Google Fi is offering a $100 credit to help customers upgrade their smartphones since the provider will cease activating non-voice over LTE (VoLTE) devices in January.
The limited-time credit will be available to assist customers with a seamless transition from 3G, 9to5Google reports. VoLTE is the current mobile standard that handles phone calls over LTE data instead of 3G. Most older smartphones aren’t capable of supporting VoLTE. That means customers with older phones will no longer be able to use their devices once 3G is phased out.
Providers like T-Mobile and AT&T are working toward shutting their 3G networks down. T-Mobile’s shutdown is happening in February 2021, while AT&T customers won’t need to worry about upgrading until February 2022.
Google Fi, as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that doesn’t own its own wireless structure, has no choice but to follow suit. Fi works off of T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular’s networks, which means its customers will need to buy new phones.
Google’s $100 credit should help ease the financial burden of buying a new phone. There are several affordable, Fi-compatible smartphones from Google that will do the trick.
Customers must buy and activate a new phone from the Fi store before December 31 to be eligible for the credit. Purchasing a new device from the Fi store isn’t required to remain a customer, but it is the only way to pocket the $100. The most important thing is that Fi customers activate a VoLTE-capable phone by January. That way, service interruptions can be avoided and the transition from 3G can be a much smoother one.
