4 minute read
Connection problems
COMMUNICATIONS
Decommissioning 2G and 3G
Nick Whiting, Head of BT Redcare looks at the forthcoming sunsetting of 2G/3G networks and why security installers should take it seriously
The UK’s fire and security industry is facing two technological shifts that are already in motion.
Many alarm signalling solutions rely on 2G and 3G to send signals to alarm receiving centres (ARCs). But mobile operators are currently in the process of decommissioning these networks. No longer suitable for supporting the data capacity requirements of today’s communications, operators are redeploying network equipment and spectrum for 4G and 5G.
At the same time, the PSTN (public switched telephone network) is due to be switched off by 2025, after which any devices that rely on the old analogue network will cease to work. As a result, alarm signalling solutions are becoming redundant as phone lines migrate to new digital services placing people and properties at risk.
These changes present significant opportunities for installers to introduce their customers to next-generations solutions, connected via 4G and IP, future proofing them against these two technological shifts.
End of an era
There has been talk in the industry of decommissioning 2G and 3G for some time. In December 2021, however, as part of its plans to enable a smooth transition to 5G, the UK Government announced that the networks would be phased out nationwide by 2033. The shutdown could happen long before that, though.
Some individual operators will switch off their networks, particularly their 3G networks, much earlier. In fact, three of the UK’s four Mobile Network Operators (MNO) – Three, Vodafone and EE – have announced they will all decommission their 3G networks by 2024 with EE closing their 3G network by 2023.
Since its arrival, 2G mobile technology has been instrumental in machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and it’s this approach that has underpinned how alarm signals are transferred between devices and ARCs. Even with the arrival of 3G, 4G and now 5G, most devices out there use 2G. As such, its retirement means that there’s a risk the millions of devices that rely on it– which includes a number of alarm signalling systems – will be left marooned.
The issue is compounded further by the pending switch-off of the copper-based PSTN, which is being replaced with a full fibre network Three of the UK’s four Mobile Network Operators (MNO) –Three, Vodafone and EE – have announced they will all decommission their 3G networks by 2024 with EE closing their 3G network by 2023
COMMUNICATIONS
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that can support the nation’s demand for connectivity with more bandwidth and speed. As with 2G and 3G, any legacy alarm signalling systems that rely on the PSTN to dial out to ARCs when alarms are triggered will no longer be able to perform their given task.
Timelines for the PSTN switch-off are fluid too, with Openreach introducing ‘stop sell’ of copper-based services once areas around a particular exchange reach 75 percent fibre coverage. In fact, the organisation has announced a nationwide stop sell from September 2023, meaning all exchanges will then be impacted if they hadn’t switched prior to that point. However, communication providers are already switching their customers to new digital services, to be able to meet the 2025 deadline, as they cannot leave it all till the last minute
It’s vital, then, that serious thought is given to future-proofing alarm signalling systems across the country in order to ensure ongoing safety and security. Installers have a key role to play in this.
Trusted installers
Responsible for the fitting of alarms and alarm signalling solutions, installers hold the keys to the nation’s safety. Whether a one-person operation or part of a global brand, installers are essential to the transition from 2G/3G and PSTN to 4G and all-IP networks respectively.
Customers want to engage with trusted installers. That means educating and providing solutions that are futureproofed against both the mobile and fixed connectivity switch. For example, if they install a dual path solution that uses IP alongside 2G/3G, it will need to be swapped out for another solution that relies on 4G or even 5G in a few years’ time. To help provide a better customer experience, it’s important that all new solutions installed now are ready for all the transitions taking place.
Another reason to upgrade now from legacy systems is that 4G and all-IP connections enable much greater monitoring of alarm solutions. Solutions today have greater capability to check devices to ensure they’re operating as they should, helping to mitigate the potential repercussions of a device failure – something often only discovered when they’re most needed and it’s too late.
Time to engage now
Given the timelines involved in the decommissioning of 2G and 3G, and the shutdown of the PSTN, it’s important that installers engage with their customers as soon as possible to keep them safe, secure and futureproofed.
For installers themselves, if customer bases and/or portfolios are still largely using legacybased technology, they risk getting overtaken by forward-thinking rivals who are already upgrading customers to next-generation alarm signalling solutions.
Ultimately, these impending changes will transform the UK’s fire and security industry for the better, but we must act now. Installers have an opportunity to educate customers about the transition, assuring them alternatives are already in place to keep them safe and secure and their homes and business futureproofed.
