Eir to shut down its 3G network
Summary
Irish Times tech correspondent Ciara O'Brien joins The Hard Shoulder to explain the upcoming shutdown of Ireland's 3G network by Airtel. The discussion covers the transition to 4G and 5G, noting that while 3G is outdated, 2G will remain for basic calls and texts. O'Brien advises listeners to check if their smartphones, medical devices, or smartwatches rely on 3G data, as these may require upgrades or replacement. The segment also briefly touches on the timeline for 6G availability in the 2030s.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Sherwin-Williams Super Sale
Intro: Air to switch off 3G network
Current usage and speed of 3G vs 4G
Impact of 3G shutdown and spectrum efficiency
Device compatibility and phone upgrades
Affected IoT devices and medical alarms
Advice for users and feature phones
Coverage dead zones and emergency 2G
Replacing 3G-dependent equipment
Timeline for 6G rollout
Outro and show credits
Sponsor: Sherwin-Williams Super Sale
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