RIGA, Dec 5 (LETA) - Telecommunications company Tele2 plans to shut down 3G technologies in several locations in Latvia in mid-December this year, the company's representatives told LETA.

3G technologies will be shut down in Aizkraukle, Auce, Broceni, Dobele, Jekabpils, Kegums, Lielvarde, Livani, Saldus, Tukums and Viesite. 3G technologies will also no longer be available in Aizkraukle, Bauska, Dobele, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Livani, Ogre, Tukums and Saldus regions, as well as in Jurmala - Jaunkemeri and Kemeri.

According to the company, 3G technologies are being shut down to use frequencies for 4G and 5G network development.

Tele2 representatives mention that 3G is currently no longer able to compete with newer generations of mobile technologies and is not suitable for today's mobile usage habits.

The company also points out that currently 1 percent of mobile data is consumed on 3G networks, and more and more customers are making voice calls on 4G networks using VoLTE technology. As a result, voice calls will now be made over 2G and 4G networks using VoLTE technology and the company's customers will soon be able to use VoWiFi technology to make voice calls over WiFi.

According to the company, Tele2 has informed and will continue to inform those customers who have phones supporting only 2G and 3G technology or have 3G SIM cards inserted in their devices about the plans. The company encourages customers who receive an individual message from Tele2 about the need to replace their SIM card or device to do so in good time.

Customers with smartphones manufactured in the last three to four years that operate in 4G or 5G mode will not be affected. However, Tele2 customers who are still using, for example, older generation handsets and have not changed their SIM card for many years are invited to visit https://www.tele2.lv/3g/ or contact a Tele2 customer service center to check the validity of their SIM card and change it, and if necessary to purchase a newer handset.

For example, seniors who need their mobile phones only for making calls because they do not use mobile internet will be able to continue using their existing phones, as calls will be made on the 2G network, the company adds.

Tele2 plans to phase out 3G technology throughout Latvia by 2025 in order to use frequencies, which are a limited resource, for 4G and 5G network development.

3G technology has already been previously shut down in Aluksne, Balvi, Cesis, Cesvaine, Daugavpils, Dagda, Gulbene, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Liepaja, Limbazi, Ludza, Madona, Preili, Rezekne, Talsi, Smiltene, Valmiera, Ventspils, as well as in municipalities in Aizkraukle, Augsdaugava, Aluksne, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, South Kurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Ludza, Livani, Madona, Ogre, Rezekne, Preili, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils, Saldus, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Ventspils, Saldus and Smiltene regions. The technology has also been closed in several neighborhoods in Jurmala.

As reported, Tele2's turnover last year was EUR 180.297 million last year, which is 8.7 percent more than a year earlier, while the company's profit increased by 40.8 percent to EUR 46.629 million.

The company was registered in November 1995 with a share capital of EUR 3.486 million. Tele2 is solely owned by Tele2 Sverige of Sweden.