Why is the 3G network being shut down?
The 3G (or “third generation”) network was the one that really drove mobility at Videotron in its early days, in 2005. Since then, the company has continually invested in improving its network and rolling out the latest technology. This enables Videotron to meet consumers’ growing needs in terms of speed and performance.
The 3G network will be gradually phased out by all Canadian telecommunications providers. The resources this frees up will make room for more powerful technologies, such as LTE, 5G, and 5G+.
At Videotron, we plan to phase out the 3G network as of July 31, 2025.
3G around the world
Many countries, including the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe, have already begun or completed the process of retiring their 3G networks.
Good to know
Although the letters are similar, the name of the network (3G) has nothing to do with the data capacity included in your mobile plan (expressed in GB). 3G stands for “third generation,” while the acronym GB stands for “Gigabyte.”
What technology comes after 3G?
With the shuttering of 3G, the LTE network will be the only network used by Videotron to transmit calls. LTE is the most common wireless technology in Canada. It offers Internet speeds up to 15 times faster than 3G, as well as better audio quality. Calls will be transmitted over this network via the VoLTE feature.
When 3G is shut down, to make or receive calls across Canada, three conditions must be met:
- Have a VoLTE-compatible device
- Use a SIM card compatible with VoLTE
- Enable VoLTE on the device
To use the VoLTE feature outside Canada, you need to enable data roaming.
Warning: When 3G is shut down, you will no longer be able to call 911 if you use a mobile phone or a SIM card that is not VoLTE compatible. This is already the case when you are travelling in the United States.
What steps do I need to take before the 3G shutdown?
You should check if your phone is compatible with VoLTE. To do this, dial #TEST (#8378) on your phone free of charge.
- Do you hear a confirmation message? Everything is fine, you don’t have to do anything else.
- Does the line cut, or do you not hear the confirmation message? Contact Customer Service or visit us in-store to find out what action to take. You will be able to obtain a compatible SIM card free of charge or shop for a new phone, as applicable.
Pro tip
Check the status bar of your device when making a call. If you see 3G or 4G during the call, VoLTE is not enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 3G shutdown
Try performing all the VoLTE activation steps with a compatible phone. If the VoLTE feature does not appear, if you cannot enable it, or if it appears but you see 3G or 4G in the status bar during a call, the SIM card is not compatible.
To get a free VoLTE-compatible SIM card, contact us or visit us in-store.
When VoLTE is enabled on a compatible device, calls and text messages are transmitted through the data network. So data roaming must be enabled to ensure that calls are uninterrupted when you switch between our roaming networks.
Note: The data used by the VoLTE feature is not deducted from the data included in your Mobile plan.
The 3G network will be phased out as of July 31, 2025. We strongly recommend that you take the necessary steps now to avoid any inconveniences, such as not being able to make calls, exchange text messages, or contact 911.
What's more, switching to a VoLTE-compatible device and SIM card is essential if you're travelling to the US, where 3G is already out of service. If you are using a phone or SIM card that is not compatible with VoLTE, you cannot make an emergency call in that country.
Yes. The gradual 3G network phaseout applies to all Canadian service providers. In the US, all the main providers have already stopped supporting 3G.
Once other Canadian operators have withdrawn their 3G technology, some VoLTE-enabled devices may not be able to use voice and SMS. These devices are among the first VoLTE devices to be introduced on the market when Canadian networks were not yet fully upgraded. At the time, the VoLTE feature could only be used on the network of the operator that sold the device. As a result, some devices sold by Videotron during this period may only be compatible on Videotron’s VoLTE network (shown in yellow on our mobile coverage map).
The latest mobile devices are compatible with VoLTE technology on most networks in Canada.
Shop for a VoLTE-compatible device.
A device’s VoLTE certification is the result of a technical and commercial agreement between the manufacturer and the operator. Because each operator sets its own requirements and certifications, a given device may be compatible with VoLTE for one operator, but not for another.
Here are the reasons why compatibility may differ between operators:
- Separate certifications: Each operator must certify the compatibility of a given device with its own VoLTE network. If an operator has actively participated in this process and requested that the device be compatible with its VoLTE configuration, the phone will be able to use VoLTE on that operator’s network.
- Various VoLTE configurations: Operators may use slightly different technical configurations for their VoLTE service. A device that is certified with one operator may not be compatible with another operator’s configuration.
- Launch date: If an operator launches their VoLTE service and certifies a particular device, that device may not be compatible with another operator’s VoLTE if that operator has not yet launched their service or has not yet included that device in their certification process.
- Certification cycle: The certification process begins before the commercial launch of a device and can continue for a few months later. As a result, a device may be declared non-compatible with an operator’s VoLTE configuration at the end of its certification cycle. In such cases, it is rare for the manufacturer to modify the device afterwards to make it compatible.
Note: A phone that is not on our list of VoLTE-compatible devices could still have the VoLTE feature and be able to place calls on the LTE network. Videotron will not, under any circumstances, block or prevent the operation of VoLTE on a device that has not been certified by the company. If the device is compatible with Videotron’s VoLTE configuration, it will be able to make VoLTE calls. However, we cannot guarantee the proper functioning of that VoLTE service on our network.