AT&T Pushes Its Customers To Upgrade From 2G Network, Phones

AT&T wants customers using older 2G phones to upgrade.

In recent weeks, the carrier has begun sending out notices to some customers still accessing the erstwhile cellular network to swap out their devices for newer ones that can run on 3G networks. "Your current, older-model 2G phone might not be able to make or receive calls and you may experience degradation of your wireless service in certain areas," AT&T cautioned in the letter. An AT&T spokesman, Mark Siegel, said the carrier hoped to use some of the 2G spectrum for new technologies. The carrier is spending billions to build out a new, fourth-generation mobile broadband network and to bolster its 3G service with a speedier technology known as HSPA+. It is racing to keep pace with rival Verizon Wireless, which has rolled out 4G LTE to cover nearly triple the number of Americans AT&T reaches today. "We're simply urging them to upgrade to a new device if they want to," Siegel said. Siegel said the carrier sent the notices to customers in the New York metropolitan area and may send them to other customers. He noted the program was voluntary, affected a small number of subscribers and most 2G phones would continue to work.