AT&T Shuts Down Its 2G Network, Kills Internet Connectivity for the Original iPhone

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Posted January 17, 2017 at 9:14pm by iClarified

AT&T has shut down its 2G network killing Internet connectivity for the original iPhone in the process.

The company made an announcement about the shutdown yesterday, although the network was actually discontinued on January 1st.

To help support the massive growth of mobile internet usage and free up spectrum for newer technologies, we discontinued service on our 2G wireless networks Jan. 1, 2017.

The plan to shut down 2G was first announced four years ago and aims to make way for newer technologies.

Today, our 3G and 4G LTE networks cover 99% of Americans. By shutting down our 2G network, this frees up more spectrum for future network technologies, including 5G. In the next few months, we plan to repurpose that spectrum for LTE.

The retirement of our 2G network – like our earlier retirement of the analog wireless network – is part of our 5G Evolution, which includes continued deployment of our 4G LTE and other technologies in the years to come.

The news comes just as Apple celebrated the tenth anniversary of the iPhone eight days ago. Do you still have an iPhone 2G that worked on AT&T? Let us know in the comments!

Read More [via Verge, MacRumors]

AT&T Shuts Down Its 2G Network, Kills Internet Connectivity for the Original iPhone

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Evas10n - January 22, 2017 at 11:46pm

NOSTALGIA !!!!

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maxwell93 - January 22, 2017 at 4:31pm

Funnily enough I dug out my original iPhone to use as a music player only a few days ago. I have to say it is still my favourite version. size, weight, curvature of the sides, the feel of the phone was aced first time around. Why oh why can't Apple produce a 10th Anniversary edition of that phoe but with todays specifications, screen resolution, 4G and best of all, there would be room for a huge battery giving the phone enough juice for a week. Sad it will never happen.

Van G - January 18, 2017 at 6:07pm

Middle East, like many places on planet, has a much better data coverage than North America.

Abe - January 18, 2017 at 4:41am

I'm sure you can still jailbreak/unlock it and use it on metro/T-Mobile if you really wanted to. But T-Mobile will eventually shut down their 2g service as well

MUKAI - January 17, 2017 at 11:17pm

So I'm stuck using wifi on it? How can my collectible be obsolete without its edge

JAYBRO - January 17, 2017 at 10:05pm

What the hell?!?!? Just confirmed on my iPhone 2G...Am I the only one using an iPhone 2G?????

Rick - January 17, 2017 at 9:43pm

I have a collection of all iPhones released to date. I will check my 2g and see if it pick up service anymore.

cerne - January 18, 2017 at 7:19am

I also Have the first Iphone Mint condition in the box my 2G still works on it