Lou Schneider
Site Team
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Posts
- 13,231
The upcoming 3G cellular network shutdowns will obviously make 3G phones and hotspots obsolete. But other devices like OnStar and in-car navigation systems may also be affected if they use 3G to communicate or download traffic information. Even some 4G hotspots may stop working.
Docj is affiliated with WiFi Ranger. Over on the Escapees Forum he says some 4G hotspots use 3G to log on to the cellular network, then switch to 4G if it's available. These will need an update or replacement to continue working after the 3G shutdown.
Here's a link to docj's posting:
Upcoming 3G shutdown
All of the US carriers are shutting down their 3G networks this year to free up more spectrum for 5G. AT&T is turning off their 3G network in February. T-Mobile and Sprint will follow this summer and Verizon will sunset theirs by the end of 2022.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service#
About the Mobley, I see other ZTE devices but not the VM6200 Mobley listed under "These Wireless Home Phone (WHP) and AT&T Wireless Internet (AWI) devices will still work on our network after we phase out 3G in February 2022"
https://www.att.com/idpassets/images/support/wireless/Devices-Working-on-ATT-Network.pdf
I expect if the shutdown disables the Mobley, SIMs that have been transplanted into other hotspots will be instantly flagged and also disabled. Oh well, $20 a month for unlimited Internet was fun while it lasted.
Docj is affiliated with WiFi Ranger. Over on the Escapees Forum he says some 4G hotspots use 3G to log on to the cellular network, then switch to 4G if it's available. These will need an update or replacement to continue working after the 3G shutdown.
Here's a link to docj's posting:
Upcoming 3G shutdown
All of the US carriers are shutting down their 3G networks this year to free up more spectrum for 5G. AT&T is turning off their 3G network in February. T-Mobile and Sprint will follow this summer and Verizon will sunset theirs by the end of 2022.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service#
About the Mobley, I see other ZTE devices but not the VM6200 Mobley listed under "These Wireless Home Phone (WHP) and AT&T Wireless Internet (AWI) devices will still work on our network after we phase out 3G in February 2022"
https://www.att.com/idpassets/images/support/wireless/Devices-Working-on-ATT-Network.pdf
I expect if the shutdown disables the Mobley, SIMs that have been transplanted into other hotspots will be instantly flagged and also disabled. Oh well, $20 a month for unlimited Internet was fun while it lasted.