3G shutdown in Switzerland: affected devices and next steps
3G has been permanently switched off in Switzerland. Find out which devices are affected, what to do if your phone is incompatible, and how MaxiConnect supports its customers through the transition.
It is official: the 3G network has been permanently shut down in Switzerland. Following the closure of 2G a few years ago, it is now 3G’s turn to disappear, making way for 4G and 5G, which now cover virtually the entire Swiss territory.
Why shut down 3G?
Shutting down 3G allows operators to free up radio frequencies and reassign them to 4G and 5G, which are far more efficient. In practical terms:
- More capacity: the freed frequencies improve the quality of the 4G/5G network
- Lower energy consumption: maintaining multiple networks simultaneously is costly
- Better call quality: with the deployment of VoLTE (Voice over LTE), calls travel over 4G with superior quality
Which devices are affected?
The devices affected are those that only support 3G or older standards:
- Phones purchased before approximately 2015
- Certain older smartwatches or IoT devices
- Older industrial modems or routers
If your phone supports 4G (which is the case for the vast majority of devices sold since 2015), you will not notice any difference — the transition is seamless.
VoLTE: calls over 4G
An important change accompanies the end of 3G: the switch to VoLTE calls (Voice over LTE). Previously, even 4G-capable devices could fall back to 3G for voice calls. This is no longer possible.
MaxiConnect deployed VoLTE on its network before the official 3G shutdown, ensuring service continuity for all its customers. If your device supports 4G and VoLTE (which is the case for practically all modern smartphones), your calls work as normal.
What to do if you have an older device?
If you are still using a phone that only supports 3G:
- Check whether your device supports 4G in its technical specifications
- Test: if you no longer have any network at all, this is likely related to this change
- Contact us: our team can advise you on a suitable replacement for your needs
MaxiConnect and the dual network
At MaxiConnect, we operate on two mobile networks — Swisscom and Salt — to guarantee you the best possible coverage. Both networks have completed their 3G shutdown and offer extensive 4G and 5G coverage across the entire Swiss territory.
Questions about your device’s compatibility? Contact us — we are here to help. 📞 +41 58 521 32 00 — 📧 hello@maxiconnect.ch