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Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

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Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#81

A lot of people in car forums are super upset about this and angry with their specific automaker. But of course, it is happening to all of them that haven't moved off of 3G. https://www.toyota.com/audio-multimedia/support/3g-faq/ https://lexus2.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10537/~/... https://www.subaru.com/3g-network-retirement.html?SIE=9ad00c... Etc. https://autobala.com/how-3g-shutdown-in-2022-will-ruin-yo…

A few years back I got a handful of letters about getting my Nissan LEAF's radio updated from 2g to 3g. They wanted to charge me $200 USD for it. I didn't bother and it's ended up resulting in very little change for me - Mostly features I didn't really use. It's nice to know what just a few years later I'd be facing the same problem again.

Hey, look at the upside - “unplugging” your car from the Internet may make it more secure.

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#82
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the EU new cars now are mandated to have an automatic way to call the emergency services after a crash, I wonder if the governments have a clause about what would happen if 3G is turned off (I guess they're not planning to do that for a while yet). If I were in power and I genuinely cared about saving the planet, I'd figure out how to make cars without this auto-emergency-dial system more expensive to insure; that…

Why use such an indirect and backwards method? If you were in power, you could just tax non-green cars, rather than promote cars that become useless in 5 years when technology moves on.

3G has been mainstream in the US since the mid 2000s. Granted it depends on when you purchase your car, but getting almost 20 years out of the technology is pretty good. Most cars will be scrap after that long. I'm not sure where you came up with 5 years.

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#83
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As a side effect, anyone still using a 3G device needs to buy a new one, but I don't think that is the main driver for the move. Despite the positives, this feels kind of sad. If you look at software, many of the older browsers out there can't even open simple modern webpages. After years, i grow weary of the churn, i've gone from Windows 98 to Windows 10 now, through numerous versions of Debian/Ubuntu and CentOS/F…

Cell phones and mobile devices in general have always been disposable items with limited expected lifespans. Instead of worrying about keeping obsolete devices working we should focus on clean disposal and recycling that minimizes waste and pollution.

Keep in mind, the thread you've replied in is related to 3G modems on fire alarm panels. Critical safety infrastructure isn't the same as the latest smart gadget. As we've moved to putting modems on more infrastructure, it's something to keep in mind.

I'm sure we'll see more of this post-5G. There's such a huge push to get 5G-connected IoT devices into every corner of society, we'll have to seriously reconsider how limited the lifespans of these technologies should be.

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#84
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's simply wrong. In the US at least, prior to 2010 cell phones were typically replaced about every 3 years. The Motorola Razr flip phone was absolutely a fashion accessory in 2004; watch some music videos from that era. Motorola and other brands did push out new models every year.

I'm not "simply wrong." I just has a cell phone long before you did.

So you're describing your own behavior, not the typical consumer. I'm on my 10th cell phone since 1996. Most other consumers are about the same.

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A few years back I got a handful of letters about getting my Nissan LEAF's radio updated from 2g to 3g. They wanted to charge me $200 USD for it. I didn't bother and it's ended up resulting in very little change for me - Mostly features I didn't really use. It's nice to know what just a few years later I'd be facing the same problem again.

Hey, look at the upside - “unplugging” your car from the Internet may make it more secure.

In the Leaf's case, anyone with your VIN (ie anyone who can walk up to you car and look through the windshield) could turn on your car's AC over the internet and run the battery down. Whoops.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/02/nissans-connected-car-a...

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#88

Newer phone networks are much more efficient than old ones. For a certain amount of 3G spectrum the carrier can serve more customers at higher data rates with 4G or 5G. From their viewpoint it is expensive to keep serving 3G customers.

Ironically 2g will still be around forever as a fallback and so much industrisl equipment relies on it At least thats what uk operators told me

That used to be the case, ( ~2018 ) when MNO around the world have a similar stance, have 2G as Fall Back, and switching off 3G. But more and more operators are now thinking of the idea switching off both 2G and 3G within the next 5-10 years. So their whole network will be IP based.

I think that greatly depends how much they can continue to milk those 2G / 3G equipment. And the pandemic has speed things up a little bit.

Re: Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service

#89
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been told that on my Subaru, if I subscribe to the services that need it, they will do the upgrade for free. But if I don't subscribe, they won't do it at all. I'm fine with that, I am unreasonably against subscriptions, lol.

I’m unreasonably against both subscriptions and cars having modems.

I suppose thats fine if your car isn’t doing any of the driving. Otherwise I might want my car talking to the outside world.
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