3G Network retirement – Everything you need to know

Once the 3G network is retired, your phone may start to experience the following disruptions before it stops working completely:

• • No calling, texting and data usage.
  • No or slow data.

Fido has sent emails and/or SMS notifications to customers who'll be impacted, with detailed instructions tailored to the situation. If you’ve received a communication, please review and follow the steps provided.

If you need further help, our specialized 3G team is here to help. Contact us at 1-855-720-9035 for support.

Verifying your device's compatibility  

To ensure your device will continue working after the 3G network shutdown, update your device’s operating system software, and verify its compatibility using the Device Compatibility Tool. This tool will help determine if your device is ready for our LTE and VoLTE networks.

Prefer to check manually?

If you're using a 3G-only mobile phone, you should always see a 3G network bar or an ‘H+’ icon in the top-right corner of your screen. Alternatively, you may see a 4G signal, but your phone lacks VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capabilities.

Steps to verify VoLTE capability:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks on your phone.
2. Check if VoLTE can be enabled.
   • If not, your device may not be VoLTE-capable and may need to be upgraded. Some newer Android devices don’t have the option to change this setting.
   • You won't get any charges by turning this feature on.

Why your phone shows 4G but it’s impacted by the 3G retirement 

• 4G LTE is designed for data services. To make voice calls over 4G, your device and carrier must support VoLTE.
• Without VoLTE, your phone will default to 3G or 2G for calls. 3G will no longer be supported after the 3G shutdown.
• To verify compatibility, use our Device Compatibility Tool or if you prefer to check it manually, visit Steps to Verify VoLTE Capability.

For assistance, contact us at 1-855-720-9035.

If you're impacted by the 3G network shutdown, there are three potential actions you may need to take. Detailed instructions tailored to your situation have been sent to you via email or SMS by Rogers. Please review these messages carefully and complete the necessary steps .

1. Update your device settings
2. Activate a New SIM Card
3. Upgrade Your Phone

Updating your device settings

Some devices are 4G/5G-enabled, but their current settings may force services to rely on the 3G network. To ensure your device can properly connect to our 4G/5G network, you’ll need to update your software and check your network/VoLTE settings. Follow the steps outlined on our network settings page.

Activating a New SIM Card

If you have an older 3G SIM card that isn't capable of running on a 4G/5G network, you'll receive a new SIM card in the mail. Learn more about 4G/5G SIM cards .

Follow these steps to activate your new SIM:

• Sign in to your Fido My account  
• Navigate to the usage section and select your phone number 
• Select Manage SIM in the My Device section 
• Click Change SIM and follow the prompts 

Upgrading Your Phone

Some older devices are unable to use 4G/5G networks, which means you need to upgrade to a new device. If this applies to you, you’ll receive an email or SMS notifying you of the need to upgrade. You can explore our $0 device options by contacting us at 1-855-720-9035 or visiting a Fido store.

What is the Legacy Network Usage charge?

• A new Legacy Network Usage charge of $3/month has been added to select customers’ accounts to help maintain our legacy networks.
• We continue to build our great 4G LTE network, delivering quality service to our customers. Our investments have resulted in improvements in speed, voice quality, and general connectivity. As technology improves, older equipment becomes outdated and requires decommissioning.
• In several countries around the world, and here in Canada mobile carriers are beginning to decommission their 3G networks. Fido is retiring our 3G network on July 31, 2025.
• As we move through this transition, we want to support customers currently using a mobile device on our legacy 2G and 3G networks who will be impacted by the network retirement, while recovering part of the costs associated with continuing to maintain our legacy systems.

What does this mean for me?

• Starting in May, we’ll assess customers’ usage and apply a $3/month charge accordingly. This is used to recover part of the cost of maintaining our legacy systems. This charge will apply monthly as long as your usage is on our 2G and 3G networks.
• You can avoid this charge by updating your device settings or switching to a 4G or 5G device.

What is this charge on my bill?

• This $3/month Legacy Network Usage charge will apply when usage is exclusively on our legacy network (3G or earlier) over a billing cycle. 
• The charge takes 60 days to appear on your bill. An SMS will be sent when it is applied.
• Information about the charge will appear in the Your Service Includes section of your bill.

I’m trying to keep my monthly costs down. What can I do to avoid this fee?

• We’re here to make sure you’re supported during this transition. To avoid this fee, you must update your device settings or upgrade to a 4G or 5G device. Contact us at 1-855-720-9035 to discuss options at no cost to you¹,. 
• Our goal is to get you onto our award-winning networks as soon as possible to ensure you have a better mobile experience.
• Once you update your device the $3 monthly charge will be removed.

1. With a 24-month financing agreement after promo credits, applied monthly on your bill as long as your financing agreement is in place.

What is VoLTE and why it matters?

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) allows you to make high-quality voice calls over the 4G LTE network. It'll be required for all voice services after the 3G network is retired. For more details on VoLTE and to find out how to check it’s enabled on your device, visit our network settings page.

If I upgrade my device, can I keep my same plan?

We're ensuring minimal disruption in this transition and in most cases, plans don't need to be changed. If they do, we'll ensure you pay a similar price you pay today. Contact us at 1-855-720-9035 to find out how to make the move.

How will I transfer my pictures and contacts to the new phone?

Store associates will be able to transfer your data for you, find your nearest store location.

Are there any 3G devices that still work?

No. Going forward, only 4G/VoLTE and 5G devices will be supported. Visit our list of compatible devices.

What if I’m unable to update my network settings as described?

If you’re having any issues updating your network settings, you can contact our specialized 3G migration team for assistance at 1-855-720-9035. If your settings can't be changed because your device can't use our 4G/5G network, our team will help you upgrade your device and plan for free. 

Why's my device showing as not compatible? 

Our network availability varies by frequency. Devices that support more frequencies, both within a network technology and across different network generations, will have access to more wireless coverage. If your device isn't showing as compatible, it might not support the frequency our 4G/5G networks require.

You can compare your device’s specifications to the network frequencies listed:

Are there specific services available for older or non-technical customers who need help upgrading?

We have a specialized 3G migration team to make this transition as smooth as possible. Our team will guide customers step by step and answer any additional questions you may have.

3G SIM card

How do I check if I'm on a 3G SIM card?

3G SIM cards start with 8930272040299 and lower. You can also look for a 3G network bar or 'H+' icon in the top corner of your mobile phone, and if your phone is on the compatible devices list, you need to upgrade your SIM. We'll send you a 5G SIM in the mail. Please contact us to activate it when it arrives.    

Do I need a new SIM card to go from 3G to 4G?

If you have an older 3G SIM card that isn't capable of running on a 4G/5G network, then yes, you'll need to change the SIM card. 

Is there a difference between a 3G SIM card and a 4G SIM card?

Yes, a 4G SIM can do everything that a 3G SIM can, but faster and smoother than ever before. Web pages load quicker, you can download content within seconds and streaming video and music is free of buffering. The SIM cards also differ in size. 3G devices typically use a mini/micro SIM and most 4G devices require a nano SIM.