a slot on the base. The sim card connects the device to 3G cell towers. The only set up required is to:
- Plug the device into a power outlet
- Plug your landline phone into a jack on the base
Once the device and your phone are plugged in, you will be able to make and receive phone calls to and from your landline phone with 3G cell service.
The device is portable, and will work anywhere you have power and cell service.
Why are the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 being phased out?
The Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 are being phased out because it only works on 3G networks. Sprint is shutting down their 3G network to make way for new investments in 5G.
Sprint (as well as most other carriers) has delayed the date of their shutdown, but it looks like this January will be the last nail in the coffin for 3G. According to Sprint, they are “retiring the older Sprint 3G network to free up resources and spectrum as we combine Sprint’s assets with T-Mobile’s to help us strengthen our entire network to deliver a transformative 5G network experience.”
The reason why the existence of 3G affects the rollout of 5G is because Sprint will be repurposing infrastructure currently in use for 3G to support 5G, rather than rebuild this infrastructure and continue supporting both.
When will the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 stop working?
Sprint will shut down their 3G service in January, 2022. This roughly matches with when AT&T will shut down their 3G service as well.
What will happen the day Sprint shuts down their 3G network?
On the day of the shutdown, the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3 will stop working completely. You will no longer be able to make or receive calls through the device.
What can I do to prepare for the 3G shutdown?
Because Sprint and other providers are also shutting down their copper wire landline service along with 3G, your best bet to continue using your landline phone is to purchase a device that connects your landline phone to 4G or 5G networks.
Although 5G is becoming the primary focus of providers like Sprint, they will continue to support 4G for at least another 10 years.
At Community Phone, we offer a device that works similarly to the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3, but connects your landline phone to the strongest network available in your area (4G or 5G).
We also provide you with a sim card and the monthly wireless service that powers your connection.
The device -- or, the Landline Base -- is a one-time, up-front fee of $99. We’ll ship you the base for free within 5 - 7 business days.
Included with the base is a sim card, which connects the base to cell towers in your area. The cost of ongoing service is $39/month.
Once you have the device, simply plug the base into a power outlet, and plug your landline phone into a wireless phone jack on the base.
That’s it. You’re ready to make and receive unlimited local and long distance calls within the United States.
The device does not require internet, and has a backup battery that keeps its charge for up to 10 hours. That means your phone will work during a power outage. (Cell towers still work during power outages due to backup generators.)
If you already have a landline phone, our device will almost certainly work just fine with it. You can also purchase a new landline phone with us, when you purchase your base.
We can set you up with a new, local number of your choosing, or transfer your existing number over to our service.
If you have any issues with transferring your number or getting your service set up, our customer support team is available by phone or email… without having to navigate a phone tree and sit on hold for hours.
And if you decide it’s not the right fit, you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund, and there are no contracts.
Make the switch before it’s too late
If you are using the Sprint Home Phone Connect 3, it will stop working at the end of 2022. Community Phone’s landline service is the best, most cost-effective alternative. Click here to learn more and get started today, or give us a call at 617-431-5887 to chat with a landline specialist.