Will 2G phone work on 3G network?

Hi @Amydn16 

If the phone only supports 2G networks but the area is 3G it might not work at all or at best it'll only work for phone calls. Your best solution will be to choose a phone that supports a 3G network.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you,

Dmitriy

Hi Dmitriy,

Thank you for answering my question. Is it true that AT&T will shut down all 2G networks by 2016?

Hi @Amydn16 

I don't know the exact time frame, but eventually yes, older 2G network will be shut down to free up spectrum and resources for future developments.

Thanks,

Dmitriy

I really like the security of my flip phone and would love to keep using it, even though it's a 2G phone.  I don't need the bells and whistles on the newer phone and only use my flip phone for talk only.  Also I don't have a secure place to keep my phone when I am on travle as the flip phone by being in my front pocket.  Is there anyway my 2G phone will keep working as a talk phone goes without being forced into buying another phone when this one is working just fine?

Skip

You can replace the 2G flip phone with a 3G flip phone and go on as you have for the past 10 years.  You do not have to have a screen or a 4G phone.

I have seen phones with "3G data capabilities".  Does that mean it will work after ATT discontinues 2G service at the end of this year?

Also, to switch to a 3G phone, does that require a new SIM, different from the one in my 2G phone?

If you have a 2G only phone, which is unlikely, you would need a new SIM card.  

In order to work on ATT a phone needs to have 3G bands 850 and 1900. Not all phones will work on ATT, so choose one that is ATT compatible.

You don't have to buy from ATT.  Amazon has several ATT Gophone, so does Best Buy.