September 23, 2024
The 3G network shutdown will impact more than just phones
The looming shutdown of 3G networks won’t just impact older phones.
With AT&T’s 3G network shutting down next week, and other carriers following suit later this year, a range of products require updates to continue working, including some home alarm systems, medical devices such as fall detectors, and in-car crash notification and roadside assistance systems such as General Motors’ OnStar.
Just as many mobile carriers have urged customers to swap their older 3G iPhones, Android phones, e-readers and other handheld devices for newer models ahead of the shutdown, other businesses are urging customers to upgrade or replace some of the everyday products and services in their homes and cars before they drop connectivity.
If left unaddressed, the stakes could be high in certain cases. Millions of cars, for example, may no longer have the ability to contact first responders after a collision or receive updates such as location or traffic alerts for built-in GPS systems. Some vehicles, including Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac, have software upgrades for drivers to connect their systems to a 4G network, but other models will reportedly lose this feature for good.
The introduction of 3G in 2002 allowed some early car infotainment systems and home security services — pioneers in the smart home space — to connect to the networks. But over time, wireless companies moved on to 4G and more recently 5G networks.
Now, the major carriers are phasing out 3G technology in the United States and some markets abroad. AT&T, which owns CNN’s parent company, is shutting it down on February 22; T-Mobile is doing so in the third quarter; and Verizon will take this step by the end of the year. As the technology officially becomes obsolete, a scramble is underway to help consumers avoid a disruption.
What companies are doing about it
Some industries are better set up to handle the change. Many home security companies, for example, have been migrating their subscriber bases from 3G to 4G over the past two years. “From the most recent industry discussions I’ve participated in, it appears most US home security dealers have migrated 100% or very close to 100% of their subscribers so it’s not on most providers’ to-do lists any longer,” said Jack Narcotta, principal industry analyst at Strategy Analytics.
He said the home security industry’s effort to transition to 4G wasn’t overly complicated because it simply involved having a technician install a box or panel for a newer model. Some companies such as ADT have also put additional resources into the transition. In 2020, the home security company acquired Cellbounce, which makes a device that converts 3G signals to 4G for AT&T’s network.
Security businesses, such as My Alarm Center, have been clear in their messaging to customers that replacement units were needed ahead of the shutdown, too. “Even if your alarm appears to function, it will no longer communicate with our central service station to notify us that emergency services are needed,” My Alarm Center states on its website.
But even with these efforts, some customers and systems will likely get left behind — and not just home security and car assistance services.
“A few million connected devices in the smart home space still need to be replaced, including my meter for my solar panels,” said Roger Entner, analyst and founder of Recon Analytics. “Some companies started reaching out to their customers over the past 2 years informing them that service would soon shut off, but as of 6 months ago, many products still haven’t gotten around to replacing them yet.” cnn.com
