2G and 3G cellular network shutdowns are occurring across the world. Especially in regions such as Asia, Australia and Western Europe. This accelerating trend is also known as the ‘3G sunset’.
For instance, in Germany, complete 2G shutdown is expected to occur by December 31, 2025. 3G networks have already been shut down. Similarly, Japan and Singapore have already shut down all 2G and 3G cellular services.
This means that all businesses with existing IoT devices that rely on these technologies will face new challenges.
While this may seem like a daunting prospect, the good news is that the transition to other available technologies like 4G, 5G can offer a variety of benefits to help your business remain competitive. This extends to improved capabilities, lower costs, and easier device management.
We are here to guide you through this change. Giving you deeper insights into the 3G sunset and how it will affect your IoT fleet.
What is the 3G Sunset?
Since 2001, 3G has been the predominant technology for wireless mobile telecommunications. However, as mobile network operators continue to advance their networking capabilities, 3G (and 2G) connectivity is being phased out.
The concept of “sunsetting” refers to this process. Shutting down 3G technology and replacing it with other, newer technologies, such as 4G or 5G.
This transition will not happen overnight and there is no universal deadline for the 3G shutdown. Most carriers indicate shutdown deadlines approximately 2 years ahead of the intended date, encouraging existing users to upgrade their technology.
Will my IoT devices work after the 3G shutdown?
The simple answer is – no.
Once the 3G network is shut down, older IoT devices will become inoperable. This is because updated hardware and new connectivity solutions will be needed to keep devices up and running.
There are exceptions though. If a carrier intended to maintain a hybrid 2G/4G network (e.g., British Telecom), 3G devices can still connect. However, these devices will experience significantly slower data transmissions and possible timeouts.
Yet, as recently as 2019, there were still as many as 80 million 3G devices in use in North America, according to RCR Wireless.
Despite this, many companies have delayed upgrading their IoT devices for several reasons. Primarily due to the complexity and costs of updating numerous devices, as well as their underlying management architecture.
The transition can also be challenging with added issues including potential security risks, fleet management and integration with legacy equipment.
How can you prepare your IoT fleet?
Here are some 4 recommendations to prepare your current IoT fleet to transition to newer connectivity options:
- Make a through assessment of your current IoT estate
- Explore your options
- Develop a plan and roll out timeline
- Consider managed services
Thoroughly audit your current IoT fleet
Identify the devices in your IoT fleet that are currently using a 2G or 3G network. This will help you determine which ones need to be upgraded or replaced.
Identify critical devices that require immediate attention and prioritize their upgrades or replacements. This may include devices that are used for critical functions or those that are mission critical.
If you’re not sure where to start, you could always reach out to one of our industry experts who can help you reach that decision.
Explore your options
Once you have an idea of which 3G devices to upgrade or replace, start researching your alternative connectivity options.
This includes technology such as LTE-M, NB-IoT, or even LoRa and SigBee, for more advanced and efficient connectivity options for IoT devices.
Our previous article about different connectivity options provides a good overview of your choices. Or, try our global, low-cost SIMs in various form factors. With OTA capabilities, these enable you to future-proof your IoT devices and avoid costly upgrades down the line.
Develop a budget and timeline
Naturally any change or upgrade in technology comes with a series of investments and unforeseen contingencies.
Depending on your IoT use case and priorities, you might have to purchase new modems rather than merely swapping out a SIM. More technical upgrades may even require a technician to set up, adding to project costs.
Accounting for these expenditures should pair with creating a timeline for upgrading or replacing your 3G devices. This can help you ensure that you stay ahead of the 3G sundown deadline.
Consider managed services
Rather than undertaking this all on your own, consider partnering with a service provider. These industry experts have the knowledge and expertise to help you upgrade and manage your IoT fleet.
That will also allow you to focus on your business during the entire transition, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
In the long-run, this will help you reduce costs and minimize downtime and lead to a streamlined fleet management experience.
Closing thoughts
We understand that change can be daunting. Yet, in this case, it is simply inevitable if you have potentially outdated devices.
If you’re interested in upgrading your IoT fleet and are looking for a reliable partner, book a meeting with one of our industry experts today.
Or better yet, like we said, try out our SIMs today, with no obligations. This will give you a chance to learn more about our award-winning cellular IoT technology and how we can best help you achieve your business goals.