How did telecommunications become 3G? ——Analysis of recent network hot spots
Recently, the topic of "telecom network downgrading to 3G" has sparked heated discussions on social media. Many users reported that mobile phone signals suddenly changed from 4G/5G to 3G, resulting in a significant drop in network speeds. This article will analyze the causes and effects of this phenomenon based on hot data from the entire network in the past 10 days.
1. Event background and user feedback

According to statistics from Weibo, Zhihu and other platforms, the amount of discussion about "Telecom 3G" has surged in the past 10 days. The following is a comparison of keyword popularity:
| keywords | Search volume (daily average) | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom 3G | 12,800 times | +450% |
| network degradation | 8,900 times | +320% |
| signal problem | 15,200 times | +210% |
2. Possible cause analysis
Through technical forums and operator announcements, we have sorted out three mainstream explanations:
| Reason type | Specific instructions | Proportion (user votes) |
|---|---|---|
| Base station maintenance | Some areas are undergoing 5G base station upgrades and temporarily switching to 3G backup networks. | 42% |
| Package restrictions | Some low-price packages are restricted to the highest access network standard | 28% |
| Mobile phone compatibility issues | Old models or systems that have not been updated cause network matching abnormalities. | 30% |
3. Operators’ responses and solutions
China Telecom’s official Weibo issued a statement on May 20:
1. It is confirmed that the "Special Action for Network Quality Optimization" will be carried out in some cities in East and South China and is expected to last until early June;
2. It is recommended that users conduct self-examination through the following steps:
| Operation steps | Specific methods |
|---|---|
| first step | Restart your phone or turn on airplane mode for 10 seconds |
| Step 2 | Check Settings - Mobile Networks - Preferred Network Type |
| Step 3 | Dial 10000 to apply for refreshing network data |
4. Comparison of user measured data
Actual measurement results announced by technology blogger @digitalman (unit: Mbps):
| Network format | Download speed | upload speed | delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G | 286 | 68 | 28ms |
| 4G | 58 | 22 | 48ms |
| 3G | 6.8 | 1.9 | 210ms |
5. Opinions of Industry Experts
Communications industry researcher Li Ming pointed out:
"This incident reflects the contradictions during the transition period in 5G network construction. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, about 15% of base stations across the country still need to complete 5G upgrades in 2023. Users are advised to:
1. Update the mobile phone system in time
2. Avoid real-time data transmission in areas with dense signal switching (such as subway tunnels)
3. Check the real-time network status of your mobile phone through *#*#4636#*#*"
6. Extended discussion: The future of 3G networks
It is worth noting that many operators around the world have begun to shut down 3G networks. Comparing international progress:
| Country/Region | 3G network withdrawal time | alternative |
|---|---|---|
| USA | End of 2022 | VoLTE+5G |
| Japan | March 2024 | 4G+5G |
| China | TBD (expected 2025) | 5G+Internet of Things |
This "telecom to 3G" incident is not only a pain point for network upgrades, but also reminds us to pay attention to user adaptation issues in communication technology iterations. It is recommended to continue to pay attention to the operator's announcements, and if necessary, bring the device to the business hall for professional testing.
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