3G shutdown in Switzerland: Secure your new payment terminal before the outage
Sunrise already did it in June, and by the end of 2025, Swisscom will follow: The 3G network will be shut down nationwide in Switzerland. This may also impact your payment reception if you are still 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 failures.
Sheila
Matti
Just under 20 years ago, the 3G network ushered in the era of the mobile internet. Today, however, the once pioneering mobile generation is considered outdated and has been replaced by the more powerful 4G and 5G networks. According to Swisscom, only 1.1 percent of mobile data traffic currently runs via 3G, but at the same time, the outdated network occupies a good 9 percent of antenna capacity. And this is limited.
In order to free up capacity, 3G will be switched off across Switzerland by the end of the year. Salt has not yet announced a date, but Sunrise took the step back in June 2025 and Swisscom will follow at the end of 2025. This means that from 31.12.2025, many old, still 3G-based EC devices will no longer work. In addition to smartphones and tablets, this also affects card readers.
Your business could therefore also be affected by this step. Especially if your POS terminal has been in use for a while, you should check whether it will still be functional in the future. If not, you need to look for a replacement device as soon as possible, otherwise you risk a payment outage and a corresponding loss of revenue. But do not worry – Payrexx is here to help you!
How do you recognise if you are affected by the 3G shutdown?
First things first: of course, only those devices that are connected to the mobile network are affected – i.e. those that have an integrated SIM card. If, on the other hand, your card reader runs purely via the Wi-Fi network or another connection, it does not need to be replaced. At best, however, a change is also advisable here, as older devices are usually no longer updated by the manufacturer and may have corresponding security gaps.
You can use the following points to check whether your current card reader (with SIM card) is based on the 3G network:
Check the network status on your device: As with a mobile phone, this is usually displayed in the top right-hand 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”. It should be apparent here whether your device uses 3G, 4G, or 5G.
Look at the back of your device: On most devices, you will find a sticker here which – along with other information such as the serial number and barcode – also indicates the network. Pay attention, look closely! Often the text is written in a very small font.
Ask your manufacturer or check their website. Most terminal providers have clearly communicated which of their devices will no longer work in the future. And if you cannot find this information straight away, a support request or a phone call is a good option.
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, it is time to act quickly! If you do not replace the device by the end of 2025, you risk a payment outage by 2026. Your device will then simply no longer work and will not be able to process payments. Therefore, be sure to take care of 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 of the provider refusing to take it back at some point and you being left with unnecessary costs. Depending on the provider, delivery may also take some time. That is why you should order as early as possible so that the new device arrives in good time.
All of these are inconveniences that you save yourself with Payrexx. If you order your POS terminal from the leading Swiss payment provider for SMEs, it will arrive fully ready for operation within a few working days. You only have to switch it on and you can start accepting payments immediately, securely and reliably via the powerful 4G network.
In addition, you currently benefit from the exclusive introductory price: You only pay 9 instead of 25 EUR per 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 all sizes – 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 handle and order.
With Payrexx, you can order a new device in just 3 steps:
Create a Payrexx account: Register yourself or your business with Payrexx, complete the verification process, and acquire the standard subscription.
Order your POS terminal: Select your new terminal in your Payrexx account and provide all the information required for the order.
Receive your device: Your device will arrive fully ready for operation within a maximum of 10 working days. And you are ready to accept 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 optimize your online presence. For example, you can generate donation forms, create simple online shops, or send invoices via payment link – all fixed components of your Payrexx account, with no hidden additional costs.
On-site merchants 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 transforms your smartphone into a card reader and thus allows you maximum flexibility. This allows you to accept payments, no matter where, no matter when, no matter how, and no matter under what conditions: the perfect solution for every situation.
The Payrexx Power Package: Tap to Pay, Payrexx POS terminals, and Payrexx QR Pay.
