Technology evolves and what was once advanced becomes obsolete. Such is the fate of CDMA.
Over the past several years, TELUS has invested millions, if not billions of dollars into enhancing their HSPA+ and LTE networks, and doesn’t even list the now-outdated CDMA network on its coverage map. And now they’re set to to begin shutting it down.
According to an internal doc we received, “CDMA technology is reaching the end of its service life,” and TELUS will start a “CDMA Migration Campaign” to transfer customers off this old technology. March 31, 2014 is when “TELUS will be discontinuing EVDO data service on the CDMA network in all of BC and AB (excluding Edmonton and Calgary).” There’s no indication of how many wireless customers are still using CDMA devices, but “to ensure their service is not disrupted,” TELUS will be sending a letter to them offering an upgrade to a 4G HSPA+ compatible device.
The doc also notes that not all CDMA devices will be impacted and “only customers that have been contacted and have offers loaded on account are eligible.” Apparently those eligible are located in BC and AB (excluding Edmonton and Calgary) and either have the wrong PRL code or a device that cannot be updated.
Finally, for a target date, TELUS says they’re “aiming to shutdown the CDMA network in 2015.”
(Thanks tipster!)
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