R.I.P. 3G (rerun)

Today, we’re re-airing an episode from Jan. 20. Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks to open up more bandwidth for expanded 5G networks. On Feb. 22, AT&T will be the first carrier to end its 3G services. T-Mobile will shut down its network by July 1 and Verizon by the end of the year. Commercial 3G networks first started popping up in the early 2000s and were about 30 times faster than their 2G predecessors, opening the door for new technology — remember Palm Pilots and BlackBerrys? — and creating infrastructure for many of the apps we use today. Joanna Stern, who’s covered the coming shutdown for The Wall Street Journal, joins us to discuss. Marketplace is for public good, not for profit. We count on you, our listeners, to help cover the cost of the tech and business reporting you rely on. We’re going to remain free and accessible to everyone. That’s part of our mission. But if you’re in a position to donate, we’re counting on you. You can use this link to donate now.