LOWELL — Wireless cellphone providers will ring out the old year by shutting down 3G networks. Their New Year’s resolution is to retire an old technology and ring in a new one, 5G networks.
The changes ahead in 2022 are not limited to cellphones that support only 3G.
Any medical device, home security equipment, motor vehicle SOS services, smart watches and any other gadget that obtains information from wireless networks will be affected, according to the state’s Office of Public Safety and Security.
Any device or service that relies on 3G networks will be obsolete by the end of 2022. That includes 911 services. The goal is to have all users on 4G and 5G networks by the end of next year.
Individuals with very new cellphones that support 4G may be spared the phaseout, but not necessarily. Some 4G phones will also not work. For example, a Samsung acquired two years ago was not supported.
Wireless providers are phasing out their old 3G networks so users can send greater amounts of data in every second of a transmission (greater bandwidth) over wireless frequencies.
The phaseout also allows them to free up frequencies currently used in 3G networks. The ‘G’ in 3G, 4G and 5G means ‘generation’ and 6G is probably a decade away. Callers will experience less delay and higher speeds. It is seen as the key to new applications and devices such as augmented and virtual reality.
The three major carriers have announced the following shutoff dates, but may retire networks in some regions sooner, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
AT&T announced that its 3G network will be shut off by February, barely two months away.
T-Mobile must also deal with the Sprint network. The two companies merged in 2020. It will complete shutting down Sprint’s 3G network by Jan. 1, and retire Sprint’s LTE network by June 30. T-Mobile also plans to shut down its 3G networks by July 1, and will retire its older GSM 2G network, but no date has been set.
Verizon said it would finish decommissioning its 3G network by Dec. 31, 2022.
In addition, Comcast Xfinity has started retiring its 3G network, but check with the company for its timeline. Also check with manufacturers of any medical or safety device that connects to the network.
The FCC has published a guide to help plan for the shutdown, which can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/plan_ahead_for_3g_shutoff_consumer_guide.pdf.
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November 26, 2021 at 06:32AM
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Wireless providers to shut down 3G service - Lowell Sun
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