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NEW YORK (AP) — Telecom companies are shutting down legacy networks as they overhaul the latest generation of mobile service called 5G — a costly, years-long process that has now resulted in delayed calls due to many products. there it still relies on the old standard 3G.
AT&T It is scheduled to be the first operator to shut down its 3G network on February 22. T-Mobile will shut down its 3G network in the summer, while Verizon will shut it down in December.
The home alarm industry asked Federal Communications CommissionUS regulator, to delay AT&TNet sunset until December. This FCC He is monitoring the phasing out of 3G and working to “implement security measures” for older phones and other devices, spokesperson Paloma Perez said late Monday.
Verizon has delayed the shutdown twice from its original target date in 2019, saying customers need more time to update their devices. T-Mobile also delayed the shutdown of the Sprint 3G network it bought in 2020 to the end of March; By July 1, T-Mobile will shut down its 3G network.
WHY IS 3G TURNING OFF?
First, a little history. AT&T3G network launched in the USA in 2004; After this decade, it became the exclusive carrier for the first iPhones, helping to kickstart the first phase of the smartphone era. The networks we currently rely on for streaming video, social apps, Uber, and other modern-day essentials mostly use the next 4G standard.
For carriers, turning off 3G is an efficiency move. When they upgrade to the latest technology, they shut down the old networks and use the freed bandwidth for newer and more profitable services they hope will be.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE AN OLD PHONE?
People with older phones that are not compatible with 4G will need to upgrade; When 3G is turned off, these phones will not work for calling or texting. AT&T says it reaches out to its customers to offer free replacements via letters, emails and texts. Spokesperson Jim Greer, less than 1 percent AT&TConsumer devices, including phones, tablets and watches, will lose cellular service, though he declined to say how many devices this is. The company reported nearly 196 million phones and connected devices using its network in the last quarter.
ABOUT OTHER DEVICES?
Industry groups have also expressed concerns about other products that need replacing or updating – everything from home fire alarms to ankle bracelets used by law enforcement. It’s unclear how many obsolete products are out there or how big of a deal it will be if the updates happen after February 22.
The alarm industry and other companies say they have had trouble replacing devices despite knowing the impending shutdown for years. Recent disruptions include both supply chain issues from the pandemic and customers who hesitate to let technicians into their homes during the pandemic.
HOW MANY OLD PRODUCTS ARE HERE?
It’s not really clear. An alarm industry lobby group estimates that 1.5 million customers still need to upgrade their fire or burglar alarms, while nearly half a million have 3G-powered medical alert devices; he said he trusted the most AT&T service. A fire alarm that is not connected to the network will not be able to contact the fire brigade, although the alarm will still sound if smoke is present. Likewise, burglar alarms are not routed to emergency responders if triggered. Not all providers say there is a problem. ADT said in November that it was on the way to update its updates. AT&T customers until February; A spokesperson declined to offer an update on Sunday.
AARP, an advocacy group for adults over 50, is also concerned that users of medical alert systems (necklaces and bracelets like Life Alert) that connect users to emergency call centers will not know their device is no longer working or not working. cannot change them in time.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE?
Check your phone to make sure it will still work. Here is one AT&T Here is the list of devices that the carrier says will operate normally after February 22. Call the companies that make or maintain your burglar and fire alarms and personal medical alert systems to see if they need an update. If so, schedule a service visit right away or have a new device shipped.
COMPLETELY DONE. SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER?
A few. For people released on probation, parole, or pre-trial, one wristband manufacturer said it’s unable to update many 3G-connected devices. Alcohol Monitoring Systems wrote in a paper in August that an early shutdown could potentially allow tens of thousands of criminals such as child abusers, sex offenders and drunk drivers to remain unattended as they leave prison. FCC filing. The company did not respond to questions.
Zonar, which provides GPS and other services for buses and trucks, says tens of thousands of vehicles will be affected. Trucks that are not upgraded may need to be left idle if drivers are unable to record their hours electronically as required by federal rules. Susan Corscadden, a company’s marketing manager, said Zonar has a workaround for the trucking industry, but not all customers place orders for it.
Affected school districts may lose their ability to track the location of school buses, while their drivers may not be able to use their GPS system for directions. The National Student Transport Association backed these concerns in a filing in September, but the group’s legislator, Noelle Ellerson Ng, said in an interview she had not heard school inspectors raise the issue.
IS THE CLOSEMENT A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT?
Not sure. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about the impact and how many people are affected,” said Tom Kamber, executive director of Older Adults Technology Services, an AARP-affiliated nonprofit. AARP asked FCC delay AT&T Closed until December.
Public Knowledge, a public interest group, FCC To avoid the February shutdown AT&T It may indicate that it is confident that essential services will not be interrupted, or that it can restore service immediately in case of problems.
SO WHY NOT DELAY?
AT&T It says delaying the shutdown will hurt the rollout of 5G, reduce its customers’ ability to use its services, and cause more calls to drop. The company argues that alarm companies have years to refurbish their customers’ devices. The company also says: FCC does not have the power to stop the shutdown.
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