3G SERVICE CLOSING - So you’ve likely seen all the TV commercials about faster cellphone service called “5G”. It’s the latest fifth-generation cellular technology that is being rolled out by the different carriers who hope to get new customers but this new technology is likely to cause disruptions among customers with older cellphones and digital devices. Tom Kamber is the executive director of Older Adults Technology Services and Senior Planet from AARP he explains what’s happening.
"They're closing down the part of the spectrum that relates to the older technology that is still out there that is called third-generation or 3G technology," Kamber said.
And 3G technology doesn’t just affect cellphones either as it’s used in different wireless devices like house alarms.
"And people that are using devices, they need check on those devices and make sure they get upgrades before the networks shut down in order to avoid breakage in their service," Kamber said.
Kamber says to check with your service provider’s website as they likely have device compatibility information posted about the spectrum change or call their customer service. Be sure to have the device model name and number handy. And you might even be able to get a free device upgrade from your service provider if you ask.
"We do encourage people to try to get no-cost upgrades," Kamber explained. "Ask the companies to provide you with the same quality service but without spending extra money if you can avoid it and in many cases that would be possible."
The deadline for the change is February 22nd so you don’t want to wait until the last minute. And if you’d like to read more about this change and what it means to you, there’s the website:
https://www.aarp.org/end-of-3g-service.html
