「黒い充電器」は危険？3Gガラケーが3月末で終了…約30万回線が自動解約の危機　意外な見分け方とは【Nスタ解説】｜TBS NEWS DIG

The 3G communication service used in older mobile phones, so-called "feature phones," will end at the end of March. Users are being warned that they will become unusable if they don't switch over. ■Feature phones will become unusable!? 3G communication ends at the end of this month Anchor Takahiro Inoue: NTT Docomo's 3G communication service will end at the end of March. If you don't switch over, your contract will be automatically terminated, and you will no longer be able to use phone services. Currently, there are approximately 300,000 active lines. How to tell if your phone is a 3G feature phone… ▼Device: Check for the "i (i-mode)" mark ▼Charger: Check if it's a black charger ▼Calls: Check if a contract switching guidance message plays In the future, the frequencies used for 3G will be repurposed to improve the quality of 4G and 5G. ■The evolution of "G" is in decades: What you can do changes with each generation Anchor Inoue: The "G" in "3G" stands for "Generation," and as the generations progressed, communication speeds increased. It generally evolves every 10 years. ▼1980-1990 "1G" Voice Calls ▼1990-2000 "2G" Email ▼2000-2010 "3G" Video, Photos, Music ▼2010-2020 "4G" Smartphones The "shoulder phone," a pioneer of mobile phones, appeared about 40 years ago in 1985. At the time, it was a luxury item costing 200,000 yen and weighing approximately 3 kilograms. Although it gradually became smaller afterward, it never achieved widespread adoption. A major turning point came in 1999. "i-mode," which connected mobile phones to the internet, appeared, along with various other services. Around 2000, "ringtones," where users could use their favorite music as ringtones, became extremely popular. "Picture mail," using camera-equipped mobile phones, also appeared. ■What's the difference between "3G" and "5G"? What exactly is a "ガラケー" (garakei)? Anchor Inoue: We asked IT journalist Hiroshi Mikami about the differences between "3G" and "5G." ▼"3G" Can send texts and small photos Communication speed: 384kbps (initially) Sending a photo (500kB): Takes 10-11 seconds ▼"5G" Can watch high-definition videos via live streaming Communication speed: 20Gbps Sending a photo (500kB): Approximately 0.0002 seconds The term "garakei" is short for "Galapagos phone," referring to a type of mobile phone whose functions developed uniquely in Japan, much like the unique creatures found in the Galapagos Islands. What features were included at the time? ▼Infrared communication ▼Internet connectivity: Around 1999 ▼Camera-equipped mobile phones: Around 2000 ▼Touch payment: Around 2005 ▼One-segment TV viewing: Around 2006 ■What should I do with my old flip phone? Inoue (Anchor): NTT Docomo collects old flip phones for free at stores and events. To protect personal information, they process them by punching a "hole" in the phone. For data transfer, there are in-store or remote support services (for a fee). However, the phone must be powered on. ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Please subscribe to our channel!    / @tbsnewsdig   ▼Submit information here: "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Submit video here: "TBS Scoop Submission" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #news #TBS #newsdig