NTT Docomo has been providing 3G mobile phone service since 2001. It is used in mobile phones known as “feature phones,” but the service will end at the end of March 2026, and from next month, 3G-compatible devices will no longer be usable at all. When we asked people on the street about their memories of that time…
■50s: “In the basement, there was no signal, so we would go above ground to contact the center, or extend something like an antenna to search for a signal.”
■30s: “When I was in high school, there was a kid who would play around by folding his cell phone backwards, and since you can’t do that with a smartphone, I have mischievous memories like that.”
■30s: “I used it when I was in high school. I liked EXILE, so I used to set my favorite music as my ringtone. When I think that there are generations that don’t know about this, I think it’s sad that it will completely disappear without them knowing anything about it.” NTT Docomo’s 3G service “FOMA” started in Hokkaido in April 2002. Its biggest feature was the dramatically faster “communication speed” compared to before. With the advent of “FOMA,” services that were previously impossible, such as video calls and the distribution of information like video and music, became available, and mobile phones ceased to be merely communication tools. Also, things that are commonplace now were possible…
■Reporter at the time: “If you hold your mobile phone screen close to the mobile phone authentication slot of a vending machine, you can buy soft drinks without inserting any money. This kind of service has just started.” A system that allows you to make purchases by displaying a barcode on your mobile phone and having the vending machine read it. It was a precursor to today’s “electronic payment.”
■User at the time: “I definitely want to do this when I buy juice.” “If I save up points in advance, I can buy juice even when I don’t have any money.” In addition, mobile phones were used as membership cards at video rental stores. By simply holding the phone over a special sensor at the store, identity verification was possible, eliminating the need to carry a membership card, and many people used it. Furthermore, a system was introduced that allowed customers to order food by sending an email to the store from their mobile phone.
■Reporter at the time: “I’m going to try using my mobile phone to order my favorite food.” The sent email was delivered to a computer in the kitchen, where the staff confirmed the order and brought the food to the table.
■Staff member at the time: “Excuse me. Here’s your cassis soda.”
■Reporter at the time: “Even though I didn’t exchange a single word with the staff, my order arrived as expected. Let’s eat. Delicious.”
■Store manager at the time: “Even elderly customers don’t mind sending emails, and everyone seems to find it quite interesting.” 3G service laid the foundation for features that are commonplace today, such as “cashless payments,” “digital membership cards,” and “mobile ordering.” And with the end of 3G service, another historic service will also come to an end: “i-mode,” which was launched in 1999. It was a groundbreaking service that allowed mobile phones to connect to the internet, but it will close its doors after more than a quarter of a century of history. Why is 3G service, which has spearheaded the digitalization of society, coming to an end? Experts say…
■Smartphone and mobile journalist Atsushi Ishikawa: “3G is an old technology that is already nearly 25 years old, so the aim is to remove the old equipment and switch to new technology as soon as possible to make communication more comfortable for users, which is why it’s being ended at this time. It’s a shame that an era is coming to an end, but on the other hand, with 4G being deployed nationwide and 5G rapidly evolving, there is still much to look forward to in the evolution of communication.”
The end of 3G service marks a passing of the baton to the future. The technology that supported the evolution of communication and colored the Heisei era will finish its role at the end of March 2026. Regarding the end dates of 3G services by each company, KDDI will end it in March 2022. SoftBank will also end it in April 2024. (*For users in Ishikawa Prefecture, it will end at the end of July considering the impact of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.)
NTT Docomo will end its service on the 31st of this month. As of March 2026, there are approximately 350,000 people nationwide who have contracts for 3G lines. What happens if you forget to complete the procedure and the 1st of next month arrives? Your mobile phone contract will be automatically terminated, and you will no longer be able to make calls, send emails, or use the internet. Of course, you will also no longer be able to make emergency calls such as 110 or 119. If you re-contract after automatic termination, there is a possibility that the phone number you have been using will change. It is a mistake to think that “it’s a feature phone so it will become unusable.”
Some feature phones are 4G compatible and can be used after April. It is also a mistake to think that “it’s a smartphone so it’s fine.” Some older smartphones use the 3G network for their calling function, so don’t let your guard down. Even if you can use the internet, you will not be able to use the calling function.
So, how can you check if your current phone is on the 3G network? An easy way to check is… Make a call to family or a friend using your smartphone. If you hear a message saying, “Due to the termination of the FOMA service, your current mobile phone will no longer be usable,” then it is time to replace it. By discontinuing the old 3G network, the “free space” can be allocated to 4G and 5G. This will improve communication quality, such as allowing for comfortable use even in areas where the signal was previously weak.
Shutting down old base stations will reduce enormous power consumption and CO2 emissions, making it more environmentally friendly. Standardization to the latest secure communication standards will reduce the risk of hijacking and improve the overall security of communication infrastructure. The costs and effort of maintaining old 3G communication equipment will be eliminated. This could potentially be used to develop new services or lower mobile phone rates, potentially benefiting consumers.
