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People who use 4G will have to update to 5G in the next few years (stock image)Credit: Getty
T-Mobile is set to slowly ditch its 4G network, according to leaked internal documents obtained by The Mobile Report.
The LTE phase-out is set to start early next year.
The carrier plans to force most of its 4G infrastructure offline by 2028.
T-Mobile plans to carry this out to encourage customers to switch to 5G Standalone.
LTE won’t disappear all at once, but the internal memo said the network will go offline after 2035.
Plus, LTE will be slower and perform worse as the LTE spectrum is “re-farmed,” the memo said.
This means that after January 1, 2026, activating LTE or 5G NSA will require special permission.
Until 2035, the backup network will stay available for devices that can’t switch to 5G immediately.
A small 5 MHz LTE channel will be the only one left for old devices.
T-Mobile reassured customers that they won’t have to update right away.
“We’re always evaluating the best and most efficient use of the assets that make T-Mobile the Best Mobile Network in America,” a T-Mobile spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.
“Someday far in the future – years and years from now – we’ll likely consolidate older technologies like LTE to make room for the latest and greatest, including 5G and beyond.”
The spokesperson continued, “For now, the T-Mobile network — with its extensive LTE footprint and industry-leading 5G, has more than enough capacity to handle the heavy data demands of the modern wireless user.”
The carrier recently joined Verizon and AT&T in slapping customers with new fees.
Starting on November 1, all T-Mobile customers will have to pay a $10 penalty.
Plus, if 5% of the past due balance is more than $10, they’ll have to pay that percentage instead.
But T-Mobile customers in some states might pay less, depending on your phone plan.
It comes as T-Mobile’s new CEO also recently issued a brutal change for customers.
Plus, President Donald Trump launched a $499 “made in the USA” phone this summer with 5G cellular service.