Will 3G Work in 2021? When is 3G going away?

Most major cellular companies will continue to support 3G through 2021 and part of 2022, but plan to phase out the technology soon afterward.

That said, if you’re on a 3G network, you may want to consider upgrading soon, as you may start seeing connectivity issues before 3G is officially phased out.

In this article, we’ll go over:

• Why 3G is being phased out
• How 3G phasing out impacts security systems
• Benefits of upgrading to newer technology

Wondering how 3G phasing out will impact your home’s security? Call us at 800.552.1111 or contact us online. At Ackerman Security, our security experts are ready to answer your questions and help you upgrade your home or business to newer technology.

Why 3G is being phased out

Technology gets faster and more reliable as it evolves, but also requires infrastructure changes—like changing frequencies and upgrading cellular towers—to support the latest and greatest wireless technology.

3G, the third generation (G) of wireless technology, surfaced in the early 2000s. In terms of security, it was the first technology to enable cellular-based (wireless) alarm systems and security monitoring. Before that, only landline security systems existed.

With the expansion of 4G and emergence of 5G, cellular towers are being updated, which means they will soon no longer be able to support the outdated 3G technology.

How 3G phasing out impacts security systems

Security systems using a 3G network won’t be as reliable once cellular companies start phasing out the technology.

Most of today’s security systems—ours included—communicate over wireless networks to provide the fastest and most secure connection.

If you’re on a 3G network, your security monitoring system eventually won’t be able to send signals to the monitoring center. This means your security system can still function and sound an alarm, but won’t call for help when you need it.

While some companies will continue to support 3G until 2022, you may start seeing connectivity issues well before then as cellular towers are upgraded.

The best way to ensure your security system stays reliable is to upgrade to a new technology, like 4G or 5G.

Learn more about the difference between 3G and newer technologies in our blog, “3G vs. 4G vs. 5G: What’s the Difference?”

Benefits of upgrading to newer technology

4G and 5G technology can provide:

• More secure connectivity. The amount of traffic (i.e. number of devices) a wireless network can take before speeds start slowing depends on the network’s bandwidth. 3G allows for video calling, internet access, and wireless security—although not without some disruption and buffering. 4G and 5G  technologies mean a better quality connection and more connected devices. So you can take video conference calls and the kids stream—all without disrupting your security monitoring or home automation connections.
• Faster speeds. 3G technology can support speeds up to 42 megabits per second (mbps), whereas 4G can provide speeds up to 150 mbps and 5G will be able to offer speeds over 1 gigabit per second (gbps). With newer technology, you’ll get faster security monitoring services and better streaming of video surveillance footage.

Learn more about the benefits of upgrading to 5G in our blog, “Why You Need 5G (Why It’s Better).”

Ackerman Security is ready to help

At Ackerman Security, our technology depends on WiFi and cellular networks to monitor our customer’s homes and businesses. With 3G soon phasing out, newer technology (like 5G) will soon be here to replace it.

We’re here to help our customers make the switch from 3G to better protect their home and business. Call 800.552.1111 or contact us online for a free quote.

For more details on our security services, check our home security systems page or business security systems page.