In case you were n’t aware , AT&T ’s 3 G web in the US will be shutting down later this calendar month , and other company will be confining on their heels in shut down theirs this twelvemonth . If you have a new cell sound , you likely have n’t make up much notice to this news program , while people with older twist are scrambling to upgrade to 4 G and 5 G networks to keep their data .

However , this shutdown will have much wider implications than just smartphones – a vast raiment of important devices still run on the old but utterly equal 3 gm web , and the shutdown is going to have some large implications .   Devices including home alarms , in - car assistance features , aesculapian devices , tracking system , and more all still rely on 3 G to work , and while some are being upgraded in time for the shutdown , others will be left behind .

In the US alone , millions of cars utilize 3 grand for their onboard GPS systems , as well as lineament that apprise first responders when the motorcar is involve in an accident . Manufacturers Cheverolet , Buick , and Cadillac have responded to the shutdown with simplesoftware updatesthat will restitute functionality and link the gondola to 4 G connection , but many cable car from other manufacturers will permanently suffer the emergency clangoring notification .

If you are worried about the shock this will have on your car , Consumer Reportshas an up - to - date lean of manufacturer and fashion model that will be affect .

Medical devices will also be polish off by the shutdown , including systems that alert carers when there is an parking brake and even systems that supervise affected role with pacemakers , such as the Merlin@home ™ transmitter . These companies are now send out adapters for the organization that take them , but in other cases , the gadget will have to connect to a WiFi arrangement to maintain net connectivity .

The AT&T 3 gigabyte closedown will happen on February 22 and T - Mobile expects to have their system shut down by the third quarter of this year ; Verizon will likely end theirs by the end of 2022 . For many the great unwashed , it will be a case of totally replacing some devices to remain connected to the cyberspace .

" A few million connected devices in the smart home space still need to be exchange , including my meter for my solar panels , " said Roger Entner , psychoanalyst and beginner of Recon Analytics , reportsCNN .

" Some companies bug out reach out to their customer over the past 2 years informing them that service of process would soon keep out off , but as of 6 months ago , many Cartesian product still have n’t gotten around to supersede them yet . "