MERRIMAC — Chief Larry S. Fisher and the Merrimac Fire Department wish to provide information about the 3G cellular network shutdown in order to prepare residents for possible impacts.
Mobile carriers plan to retire 3G networks, which rely on older technology, beginning in early 2022 in order to allow for more advanced and reliable network services, including 5G. As a result, some older phones and devices will lose call and data functions, including the ability to contact 911.
Mobile devices, including those older than an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S4, may require an upgrade before the elimination of the 3G network. Residents with older phones are urged to contact their mobile carrier or visit their carrier’s website to determine if a new device or software upgrade is necessary.
The Merrimac Fire Department provides the following dates for when mobile carriers are expected to retire 3G services completely:
- AT&T in February 2022
- T-Mobile Sprint on March 31, 2022
- Verizon by the end of 2022
Residents are reminded that these are the dates for completion and mobile carriers may begin retiring parts of the network earlier. Residents with mobile carriers not listed may still be affected.
“It is crucial for residents to always have the ability to contact emergency services, which is why we must raise awareness about the 3G network shutdown,” Chief Fisher said. “We urge residents to inform their friends, families and loved ones of the shutdown, especially those known to use older devices, so that they may plan for potential loss of service.”
The shutdown may affect other devices as well, including medical devices, tablets, smartwatches, vehicle SOS services, personal emergency alert devices, security systems and more. Residents concerned about a device’s connectivity should contact the monitoring company or service provider to see whether or not the device will be impacted.
For more information about the shutdown, including information about resources to assist eligible consumers with phone upgrades and other internet connectivity costs, please click here.
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