Telecommunication companies around the globe are shutting down the 3G network. In Australia and New Zealand, this move is nearing a conclusion with major players in the market declaring that the 3G network will cease to exist in 2024. In the US, the transition away from 3G has already been made by several providers. With many existing alarm systems utilizing the 3G network, the change has large implications for the security industry.
In this article we explore the 3G shutdown, how it will affect the security industry, and how you can prepare your customers.
What is 3G?
3G, or "third generation" mobile network technology, served as a bridge between the slower, clunkier 2G and the high-speed world of 4G. Launched in the early 2000s, it revolutionized our mobile lives by enabling faster data transfers, opening the door to mobile internet browsing, video calls, and even basic streaming. Now that the 3G network is being retired, some of those devices will stop working, and not all of them are personal mobile phones.
Why is the 3G network shutting down?
There are multiple reasons why providers are discontinuing the 3G network, the primary of which being the spectrum crunch. The radio frequencies used by 3G are precious real estate and as demand for data skyrockets, there is simply not enough free frequencies available. Re-purposing 3G frequencies for 4G and 5G allows for faster and wider bandwidth.
Shutting down 3G also aligns with the move toward newer technology. 3G technology is largely outdated in the ever-evolving world of mobile networks. 4G and 5G offer superior benefits over 3G technology making them the clear choice for the future.
Finally, the 4G and 5G networks are future-proof. Investing in these networks will ensure the groundwork is laid for more advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), which often require faster speeds than what is available on 3G networks.
When are the 3G networks expected to shut down?
In New Zealand, Spark’s 3G network will be retired towards the end of 2025. One NZ (formerly Vodafone), plans to shut down its 3G services by the end of 2024.
In Australia, Telstra’s 3G network will be decommissioned by June 2024 followed by Optus in September 2024. Vodafone Australia already switched off their 3G network in December 2023.
Meanwhile in the US, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile discontinued the service in 2022.
How does this impact the security industry?
For the security industry, the 3G sunset paints a complex picture. While it offers the potential for faster alarm communication via 4G and 5G networks, it also presents immediate challenges.
Alarm systems installed prior to 2018 often contain 3G compatible communicators or 3G GSM dialers. This hardware is used to send alarm information to third-party monitoring providers, acting as a back-up option to the primary internet connection. Monitoring companies rely on receiving alarms to be able to quickly respond to emergencies or intruder detections on the customers behalf.
With the closure of the 3G network, these alarm systems will no longer have a back-up method of sending alarms. This will leave businesses who rely on third-party monitoring services vulnerable if their primary internet connection was to go down. Complicating matters further, a business may be unaware of the issue as the system will appear to be functioning normally.
How to prepare your customers for the 3G shutdown
Moving your customers to a system that supports the 4G network, like the app-based solution Gallagher SMB, will future-proof their security. The 4G network is early in its life cycle and offers direct benefits to your customers over its 3G counterpart thanks to the superior infrastructure that supports it. They’ll experience a faster more reliable network, that also offers greater coverage.
To provide your customers with better peace of mind, a security system that can use multiple different paths to communicate alarms ensures maximum redundancy. With Gallagher SMB, you can configure the system to send alarms via the Permaconn router, or via an ethernet connection using the controllers built-in IP Alarms functionality. The Permaconn router supports dual sim cards, so if one network provider drops out or has poor coverage, it will automatically switch to the other. This gives your customer’s confidence that the monitoring company will always be able to receive their alarms.
Alternatively, Gallagher SMB has options you can offer your customers outside of third-party monitoring. They can self-monitor their own security, in which they receive all the details surrounding their own alarms via the SMB app and can respond accordingly. With the Guarding subscription enabled, they will have the option to request a security guard to check on their site directly from the app, if they deem it to be necessary.
The 3G network shutdown presents a crucial opportunity to modernize security systems and leverage the speed and reliability of newer networks.
The future of mobile network technology and security
As the sun sets on the 3G era, a new dawn of faster, more efficient connectivity awaits. While the shutdown creates some challenges, helping your customer understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ empowers them to make informed decisions. From upgrading devices to exploring alternative solutions, proactive planning is key.
The transition also presents opportunities. Modernizing systems with 4G and 5G capabilities strengthens security and offers many benefits. In light of our transition towards a more interconnected future, it is imperative that we reflect upon the influence of 3G technology and embrace future-proofed solutions.
To migrate your security system to one with 4G capabilities, contact our team today.
