Changes to cell phone service

If your mobile telephone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device to avoid losing service before your mobile provider shuts down its 3G network. For more information on how you can prepare for 3G retirement, contact your provider directly.

Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks which rely on older technology to make room for more advanced network services including 5G. As a result, many older cell phones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911, or use data services. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that don’t support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice).

Upgrades may have been needed as early as Jan. 1, 2022, though plans and timing to phase out 3G services may change and will vary by company.

Some carrier websites provide lists of devices that won’t be supported after 3G networks are shut down.

You may need to upgrade to a newer device to ensure you can stay connected. Carriers may offer discounts or free upgrades to help consumers who need to upgrade their phones.

Some devices may only require a software update to enable VoLTE (HD Voice) or other advanced services. If you purchased your phone independent of a mobile provider, you should be able to check whether your device is 4G LTE (with VoLTE or HD Voice) enabled by checking your phone’s settings or user manual, or by searching your phone’s model number on the internet to determine whether you need to purchase a new device or install a software update.

Other phone services, such as certain medical devices, tablets, smart watches, vehicle SOS services, home security systems, and other connected products may be using 3G network services. Don’t forget about devices that use cellular connectivity as a back-up when a wired internet connection goes down. If the device isn’t labeled, contact the monitoring company or other service provider to confirm how the device connects and whether your device may be impacted.

In addition, although they don’t cover the cost of the new devices, other FCC programs may be able to assist eligible consumers with the cost of phone or internet services.

The FCC’s Lifeline program may be able to assist eligible consumers in getting connected to phone and internet services. The program provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income individuals. In addition, The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides a temporary discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on consumer issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer Help Center online at fcc.gov/consumers.

By Paula Crozier

Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole sing in the background during February at our house. So do Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennet. And every one of them sings about love.

Hearing these crooners throughout my life, created a romanticized view of how love would really be for me, and I believed for everyone. And then I got married. Our romance started so wonderfully we couldn’t stand to be apart. We loved every little thing about each other. I knew the moment I could look into my husband’s eyes and know I’d clean him up from illness, wash and fold his dirty socks and underwear, and love him even when he wasn’t at his best. I knew he was the one.

Our love has definitely changed over the last 23 years of marriage and we’re actually excited about rekindling our relationship now that our daughters are in college. We still have one daughter at home who will live close by us all her life we hope, as she has spoiled us so with her Down syndrome. But for right now, we’re relishing the fact we’re in our late 40’s, early 50’s, have grey hair, and don’t care what people think of what we wear attitudes.

We enjoy the early bird specials because, well, they’re darn tasty and the cafés aren’t so busy. We love lighting the fireplace and watching documentaries, old movies, and comedies as our “night out.” We dance to songs from the ’80’s successfully embarrassing our girls and we smile the entire time we’re doing it.

Our love is deeper now than earlier in our marriage. It’s about knowing we’ve been through some “stuff” and are actually living through it. It’s about longing just to be held and comforted together. It’s about knowing we have a kiss goodbye in the morning and a huge hug and a kiss hello when we arrive home.

And we realize now, we’ll always be in love. We’re always human and that means we’ll never tire of being people to whom love is very important and critical to overall health.

Whether it’s an intimate encounter, comforting one another, enjoying similar interests and hobbies, or holding hands as we take walks together as we age, love may be experienced and shown differently, but that connecting with a loved one will never age. (Crozier is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.)

Omaha Senior Living Series

Never a sales pitch, only the truth! FREE SEMINARS

Join us for a monthly series of candid conversations focused on providing answers to questions and solutions to challenges facing Omaha mature homeowners.

How to Pay for Assisted (or Senior) Living

Come listen to our Panelists to sort out the issues and give you the TRUTH!

February 23, 2022

1:30-2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Millard Public Library

13214 Westwood Lane Omaha, NE 68144 Call 402-201-8051

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Hosted by: Bud & Jane Thomsen