TECH Millions of 3G devices phasing out, will quit working in 2022

SusieSunshine

SusieSunshine

Veteran Member

Millions of 3G devices phasing out, will quit working in 2022

www.msn.com


Kansas City, MO - Millions of devices will no longer work in the New Year, giving many just a week to prepare for a big change, as cell phone carriers begin shutting down their 3G networks.
The devices range from cell phones to car GPS systems to certain medical devices.

All of the major cellphone carriers — AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile — are planning to shut their older 3G networks in 2022.
Millions of people who use 3G phones and other 3G devices will have to buy new devices to text, make calls or even reach 911. pic.twitter.com/nshy4UeztL
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 30, 2021
Click to expand...
Burton Kelso, a technology expert in Kansas City, says companies are shutting them down to expand the 4G and 5G networks many of devices now run on.


The shutdown will roll out in phases depending on the cell company. Kelso says there are things you can do if you are not able to get rid of that technology quite yet.

How to Plan Ahead for the 3g Network Shutdown https://t.co/YB6sfJnuJY
— Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert (@BurtonKelso) December 22, 2021
Click to expand...
He suggested talking to your doctor if it is a medical device or contacting your cell phone carrier if the change will affect your phone.
Mobile service providers may be offering special deals on new devices, including some deals that might include a free cell phone. In addition, although they do not cover the cost of new devices, some FCC programs may be able to assist eligible consumers with the cost of phone or internet services.
 
Big Sarge

Big Sarge

Old School
Yeah, no need to stress over those devices not working. They normally run off of WiFi or a direct line connection. No cellular receivers there.
 
T

Troke

On TB every waking moment
I had a perfectly good flip phone, took me to the grocery store for bread and milk, four cylinder, stick shift. (Metaphors here)

I got a message saying it would die a ghastly death this year.

I now have a twin turbo V-12 nitro methane fueled, six speeds and when I try for the grocery store, mothers jerk their kids out of the front yard as I leave burnt rubber all the way. (Metaphor there)
 
Jeff B.

Jeff B.

Don’t let the Piss Ants get you down…
JF&P said:
So how long before they jerk 4g?
Click to expand...

4G/LTE will be around for quite a while. 5G is a very short range technology, hence all the towers. The 4G/LTE networks will remain as the “long haul” aspect of mobile networks and service the areas without the needed population density for 5G.

BTW, based on the earlier networks deprecation rate, different carriers will move at different rates. There will be some areas where 3g will persist longer than advertised.

Jeff B.
 
BassMan

BassMan

Veteran Member
In general, I think it is good that 3G is being eliminated, since it frees-up those frequencies for more 4G (and 5G).

HOWEVER, for rural folks, I don't think 4G (or 5G) carries as far from the tower: fewer bars. Also, old alarm systems, older cars (OnStar?) and very old phones will stop working.
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
There is a definitive thread that discusses 4G, and the two types of 5G. There is already incorrect information on this thread about it.
 
C

Capt. Senile

Contributing Member
Bushnell says their ATT 4G cellular game cameras will die by the end of Jan 2022.
Good excuse for me to upgrade the 10 year old camera.
 
Elza

Elza

Veteran Member
I got a box in the mail from AT&T a while back. It was a new flip phone to replace my old 3g. Didn't ask for it. It just arrived one day. Had to go to the AT&T store to have the old SIM transferred to the new one. The new SIM was smaller and they wouldn't interchange, of course. But other than that is was a seamless change over.
 
Last edited:
D

Double_A

TB Fanatic
I've been told that 4G and even 3G (to a lesser extent) will be around quite a while. This will be mostly in rural areas where there are not enough customers.

Bottom line, it's expensive to bring 5G to an area, if it doesn't have a population they can justify it
you will remain on 4G

It's all about the $$$
 
Freeholder

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
I had to replace my old Verizon flip-phone. I was reluctant, but it turns out to be a good thing, as the new phone is working as a hotspot - it's actually faster, and so far more reliable, than my dedicated internet service. So I'm going to cancel the internet and just use the hotspot, which will save me about fifty bucks a month over what I was paying for the flip-phone plus internet.

Kathleen
 
hiwall

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have two old flip phones. Our carrier told us we would have to replace them this year. New flip phone from them is $35. We will replace one phone and drop the one I use. I shouldn't say I even use one because about half the time it is dead when I happen to check it. It is stupid of me to even have it. We use our land line phone for everything.
 
Weps

Weps

Veteran Member
BassMan said:
In general, I think it is good that 3G is being eliminated, since it frees-up those frequencies for more 4G (and 5G).

HOWEVER, for rural folks, I don't think 4G (or 5G) carries as far from the tower: fewer bars. Also, old alarm systems, older cars (OnStar?) and very old phones will stop working.
Click to expand...

The announced "elimination" of 3G is a bit of a misnomer. Service providers talk in absolutes when refencing generational cellular network technologies, but it's a heck of a lot more complicated.

3G isn't being phased-out in whole, what's happening is 3G networks that are unable to upgraded to LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology and speed standards are being phased-out.

As Jeff B. has noted, there will be long-haul LTE networks maintained (most likely for the next decade or two);

LTE (or 3.95G as it's sometimes called) is a standard developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) that is based on requirements set by the ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union - Radiocommunication) under the IMT-Advanced standard (International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced) that defines the 4G standards.

Initially, the ITU-R didn't recognize LTE as meeting 4G standards, but after receiving industry and marketing pressure due to the advances made in WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) & EHSPA (Evolved High Speed Packet Access) in GSM/EDGE (Global System for Mobile Communications/Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) and UMTS/HSPA (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/High Speed Packet Access) technologies the ITU-R accepted those advancements as having satisfied the requirements set force in their IMT-Advanced standard, but to help differentiate LTE-Advanced and WiMAX-Advanced from current 4G, the ITU-R has declared they may be officially labelled IMT-Advanced.

IMT-Advanced standards announced for next-generation mobile technology
Specifications for ITU-R recommendation agreed by Radio Assembly

So there will be devices declared by carriers to be defunct/obsolete, but said devices will contain 3G technology that is capable of utilizing 4G networks. The issue is, determining if your device is one of them. (We will see 5G devices do the same thing, when outside of 5G network range they will default to an available LTE/4G network.)

TL;DR
LTE is still 3G, but meets the 4G standard.
 
Raggedyman

Raggedyman

Res ipsa loquitur
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE
because its good to do your part in support of
GLOBALIST MULTINATIONAL CORPORATE SKUM​
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
You all understand that “LTE” stands for Long Term Evolution”, right? Things get superseded. If they didn’t, we’d be riding horses and buggies and medical care would be with leeches. If some of you want to live like it’s 1853, that’s fine. Buy a homestead off-grid and far from people, and get rid of all electronics as well as your cars. No electric lights either. Don’t be pussies, JUMP IN!
 
Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
Freeholder said:
I had to replace my old Verizon flip-phone. I was reluctant, but it turns out to be a good thing, as the new phone is working as a hotspot - it's actually faster, and so far more reliable, than my dedicated internet service. So I'm going to cancel the internet and just use the hotspot, which will save me about fifty bucks a month over what I was paying for the flip-phone plus internet.

Kathleen
Click to expand...
And your "Data" costs you how much?

Owner's wife has a smart-phone which has data. But its a VERY limited packet.

Owner's phone is flip - and one imagines it is 4G - sort of bought in the "middle period" in the run-up to 5G introduction.

He has data capability on it - but its extra money on the monthly bill and one can predict how Mr. Jack Benny Owner will respond to that.

"He Mac-Your money or your life - - Don't rush me, I'm thinking."

Dobbin
 
Freeholder

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
Dobbin said:
And your "Data" costs you how much?

Owner's wife has a smart-phone which has data. But its a VERY limited packet.

Owner's phone is flip - and one imagines it is 4G - sort of bought in the "middle period" in the run-up to 5G introduction.

He has data capability on it - but its extra money on the monthly bill and one can predict how Mr. Jack Benny Owner will respond to that.

"He Mac-Your money or your life - - Don't rush me, I'm thinking."

Dobbin
Click to expand...

Unlimited data included in the plan -- I made sure of that.

Kathleen
 
Kris Gandillon

Kris Gandillon

The Other Curmudgeon
_______________
Freeholder said:
Unlimited data included in the plan -- I made sure of that.

Kathleen
Click to expand...
Usually two separate issues in the fine print:

1. Unlimited Data is one thing BUT

2. Throttling, or the speed at which the unlimited data gets delivered to you, is often a separate matter. After X amount of your unlimited data is delivered to you the rest slows down to as little as 128 Kbps.

Verizon throttles the phone to lower speeds during heavy usage after 50GB has been used each month.

And they throttle the hotspot down to 600Kbps after either 15GB or 30GB of hotspot usage depending on which plan you have.

screenrant.com

Is Verizon Unlimited Really Unlimited? What You Need To Know

Verizon's unlimited plans come with a catch.
screenrant.com screenrant.com

Might want to check if there is such a clause in your data plan.

ETA: 15GB doesn’t get me very far into the month at all but I have heavy usage.
 
psychgirl

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good to know all of this about the flip phones. DH has an ancient one and it NEEDS to be replaced ASAP!
 
Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
psychgirl said:
Good to know all of this about the flip phones. DH has an ancient one and it NEEDS to be replaced ASAP!
Click to expand...
Owner says his flip-phone now "has a few miles on it." He's looked into the replacement.

I can see he's googled into the Verizon Website and looked up the latest offering. Pricing when he looked was about $50 for the phone, with free setup and "alignment."

Today alignment is all "automated." (dial the number they give you) And even setup might be (i.e. bringing over "contacts" & etc) if you continue your present phone account.

Owner has also googled the SAME phone seen at Verizon from various vendors on Ebay. Pricing varies (ebay) but many vendors offer the same phone with the same warranty for about HALF the price of Verizon. No "set-up" - you do that yourself - but the vendor has a telephone support line and in Owner's previous case "detailed" instructions on how to transition.

Owner's present "high mileage" phone he bought three years ago for about $25. It does look like a seasoned veteran NOW - but Owner demands a lot from his machinery.

As I say, he's likely to do like he did before.

Now Owner's son plays a similar game - but he plays in the "SIM Card" arena. He won't buy a captive smart phone on principle but simply transfers the card - and the card brings everything he needs with it.

He's in Wyoming so I only hear about this.

Dobbin
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top