3G deactivation in Switzerland: Secure your new payment terminal before the outage
Sunrise did it already in June, and now Swisscom will follow suit by the end of 2025: The 3G network is being switched off across Switzerland. This may also affect your payment reception, especially if you are using an old terminal based on 3G. In the following article, you will learn the reasons for the shutdown, its consequences, and the steps you need to take to protect your business against outages.
Sheila
Matti
Nearly 20 years ago, the 3G network ushered in the era of mobile internet. Today, however, that once pioneering mobile generation is considered outdated and has been replaced by the more powerful 4G and 5G networks. According to Swisscom, only 1.1 percent of mobile data traffic now runs over 3G, while the outdated network still occupies around 9 percent of antenna capacity. And that is limited.
To create capacity, 3G will be switched off across Switzerland by the end of the year. Salt has not yet announced a date, but Sunrise already made the move in June 2025 and Swisscom will follow by the end of 2025. From 31.12.2025, many old EC devices still based on 3G will therefore no longer function. This affects not only smartphones and tablets but also card readers.
So your company could also be affected by this step. Especially if your POS terminal has been in use for some time, you should check whether it will still be operational in future. If not, you need to arrange a replacement device promptly, otherwise you risk payment failure and corresponding loss of revenue. But don't worry – Payrexx will help you!
How do you recognise whether the 3G switch-off affects you?
First things first: naturally only those devices connected to the mobile network are affected – that is, those with an integrated SIM card. If your card reader runs purely over the Wi-Fi network or another connection, it does not need to be replaced. However, a switch may also be worthwhile here, as older devices are usually no longer updated by the manufacturer and may have corresponding security vulnerabilities.
Using the following points, you can check whether your current card reader (with SIM card) is based on the 3G network:
Check the network indicator on your device: as with a mobile phone, this is usually shown at the top right corner of the screen. If it constantly shows 4G, LTE or 5G, your terminal is not affected.
Check your device's network settings: by default, these can be found in the settings under menu items such as “Connections” or “Mobile networks”. Here it should be apparent whether your device uses 3G, 4G or 5G.
Look on the back of your device: on most devices you will find a sticker here that – alongside other information, such as the serial number and barcode – also states the network. Be careful and look closely! Often the text is very small.
Ask your manufacturer or check its website. Most terminal providers have clearly communicated which of their devices will no longer function. And if you don't find this information straight away, a support request or a phone call is advisable.
Thanks to the integrated SIM card, the POS devices run smoothly everywhere via the 4G network.
What do you need to do if your device is affected?
If your current card reader uses the 3G network, you need to act fast! If you do not replace the device by the end of 2025, you risk payment failure in 2026. Your device will then simply no longer work and can no longer process payments. So be sure to arrange a new device as soon as possible.
If your current terminal is a rental device, you should return it to the provider as soon as possible. Otherwise you run the risk that they will refuse to take it back at some point and you will be left with unnecessary costs. Depending on the provider, delivery may also take longer. Therefore you should order as early as possible so that the new device arrives on time.
All of this is inconvenience that you save with Payrexx. If you order your POS terminal from the leading Swiss payment provider for SMEs, it will arrive at your premises fully operational within a few working days. You only need to switch it on and can receive payments immediately, securely and reliably via the powerful 4G network.
You are also currently benefiting from the exclusive introductory price: you pay only CHF 9 instead of 25 each month for your POS terminal!
What do you need to do if your device is affected?
As the leading Swiss payment provider for SMEs, Payrexx has made it its mission to simplify payment transactions for businesses of every size – whether online or on site. The Payrexx Nexgo POS terminals are accordingly not only powerful and reliable in payment transactions, they are also easy to use and order.
With Payrexx, you can order a new device in just 3 steps:
Create a Payrexx account: Register yourself or your company with Payrexx, complete the verification process and purchase the Standard subscription.
Order your POS terminal: Select your new terminal in your Payrexx account and provide all the details required for the order.
Receive your device: Within a maximum of 10 working days, your device will arrive fully operational at your premises. And then you can receive payments.
With Payrexx, you also get more than just a card reader: the all-in-one solution includes a range of useful e-commerce tools that optimise your online presence. So you can generate donation forms, create simple webshops or send invoices via payment link – all fixed components of your Payrexx account, without hidden additional costs.
Merchants on site benefit from the Payrexx Power package: in addition to POS terminals, payments can also be accepted via QR code or with Tap to Pay. The latter app turns your smartphone into a card reader and thus gives you maximum flexibility. This means you receive payments, wherever, whenever, however and under whatever conditions: the perfect solution for every situation.
The Payrexx Power package: Tap to Pay, Payrexx POS terminals and Payrexx QR Pay.
