Automotive Fleet, November 2020

THE CONNECTED FLEET GUIDE 2020 8 The sun is setting on 3G mobile networks and when it sets it wont be coming up again As mobile providers begin to shut down their older infrastructure to make room for faster 5G networks fleets must make a plan for phasing out their 3G devices ideally without any major disruption to their operations What should you know before your 3G devices go dark Here are the most common questions answered WHY ARE 3G NETWORKS GOING AWAY The simplest answer is that the 5G networks providers are ushering in are faster than 3G networks but there isnt room for both A mobile companys digital real estate is known as spectrum and as companies make the switch to 5G there isnt enough bandwidth to continue supporting 3G devices Think of it as a single stall garage with a used car parked inside When you buy a new car youre going to want to park it in the garage but there isnt room for both so the used car has got to go Thats what mobile providers are doing moving 3G devices off their network to make room for the better performance 5G offers WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 3G GOES AWAY Once all of the major mobile service providers have closed down their 3G networks your 3G mobile devices and 2G mobile devices for that matter wont be able to establish a connection But if history is a guide this wont happen all at once When 2G networks were retired a few years ago lower bandwidth telematics devices didnt stop connecting right away Some roaming partners and independent owners of towers in remote areas were slower to replace their infrastructure meaning vehicles in rural areas were still able to find a signal Vehicles operating in urban areas however had to retire 2G devices sooner as providers upgraded towers in those areas first WHEN WILL THE 3G SUNSET HAPPEN Fortunately there is no hard and fast deadline for retiring 3G networks Many 3G SUNSET WHAT IT MEANS FOR FLEETS With the end of 3G connectivity on the horizon fleets need to start thinking about how to transition to 5G now making a plan and working closely with their telematics providers to stay connected 3G SUNSET Mobile providers are moving their 3G devices off their networks to make room for better performing 5G Photo GettyImages com metamorworks