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What The 3G Shutdown Means For IoT

What The 3G Shutdown Means For IoT Image Credit: bigstock/Bigstockphoto.com

It’s the end of an era - nations around the world are phasing out 3G. The rolling back of the older cellular network won’t impact phones (since they operate with 4G and above) but will challenge connected devices.

Most Internet of Things devices built for 3G are only compatible with 3G, meaning scores of devices will no longer be supported. For example, BMW is currently notifying owners of older models that their 3G-connected cars will no longer have connectivity starting from this year.

The reality of the 3G network shutdown means that devices will essentially become unusable. This is because, without connectivity, cellular network devices will not be able to communicate. Let’s look at how users and businesses can prepare for the network switch before it’s too late.

When did 3G come out?

The 3G network feels like it’s been with us since the beginning of modern telecommunications - and that’s because it ushered in a new era. In 1998, users simply wanted to do more things than possible with 2G technology. So, the industry innovated and brought forth the next generation - the 3G network.

The technology was a game-changer. 3G enabled much faster internet connectivity for mobile devices. It allowed users to video call while on the move and share photos with friends from thousands of miles away. What’s more, users could now access emails and media through their phones as fast as they could with their desktops - something which was revolutionary at the time.

When will 3G Be shut down?

Alas, nothing lasts forever, and the once cutting-edge network faces obsoletion. Much like the network it replaced, 3G has been falling out of favor for newer versions. The upgraded 4G and 5G networks enable speeds and coverage once thought impossible. With the ability to now load web pages almost instantaneously and stream video and music free from buffering, 3G has been on a downward trend for more than a decade. As a result, telecom providers have analyzed whether they can and should phase out 3G so that more space is available for the more advanced networks.

In much of the world, providers have deemed it time to ‘sunset’ the 3G network. Dates vary according to carrier and country, but the United States plans to discontinue the service this year. Meanwhile, Germany and Italy have already done away with the network.

This means that the estimated 3 million devices operating on 3G in the United States have little time to waste. If users fail to update the network connection, affected mobile devices will no longer be able to share or receive information.

What’s next For IoT and cellular connectivity?

The 3G network shutdown requires immediate action - particularly in industries that rely on mobile connectivity to function. Transportation is one such example since mobile logging devices offer the best possible coverage for trucking fleets. The same is true for grid transformers or smart water wells that operate in otherwise hard-to-reach locations. Without upgrading to 4G or 5G connectivity, these devices will soon be unable to communicate.

So, what can users and companies do about it? In a word: act. The best, long-term solution is to check the device hardware and upgrade if necessary. And, while making such upgrades, users are well-advised to further future-proof their devices by ensuring that their data is cloud compatible.

Unfortunately, there’s no simple solution to the problem. A 3G to 4G gateway is theoretically possible but expensive. To make matters worse, modems are only interchangeable if supported by the hardware. While this is the case for connected cars, other devices will likely need to be replaced entirely by a newer model with upgraded connectivity.

Another solution is possible, although only for the short term, by simply switching carriers. In the United States, AT&T plans to shutter its 3G service by the end of February. On the other hand, other carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon will not end their services until June and December, respectively. So, if users aren’t ready to make the network upgrade just yet, a carrier switch can offer an extra few months to make the transition.

The future of mobile device connectivity

There’s no escaping the end of 3G. One way or another, users around the world will need to prepare for the shuttering of the older network and ensure that their devices remain functional going forward.

However, there’s a silver lining to this global network change. The network extinction will make it possible for telecom providers to redeploy the under-utilized and less-efficient 3G spectrum to better support next-generation technologies and services. As I’ve previously written for The Fast Mode, 5G can deliver ultra high throughput - up to 4Gbps at peak speeds - which is set to boost connectivity to levels never seen before.

The potential for ultra high throughput combined with 5G’s low latency is what IoT industry insiders predict will push forward applications that depend on a data-rich environment. For example, 5G is likely to enable us to control more devices remotely in applications where real-time network performance is critical, such as remote control of heavy machinery in hazardous environments, thereby improving worker safety, and even remote surgery.

So, while there will be some growing pains and required action from users, the shutdown of 3G makes room for the expansion of 5G and an exciting host of new possibilities.

Author

Carsten Rhod Gregersen is an IoT expert with more than two decades in software and innovation. Carsten is the founder of Nabto, the platform providing peer-to-peer communications for connected devices. His areas of expertise span critical domains such as security, cybersecurity, technology regulation, and the impact of IoT.

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