Remember 3G? It's going away as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile shift to 5G. What to know about 3G shutdown

As the shift toward 5G wireless connectivity continues, we're getting closer to the end of 3G. In 2002, Verizon was the first to launch a 3G network in the U.S., during a time when the BlackBerry was the top smartphone to own and we were five years away from the arrival of the iPhone. At that time, we were mainly using our phones for texting, taking pictures, and calling people. Almost 20 years later, our smartphones now allow us to carry a miniature computer in our pocket, capable of email, photos, social media, watching TV, gaming, video calls – you name it. Those added features mean having wireless networks to support them. As AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile usher in the 5G era, they're also about to end their support for 3G. Here's what the farewell to 3G means for you.