SaskTel has officially set a deadline for its aging 3G network, announcing that the service will be fully shut down on October 1, 2027. After this date, any device that relies on 3G will stop working on both SaskTel and Lüm Mobile.
The change also affects older 4G phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE). While these devices might still handle data, they will lose the ability to make or receive voice calls, including emergency calls to 911. SaskTel is urging customers to upgrade to newer 4G LTE or 5G hardware well before the 2027 deadline to avoid a sudden loss of service.
The company explained that 3G technology is becoming obsolete globally, making it difficult and expensive to find spare parts for repairs. By turning off the old network, SaskTel can take the wireless frequencies previously used for 3G and redirect them to improve the speed and capacity of its 5G and 5G+ networks.
SaskTel President and CEO Charlene Gavel noted that as technology evolves, the company must focus its resources on newer systems to remain reliable. The transition is already being felt by residents who travel, as many of SaskTel’s roaming partners across Canada and the U.S. have already shut down their own 3G towers.
A SaskTel spokesperson confirmed the urgency of the move to iPhone in Canada on Tuesday, stating, “We remain firmly committed to delivering high-quality and reliable communications services to the people of Saskatchewan, however as technology and customer needs evolve, it becomes necessary to turn down legacy networks,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO.
Customers currently using 3G-only devices or older phones without VoLTE should visit a SaskTel dealer to discuss upgrade options and ensure their SIM cards are compatible with newer standards.
It’s not just SaskTel that is ending its 3G network. Carriers such as Rogers, Telus and Bell are also sunsetting their legacy 3G networks as well, a move following other telecoms worldwide doing the same.
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