Telefónica Germany to Start 3G Network Shut Down in July

Starting 1 July, Telefónica Deutschland / O2 (Telefonica Germany) will begin the large-scale shutdown of its 3G network which it launched in 2004, announced the operator recently. 

The resources previously required for 3G will make way for 4G network by the end of the year. To this end, the operator said it will use the frequencies of the currently around 16,000 3G transmitters on 2,100 MHz for 4G in the future. O2 customers as well as customers of Telefónica Deutschland's other own and partner brands will thus benefit from an even better network experience. 

Telefónica Deutschland / O2 will begin the full rededication of the first 500 3G sites on 1 July. Two weeks later, another 1,000 sites will follow. Regions in Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will be the first to benefit from the 3G switch-off and thus from an even better developed 4G network. 

Telefónica Deutschland / O2 said it plans to reallocate a further 9,500 or so sites by the end of September 2021. As a result, the company will be able to provide full 4G coverage at two-thirds of all previous 3G sites by late summer. The last 4,500 or so 3G sites will follow by early December.

This year, O2 will ignite the 5G expansion turbo. By the end of the year, 5G in the O2 network should be available for over 30 percent of the population, and by 2025 for the whole of Germany. The company has already deployed over 1,300 5G antennas on 3.6 GHz in its 5G network, which will increase to over 6,000 5G antennas until year-end. In addition, the provider will also implement 5G on 700 MHz and 1800 MHz this year to cover more regions and especially rural areas with 5G. In parallel, O2 is closing the last 4G coverage gaps by upgrading sites with 4G for the first time or building completely new ones in white spots.