SaskTel to shut down its 3G network

SaskTel is following the lead of other cell providers and taking its 3G network offline as of Oct. 1, 2027.

The Crown Corporation said 3G devices will stop working on its network, and devices that aren’t VoLTE compatible won’t have voice services anymore.

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“We remain firmly committed to delivering high-quality and reliable communications services to the people of Saskatchewan, however as technology and customer needs evolve, it becomes necessary to turn down legacy networks,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel president and CEO, in a news release.

“Once the 3G network is turned down, we will be able to repurpose our 3G spectrum to add capacity to our other networks and refocus resources towards new and emerging technologies.”

SaskTel said 3G technology is being phased out around the world and the devices and equipment are getting more expensive to repair and difficult to source.

The company’s roaming partners have already started to shut their own 3G networks – providers in Manitoba started their shutdown at the end of 2025. SaskTel said its customers still using 3G and don’t have a VoLTE-capable device won’t be able to make or receive voice calls, and may not have text or data service.

In the U.S., most 3G networks were shut down in 2022, and several other countries internationally have or will soon shut down their 3G networks.

The Crown corporation is encouraging customers to switch over to 4G LTE and 5G networks.