What does the end of 3G mean for your ELD?

What’s going to happen with your 3G ELD and cellphone when 3G wireless service ends, probably sometime in 2022? What should you be doing about it?

The short answer is that your 3G ELD and phone will simply stop working. You should plan to replace both.

The “G” in 3G stands for “generation” and refers to the cellular technology that powers your cellphone. It is defined by standards for the wireless spectrum that enables communication between cellphones and cell towers.

As you probably guessed, 3G was preceded by 1G and 2G. It was followed by 4G and more recently, 5G. Each iteration of cellular technology makes more efficient use of the limited spectrum available to wireless providers. In order to offer more efficiency – faster service and more users – providers have to make room on their available spectrum. Earlier, less-efficient technologies have to go.

For example, what we now call 1G was the voice-only, analog cell service that was deployed beginning in the 1980s. Voice-only 1G service no longer exists in North America. It was superseded beginning in the 1990s by 2G. The second wireless generation replaced analog with digital technology. Verizon and T-Mobile still provide 2G service for legacy customers.

The third generation, or 3G, introduced in 2002, was orders of magnitude faster than 2G.

It made wireless internet access truly practical and accelerated the already popular use of texting, for example. On the iPhone introduced in 2007 and the smartphones that followed, 3G technology had an enormous – you might even say revolutionary – impact.

Trucking was near ground zero. In addition to GPS tracking, smartphone cameras made it possible to photograph and send bills of lading and other documents to speed the billing process for carriers. Smartphones and 3G also made it possible for carriers to peek into your cab in something close to real time and for carriers and brokers to track their loads by tracking you.

In 2012, 4G technology was introduced in the U.S. with speeds roughly 14-times faster than 3G. It rapidly became the new standard. Since then, 3G phones and devices have coexisted alongside 4G.

It’s not really as simple as one, two, three.

Within the generations are variations and underlying technologies with names and acronyms like WiMAX, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), and LTE (Long Term Evolution), among others. You often see 4G referred to as 4G LTE.

Now comes 5G, a technology so fast the Consumer Technology Association says you will be able to download a two-hour movie in 3.6 seconds. Some say you will be able to use 5G to replace cable in your home. Though 5G won’t reach its top speeds for some time while networks are rolled out, it should vastly increase entertainment options in the sleeper.

As that happens, of course, 5G will require more of wireless providers’ limited spectrum. Something has to give. That something is the older 3G service. Providers say 5G will be compatible with many 4G devices, but not with 3G. With 3G on the way out, you will have to replace 3G phones and devices – your 3G ELD, for example.

When will 3G die?

“It depends,” said Tom Gregor, senior vice president with Orbcomm, a provider of wireless tracking, communications, and ELDs among other products for fleets.

The end of 3G service will vary depending on whose network your ELD and phone are on, he explained. AT&T’s 3G service is set to shut down in February. Verizon and T-Mobile still operate legacy 2G systems, which can make a difference – at least where T-Mobile is concerned.

“My current forecast with Verizon is that they’re keeping their 2G and 3G network available until the end of next year. And they will be sunsetting both of those technologies simultaneously. T-Mobile has announced they will sunset their 3G network this October, but they will keep their 2G network alive until December of 2022,” Gregor said.

“So, for a driver that has a T-Mobile device, and 3G goes away this October, their device should still be able to work on the 2G network until next year.” Your 3G ELD or phone will automatically switch to their 2G network, Gregor said.

4G and 5G will co-exist

Since the rollout of 5G is in its infancy, most users will leave 3G coverage for 4G LTE service. According to Gregor and a variety of other sources, 4G will coexist with 5G even as the newer technology becomes widely adopted. That means a move to 4G service should be good for another decade.

Caution

If your wireless generation is not displayed on your unit, contact your wireless provider. Your phone should indicate what network you’re on under the settings menu.

If you are in the market for a new ELD or phone, make sure you specify 4G LTE or just LTE (or 5G if you want to make that leap). Some sellers may have excess inventory of 3G products they want to get rid of. Remember, any 3G product you buy now will only be good for a year or so and even less in the case of AT&T. Be suspicious of extra-low sale prices. Be sure the ELD or phone you’re buying is 4G or 5G.

3G shutdown dates

On its website, AT&T says “The 3G shutdown should be completed by February of 2022.” No specific date is mentioned.

Verizon announced it will shut down its 3G and legacy 2G network on Dec. 31, 2022.

T-Mobile plans to shut down its 3G network in April 2022, but 3G devices like ELDs will automatically switch to the older 2G network, which will function until Dec. 31, 2022. LL