Google Fi is offering $ 100 to upgrade your 3G phone before it stops working

Google Fi will stop activating non-VoLTE phones in January and will encourage customers with older phones to upgrade with $ 100 credit as long as they purchase a new phone from the Fi store and activate it. before December 31, 9to5Google reports.

Google’s hand is forced in this matter. Customers subscribe to Fi, but as an MVNO, Fi actually uses T-Mobile and US Cellular networks to provide coverage. Since T-Mobile has already announced its own plans to phase out support for non-VoLTE phones from January 2021, Fi must do so as well.

VoLTE stands for “Voice over LTE,” which involves handling phone calls over LTE data rather than older 3G technology. VoLTE calls are generally clearer, with fewer connection drops, although they are completely unavailable for older phones that only use 3G radios and even some of the early LTE models. Google stopped activating 2G and 3G phones on August 4 of this year according to the Fi FAQ, but requiring VoLTE guarantees almost everyday 3G is numbered.

There isn’t a specific date for the end of 3G service at Fi, but it does happen, and until Google makes an official announcement, your best bet is to find out when T-Mobile will end its coverage. T-Mobile has gained great influence over what Fi can offer when purchasing Sprint, giving it control over the two largest networks that Fi relies on.

There are actually a few inexpensive options on the Fi store that could serve as a quick fix. We like Google’s Pixel 4a, which normally sells for $ 349, but there are also options you could get for under $ 100 with Google’s current vacation promotion.

Upgrading to better cell service is a long-term good for the usability of phones, but it’s a downside for customers. Verizon already made its switch some time ago, phasing out elements of 3G services in favor of LTE and 5G over time. AT&T and T-Mobile’s plans are a bit steeper. The focus is on upgrading to 5G, which seems to be driving all of this, which is particularly inconvenient as around 30 million Americans were still using 3G exclusively as of 2019. Unless customers can move on to the upgrade, they might be left behind.