Any technologies – from electronic logging devices used to track hours of service to trailer tracking devices – that utilize the 3G network will no longer function by the end of the year as the last remaining carrier turns down its 3G network.
AT&T began the sunset of its 3G network in February, followed by Sprint 3G (T-Mobile) on March 31, Sprint LTE (T-Mobile) on June 30 and T-Mobile 3G on July 1. Now, Verizon is set to sunset its 3G network on Dec. 31.
Jennifer Coreno, product manager for connected devices at Verizon Connect, said they are on track to upgrade all impacted Verizon Connect vehicles in the U.S. by the end of the year and are not planning any extensions to the sunset deadline for fleet management customers.
With the deadline looming, several telematics providers are working to assist trucking companies in last-minute rushes to make the switch to networks with higher capability, including 4G and 5G.
“The ball really does drop on New Year’s Eve,” said Tony Nicoletti, vice president of business development at DPL Telematics. “Like anything, everybody waits to study for the test the night before, so people are scrambling last minute to update their devices. It's human nature, I think, to wait ‘til the last minute.”
Nicoletti said when there’s a sunset, there’s a major disruption for everybody, but it has been especially challenging this go ‘round because of supply chain disruptions preventing vendors from making upgrades due to lack of things like semiconductors. He said DPL has had several calls with customers recently who are behind on the transition, but 90%-plus of its customers have converted to the new network.
For Deseret Transportation, Fleet Manager Steven Roberts said the 3G sunset has been almost imperceptible so far.
