T-Mobile has officially stopped operation of Sprint’s legacy 4G LTE network. T-Mobile also shuttered its older 3G UMTS network.
The moves were expected after T-Mobile publicized the plans last October, according to Android Headlines. T-Mobile confirmed to The Verge the network shutdowns began as scheduled.
T-Mobile acquired Sprint’s networks and towers when the companies merged in April 2020. That’s when T-Mobile laid out plans to shut down Sprint’s legacy 3G and 4G LTE networks. Sprint’s 3G network shut down this March, following a three-month delay, reported Inside Towers.
Sprint’s LTE network ceased operation as of June 30, and its 3G network as of July 1. Sprint’s 2G GSM network is still operational. T-Mobile hasn’t decided on an end date yet, according to Android Headlines.
T-Mobile said it’s easy to upgrade customers who were on Sprint’s LTE or T-Mobile’s 3G network with a SIM card swap because most Sprint LTE and 5G devices are compatible with T-Mobile’s LTE or 5G network. T-Mobile says it will provide free replacement devices for those whose smartphones are not compatible with its LTE or 5G network. “Customers who needed to take action as a result of these retirement efforts were notified well ahead of time and received an offer for a free 5G replacement device,” stated a T-Mobile spokesperson.
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