Information update for customers travelling abroad - closure of 2G and 3G services

An Post Mobile partners with carriers around the world to deliver services to you when travelling. Due to technological advances, our Roaming Partners are decommissioning their 2G and/or 3G networks to free up mobile radio spectrum which can be used on the 4G networks. This will result in additional capacity and improved quality in terms of data speeds.
These carriers are beginning to move entirely to 4G networks and during this transition phase they will begin to close their 2G or 3G networks in the countries they operate in.
An Post Mobile Customers will benefit from faster data speeds, improved quality of service and more innovative ways to keep in touch with friends and family.

What does 2G, 3G and 4G mean?

Over the years, several generations of mobile networks have been developed including 2G, 3G and 4G, and the quality of voice calls and mobile data speeds increases with each generation of mobile network.

When Roaming, the voice and SMS services are provided using the 2G and 3G networks. We will be providing voice and SMS services when Roaming using 4G networks at a future date.
2G and 3G networks have been around for a long time and operators around the world are now introducing services on the more recent 4G networks.

The mobile data speed that you experience when travelling will vary depending on the network generation your handset is connected to (2G, 3G, 4G). In practice this impacts how quickly you can send and receive information, like browsing, loading posts, listening to music, streaming videos, downloading / uploading files or making video calls.

Countries where 2G or 3G is closed

Where a country has closed their 2G or 3G network this may impact how you access voice, SMS and data services. 

• In some European and Rest of World Countries 2G or 3G networks are closing down. An Post Mobile Customers using 2G for data will notice that their internet connection will be slower, and some apps may not work as well. An Post Mobile Customers using 4G can continue to enjoy a good high speed data experience.
• In countries where either the 2G or 3G network has closed An Post Mobile Customers can continue to make and receive calls and texts using the remaining open network.
• In the United States both 2G and 3G networks are beginning to close.
• An Post Mobile Customers will be able to make and receive calls and texts using the 3G network when visiting countries where the 2G network has closed.
• Roaming data can also be used on the 3G, 4G networks. For access to 4G data you must have a compatible handset and a data bundle.
• An Post Mobile Customers with older handset models that do not have 4G capability (many older handsets will only have 2G/3G capability) will not be able to use data on 4G. An Post Mobile Customers visiting countries with no 2G network will only have data available over 3G.

Countries where the 2G network has closed

Australia, Belarus, Macau, Mexico, Panama, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan (see NOTE below)

Countries where the 3G network has closed

Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands and Norway (see NOTE below)

NOTE: An Post Mobile customers can continue to make and receive calls and texts using the 2G network when visiting countries where the 3G network has closed.

• Roaming data can be used on the 2G, 4G networks. To use 4G data you must have a compatible handset and a data bundle.
• An Post Mobile Customers using older handset models that only have 2G/3G capability will not be able to use data on 4G. When visiting countries with no 3G network, data will only be available over 2G.

How do I know if my handset only has access to the 2G/3G network?

On Android (some phones may vary)

1. Go to settings > Network settings > mobile network.

2. Look for a dropdown menu of mobile standards such as 2G, 3G or LTE (4G).

3. If you don’t see 4G or LTE, then your smartphone doesn’t support the standard.

On iPhones

1. First, go to the Settings of your Apple smartphone.

2. Scroll and go to the General section. Tap on the Cellular option.

3. Here you will see Enable 4G LTE if your phone supports the 4G network.

2G/3G network closures in USA

Operators in the USA have begun implementing the closure of both their 2G and 3G networks. An Post Mobile currently have two nationwide Roaming partners in the USA, AT&T and T Mobile USA. The AT&T network in the USA is no longer providing voice services compatible with An Post Mobile handsets.

When Roaming in the United States you will need to use the T Mobile USA network for voice, SMS and data services. An Post Mobile Customers with older handsets models (that only have 2G/3G capability must use the T Mobile USA for all services, (voice, SMS and data).

An Post Mobile Customers on handset models with 4G can continue to use AT&T for SMS and data. However, please be aware that AT&T no longer support voice for your handset. All services are available on the T Mobile network.

Your phone should automatically connect to the T Mobile network where available. However, if it does not automatically connect then you will need to manually search for the T Mobile network. Stay connected to the T Mobile network for voice calls by switching off automatic network selection and manually searching to select the T Mobile network.

What does this mean for Roaming Voice and SMS services?

These services are currently provided over 2G and 3G networks.

• If a country has closed their 2G network, Voice and SMS will be provided over the 3G network.
• If a country has closed their 3G network, Voice and SMS will be provided over the 2G network.

What does this mean for Data (Internet) Services?

• Roaming Data (Internet) services are provided over 2G, 3G or 4G depending on your handset type.
• An Post Mobile customers using older handset models (with just 2G/3G capability) will not be able to use data on 4G.
• If a country has closed their 2G network, data on older handsets will be delivered on the 3G network.
• If a country has closed their 3G network, data on older handsets will be delivered on the 2G network.
• An Post Mobile customers can access 4G coverage in over 180 countries, so customers on newer handsets can continue to enjoy a good high speed internet service.

How can I connect to a Network when Roaming?

With An Post Mobile, normally your handset should automatically connect to the network that provides all the services, allowing you to enjoy good coverage and quality.

However, on occasion some handsets do not automatically connect due to compatibility issues, so if you find you are connected to a network with no service, please select a new network as follows; check that your Data Roaming and Mobile Data are switched on.

Changing the Mobile Network

• Go to the Settings pages on the An Post Mobile website
• Select your device manufacturer
• Choose your handset
• Enter “Select Network” or “Search Network” in the search box provided, where you will be presented with instructions to select a network. The exact menu option varies by device
• Follow the instructions provided in the onscreen tutorial
• Switch the automatic network selection option off
• Perform a manual network search. This may take some time to present the list of available networks
• Select the network to connect to and wait for the connection request to complete.

After switching from automatic network selection to manual selection you usually need to request the new network connection several times before it will work.

Please note some networks presented on the list of available networks may not provide Roaming Services to An Post Mobile customers and the connection request may not be successful.

When can I make a voice call over 4G?

We are working with our partners on delivering voice services over 4G (Voice over LTE) for An Post Mobile Customers when Roaming. Please check back here on our Roaming support pages for the latest updates.