FEATURED COLUMNIST
Planning Ahead for the 3G Shutdown
A
By David Witkowski
pproximately every 10 years, wireless cellular networks around the world evolve by implementing newer generations of technology. Each generation typically remains active for about 20 years. The third generation of cellular technology, known as 3G, was first deployed in October 2000. This year, U.S. wireless carriers will begin shutting down the 3G network, and Santa Cruz county residents—especially those who live or travel in rural areas—should begin preparing for this transition. First, let’s talk about why 3G is shutting down. As the number of cellular users grows, and as subscriber equipment becomes more sophisticated, older network technologies cannot keep up with user demand. Newer technologies make more efficient use of the limited frequencies assigned to cellular use, so older systems must be upgraded. In 2000, the cellular network carried mostly voice calls and SMS text messages. In 2022, the cellular network carries mostly high-bandwidth digital data for apps, multimedia messages, and highdefinition voice calls. Our usage of cellular networks continues to grow exponentially as users abandon wired landline telephones in favor of wireless cellular service, and 80% of calls to 911 emergency services come from cellular phones. This level of demand far exceeds the capacity of the 3G network, and is already straining the 4G network as cellular network usage notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and users shifted to work-from-home and school-from-home. The need for more network capacity has risen to a critical point, so wireless carriers must shut down the 3G network to make way for more efficient technologies that can keep up with usage. This isn’t the first time older networks have shut down—the original analog and 2G networks from the late 1990s were turned off several years ago to make way for 3G, and later 4G. Newer technologies are poised to replace the 3G network, but there may be a period of time with reduced coverage as county and city governments work to process the applications
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Older 3G mobile phones may have to be replaced. from carriers needed to make those upgrades. Knowing that 3G networks will shut down in 2022, you should consider now whether this will impact you. Depending on where you live or travel, and what types of subscriber equipment you own, the effects of the 3G shutdown may range from non-existent to significant. Rural areas of Santa Cruz County are most likely to be impacted by the shutdown, but it’s possible we will see impacts in suburban and even urban areas. If you’re one of the 170 million people in the U.S. who rely on wireless cellular for your home phone use, you should turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi while in your home, and look at your phone’s display to determine what type of service you have. If your phone’s display shows 4G or 5G, you’re good to go for home service. If the display shows 3G, or if you still have a flip-phone or an older Blackberry, you’re definitely in the impacted group, and should contact your carrier to explore options for getting a new phone. Some carriers are offering promotions on replacement phones. If you’re not interested in a smartphone, some carriers offer 4G-capable flip-phones. Be aware that, as you travel throughout the county, you may lose coverage in areas where you previously had no issues. Again, these gaps will be resolved as the carriers bring up 3G replacement networks, but for a time you may experience dropped phone calls, and text messages may be delayed until you move back into coverage. “3G” page 20
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / February 2022 / 19
