LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — From home security systems and life alert to roadside assistance and tablets, all of these devices will soon power off forever because of the 3G phase-out.
"I think some of the real concerns come with medical devices, your in-car system, that may call for help or notify people for you. But some of these devices won't work at all," Said Alan Pugh, Chief Technology Officer of AMP Mobile Solutions.
Alan Pugh from AMP Mobile Solutions says this 3G phase-out is more than losing the ability to call or text; so many devices we use every day are due for an upgrade.
"People aren't always aware of what everything runs on. A lot of alarm systems now have connection or back up connection to a cellular network," said Pugh.
And starting this month, AT&T customers with 3G devices are losing their ability to make phone calls, even for 911.
"If you have an older phone, it is likely not going to work. It's not going to call 911 and you're not going to get any of your GPS or data connections," Pugh said.
Other leading networks will be ending their 3G services throughout 2022 to make room for 5G in the wireless spectrum.
"If you want to get the faster speeds that everyone wants, you need to make these adjustments," said Pugh.
While it may be an inconvenience now, this shift in cellular will pay off in the long run.
"So I think this is a beginning of a process that continues. As people demand more, we become more reliant on broadband networks and services and instant everything. It takes more bandwidth to supply that," said Pugh.
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