Ending 3G Service Sparks Fears of an 'Alarmaggedon' [View all]

[Ron Obvious]

AT&T's planned shutdown of its 3G network Tuesday has sparked fears that home security systems, medical alert monitors and a range of other devices will stop working. From a report:

Carriers have previously retired networks, but this transition is proving more complicated because the pandemic hindered companies that rely on 3G services from making upgrades. Plus, there are just more devices to manage. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are all planning to shut down their 3G networks this year to support new 5G services. AT&T, which first announced plans to sunset its 3G network in 2019, says less than 1% of its mobile data traffic runs on that network. The company has offered customers free and discounted 4G LTE phones to help them upgrade, totaling about 2 million replacements. What to watch: AT&T says phone coverage will not be affected, but it's not just phones that use the company's 3G network.

https://slashdot.org/story/22/02/22/1722242/ending-3g-service-sparks-fears-of-an-alarmaggedon

Well, it had to happen one day. I've refused to update my (T-Mobile) phones after year after year of warnings about 3G shutdown. but I think it's real now. This also includes our home security system this time.

Bah! Fuck 5G. Who needs it? I've seen people watch HD video on their stupid little smartphones on 4G now. I can't see the point.