Posted on 02/25/2022 5:43:53 PM PST by blam
While the world is looking forward to the future of 5G – as soon as we can figure out how to implement it without screwing up our entire air travel infrastructure – the demise of 3G is quietly wreaking havoc with some automakers, according to a new report from CNBC.
“Millions of car owners” are affected by 3G dropping off the map, the report notes. Many vehicles use 3G networks for updates and remote communication, including models manufactured by Tesla, Audi, Honda and Nissan.
The affectionately titled “network sunset” of 3G renders some features on these models, and many other products including home security systems, obsolete. While some vehicles will still function normally, CNBC notes that “others could lose automatic emergency response services in the event of a crash and certain infotainment and convenience features such as real-time navigation and smartphone app features such as pre-cabin conditioning”.
Kenny Hawk, CEO of Mojio, commented: “This is crazy times, when you think about it. 3G did not come out that long ago and the first sunset is already happening. You’ve got a lot of vehicles out there … that had 3G embedded telematics control units, modems and antennas that will only work on 3G networks.”
AT&T is leading the charge in winding down 3G, and will be followed by T-Mobile and Verizon. AT&T told CNBC: “Since February of 2019, we have worked with automotive manufacturers to help them transition their connected cars to newer technology before 3G services end February 22. Customers have received, and will receive additional, communications as we work with them on this transition, including direct mail, bill messages, emails and text messages.”
William Wallace, Consumer Reports’ manager of safety policy, called the situationa “slow motion disaster”. “Congress needs to get on this and make sure that this total disaster doesn’t happen again with 4G,” Wallace said.
He continued: “We’re talking about millions of vehicles that will lose features that were promised to owners, and that no longer will be delivered. In some cases, those features are safety features, things that can help them from dying or getting seriously injured after a crash.”
Guidehouse Insights principal analyst Sam Abuelsamid added: “Manufacturers, on a case-by-case, are taking a look at how many people are actually impacted by this shutdown of 3G and as they inevitably do with anything, they’re making a decision about are there enough people that are going to be impacted by this to justify developing some sort of upgrade?”
“Although these circumstances were created by factors beyond our control, we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause,” Toyota told its owners.
I want an ASR33 Teletypewriter badly.
If you turn the transmitter on, yes they could track it even though no tower would respond to it.
Incorrect! EMP induces a voltage in any coil regardless of it being in a functioning circuit or not. If the coil is not connected to something that can be hurt, no harm will be done because no current will flow. The induced voltage is usually not enough to cause an arc.
If the tractor is running the EMP can take it out.
No, see above. Equipment does not have to be on to be damaged. An old tractor does not contain anything that can be damaged by a voltage surge.
EMP destroys semiconductors, not passive components. Capacitors can be damaged by over-voltage from coils; but, this is not very likely. Vacuum tube circuits recover from EMP strikes; and they contain numerous coils, capacitors, and resistors.
My car manufacturer wants to sell navigation updates that are over a decade old for over $100.
I have an old ibm selectric somewhere. it is the kind with the keys on stems not a ball.
Later these cool machines appeared as the console keyboard/typewriter of the IBM SYS/360 computer.
Take care of your typewriter.
Selectric was great. I could do 110 WPM w/o mistakes on those suckers.
Yours was a “Daisy Wheel”, the replacement for the Selectric. It did well, but was not as long-lived as the Selectric. Electrostatic and ink jet printing replaced all of the mechanical beauties.
It made you want to type something.
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