When will au 3G mobile phones become unusable? Introducing the end date, target models, procedures for continuous use, etc. | TIME & SPACE by KDDI

By : ilikephone / On : 04/04/2022

Au's 3G mobile phone, whose service will end in March 2022. Not all mobile phones will be unavailable, but is there anyone who is using the target mobile phone and has not yet completed the procedure? Also, even if you are not the target, there may be people around you, such as your parents, who are the target, or people who do not yet know that it will end in the first place. When the day of the wave stop comes, the target mobile phone will not be able to make or receive calls, so what kind of procedure should be taken to continue using it? Introducing detailed contents about 3G stoppage, how to check the target mobile phone, and how to deal with it.

First of all, let's understand the correct contents such as what will end and when, and which mobile phone will not be usable.

This time, the service will be terminated for au's 3G mobile phone service "CDMA 1X WIN." The end date is March 31, 2022. With this termination, CDMA 1X WIN compatible models and some models that do not support voice call service VoLTE will not be available.

It is important to note that not only so-called feature phones, but also iPhone 4S-5S, 5c, some Android smartphones, early simple mobile phones and data terminals for communication will be subject to termination. Regardless of the model such as feature phones, smartphones, mobile routers, 3G compatible models and 4G compatible models that do not support his VoLTE will all be discontinued. Also, depending on the content of the report, it is possible that all the feature phones will be terminated, but please be assured that 4G mobile phones that support VoLTE will continue to be available for feature phones.

As a guide, models released in February 2015 are subject to this service termination, and not only au but also some services of UQ mobile using au lines will not be available, so around that point If you are using the model you purchased, please check the target model list page here to see if it applies.

In addition, along with the 3G wave stoppage, the rate plans provided for the target models and some au services will also be terminated. Some of the latest mobile phones, such as EZ Navi Walk, EZ Passenger Seat Navi, and EZ News EX, continue to offer equivalent services, but if you are currently using it, please check the information on the service site.

So what should people who want to continue using? By March 31, 2022, when the 3G service will end, it is necessary to switch to a 4G LTE or 5G compatible model that supports VoLTE.

As a model selection option, not only the latest smartphones but also 4G / 5G compatible mobile phones with numeric keypad buttons are available, so it is a good idea to find a model that suits you and change the model. Below, for reference, some models recommended by the editorial department are introduced.

▼ People who want to continue using a mobile phone with a numeric keypad ・ G'zOne TYPE-XX: A mobile phone recommended for those who seek toughness performance such as those who climb hard mountains and play sports ・ INFOBAR xv: A mobile phone that emphasizes design

▼ People who want to make a simpler mobile phone ・ Easy mobile phone Light: A mobile phone that is easy to see, hear, and use ・ GRATINA KYF42: A mobile phone that is easy to see, hear, and push

▼ People who want to use smartphones with this as an opportunity There are roughly two types of smartphones, iPhone and Android, but recently, many seniors choose iPhone instead of simple mobile phone. In terms of being able to ask how to use it immediately when in trouble, it is better to have an iPhone if there are many people using the iPhone around, and the same Android smartphone if there are many people using Android smartphones. You can check the latest model on this site.

Only for those who are eligible for this service termination, there are also advantageous rate plans and model fee discounts that can be used when changing models, so check the information from au.

You can change the model at a nearby au shop / au Style or au online shop. Those who come to the store and want to make a decision while consulting with the staff should go through the procedure at the store, and those who are accustomed to online should go through the online shop.

・ How to reserve a visit to a nearby au shop / au Style Currently, many shops require a complete reservation, so make a reservation in advance on the website or app by following the instructions on the page below. Of course, those who are not good at operating on the WEB or apps can make reservations from the support window described later.

・ Procedures at the au online shop If you use the online shop, you can apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at any time you like, without waiting. For those who use the online shop for the first time, there is also a "first online shop course" site that explains how to use it, so it is a good idea to check in advance. If you have any questions while applying at the online shop, you can ask the support center by message, so if you are accustomed to operating the web, we recommend you to go to the online shop.

Finally, I would like to introduce various support counters associated with the end of 3G services. Consultations regarding model changes and store visit reservations are also accepted at the following support desks. Congestion is expected near the deadline, so those who are interested should take care of it.

・ From au Customer Center au mobile phones: No area code 157 (free) From mobile phones other than au / landlines: Free call 0120-977-033 (free) Reception hours: 9: 00 ~ 20:00 (Open all year round)

[Customers using general terminals] ・ Corporate customer center toll-free number 0120-922-787 (free) Reception hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)

[Customers using communication module terminals] ・ Module support center toll-free number 0800-700-7016 (free) Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00 to 17:30 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and year-end and New Year holidays)

・ UQ Customer Center Free Call 0120-929-818 (free) Reception hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (open all year round)

Since the start of the 3G service, the convenience of mobile phones has been greatly improved, such as sending and receiving high-quality photos and videos by e-mail, and full DL of music and videos, but with the spread of 4G and 5G, the number of 3G users has decreased. It can be said that the role has been completed. With 4G and 5G, which are currently the mainstream, the communication speed has increased, and further improvements in convenience have been achieved, such as improved voice quality. In the future, I would like you to experience the convenience and enjoyment of 4G and 5G.