3G is a mobile technology which is one generation older than 4G. 3G has lower data rates than 4G and it is more complex to maintain. On the other hand, 4G and 5G networks offer significantly faster download and upload, allowing customers to access content and services more quickly. 4G and 5G networks are more reliable than 3G networks, providing customers with a more consistent connection. 4G and 5G networks offer lower latency, meaning customers can experience faster response times when accessing services. Finally,4G and 5G networks offer increased capacity, allowing customers to access more services at the same time.

3G networks are being phased out and replaced with available 4G and 5G networks. 3G technology is currently considered outdated and not required by modern network operation, and not offering our customers with the full potential of services. Deploying new generation technologies offers increased capacity, allowing customers to access more services at the same time.

While seamlessly shutting down an existing technology we need to ensure the existing subscribers do not face any disruptions in service. This requires many preparations to ensure that there are replacement technologies/handsets/devices available for the subscribers when this is done. Hence the 3G sunset is being announced now so that everyone knows of the coming change and remains prepared, although, the internal preparation actually started a lot earlier.

3G will be shut down over the whole Sultanate eventually, however, the activity is being planned in a way that there should not be any location that experiences a negative impact after 3G shutdown.

A normal subscriber who has a VoLTE capable phone will experience no change at all. However, subscribers who do not have a VoLTE phone will be using 2G for voice, which is also stable but slightly lower in voice quality.

Phones that only support 3G will not work. Phones that support 2G/3G will experience a stark reduction in data rates  and very small reduction in voice quality. Customers are advised to upgrade to the new networks as soon as possible.

Replace the old 3G device with one that preferably supports 5G/4G/VoLTE or at least supports 4G/VoLTE.

The technology capability of any phone model can be checked online at websites such as https://www.gsmarena.com/
etc.

The technology capability of any phone model can be checked online at websites such as https://www.gsmarena.com/
etc.

Replace the old 3G device with one that preferably supports 5G/4G/VoLTE or at least supports 4G/VoLTE.

Smart watches will not be affected.

If the Laptop or tablet has a sim slot and is connected to the network then the technology capability must be checked to confirm if it can connect to 4G + 5G

SIM cards won’t require to be changed.

Home Internet will not be affected by 3G shutdown.

In some instances, VoLTE is manually disabled on the device although the device supports VoLTE. In such cases VoLTE would need to be enabled to allow voice calls on 4G. Besides this there is no other change required on 4G devices.

If your device is 3G only or 2G/3G, then it will affect, as explained in the questions above.
If your device is VoLTE/4G/5G capable then it will not affect.

There are no services that are exclusive to 3G. In fact all services perform better on 4G as compared to 3G, because of benefits like faster speeds, better coverage, and more reliable connections.

VoLTE is the acronym for Voice Over LTE. It is the technology which enables voice calls to be made on a 4G network through a data connection.

VoLTE settings are normally in “Settings → Connections” where it can be enabled or disables, however instructions can be found online for all mobile models.