3G technology is gradually being turned off in Latvia; this may cause problems for some users / Article

The rollout of 3G practically started last year, starting with the places with the lowest number of users of the technology.

“Last year, 3G technology was switched off in Kurzeme region, and at the beginning of this year in Daugavpils, Aizkraukle, Augšdaugava, Bauskas, Jēkabpils, Līvāni, Preiļi and Varakļani regions,” said Ilze Saulīte, director of LMT’s Private Person Service.

“Tele2” is only going to do that in the next few days.

“The end of April will be the moment when the first 3G network stations will be switched off. The first parishes where this will happen are in Ludza, Madona, Alūksne and Balvu counties,” revealed Tele2’s public relations manager Oskars Fīrmanis.

Although the operators indicate that the majority of the population will not feel this transition, there is still a certain part of society that may be affected by this process.

“There could be customers who have devices that only have 3G, for example no 4G or 5G.

If the customer is currently in a place where he uses the internet with his device, but slow internet 3G technology, then when this 3G technology is turned off, this device will no longer work in 3G technology – the Internet will not be available,” admitted Ilze Saulīte, director of LMT’s Private Service Service.

“Tele2” public relations manager Oskars Fīrmanis said that “there are customers who may have old SIM cards in their mobile phones that work only in the 3G network. If the customer uses mobile data or internet on the phone even a little, then after the 3G network is closed, the internet may not work on the phone “.

3G disconnection can also cause problems for those who live on the border between 3G, 4 and 5G.

It is for Mārtiņš, whose holiday home is located in a place where until now there was normal coverage of mobile networks, but now communications are practically unavailable.

“In the room at times it appears that emergency calls are available, when walking outside, it is possible to find somewhere in the yard where you can receive and call, but the Internet outside is very troublesome. This affects the fact that the Internet and telephone communications are troublesome. Amplifying equipment is also not possible to use,” said Mārtiņš, the owner of the country house.

However, mobile operators indicate that some percent of the population in Latvia have such problems. In recent years, the consumption of 4G and 5G has grown several times. After 3G is completely switched off at the end of next year, the next step is to switch off 2G as well.