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GET AHEAD OF THE GAME AND UPDATE YOUR TECHNOLOGY NOW.
Both 2G and 3G systems first appeared in the 80’s. In four decades, technology has evolved more rapidly than we could have imagined. The next phase of that evolution is coming quickly, and for some carriers, it is already here. Certain technology in your equipment leverage cellular networks to communicate data. As the United States transitions to 4G/LTE cellular networks, all technology that operates on 2G or 3G cellular networks will stop communicating, or go dark, and must be replaced with a 4G-capable device.
PLAN AHEAD FOR THESE CARRIER SHUTDOWN DATES
Both 2G and 3G devices will be shut down on the following dates, based on which network you utilize. The team at Butler Machinery will help you minimize downtime, or avoid it altogether, by migrating you to 4G/LTE prior to these dates:
| Carrier | 2G Shutdown | 3G Shutdown |
| Verizon | 12/31/2020 | 12/31/2020 |
| AT&T | 2/28/2022 | 2/28/2022 |
| T-Mobile | 12/31/2020 | 12/31/2020 |
| Sprint | 12/31/2021 | 12/31/2022 |
WHAT DEVICES ARE AFFECTED BY 2G/3G SHUTDOWN?
All 2G and 3G network devices will be affected and will fully cease communicating data on your network’s shutdown date.
WHAT IMPACT WILL 2G/3G SUNSET HAVE ON EQUIPMENT OPERATION?
Both 2G and 3G connected devices will stop reporting data to all user interfaces when these cellular networks shut down. If your equipment has production management systems that communicate via a 2G/3G device, then that functionality will no longer report to the back office on the go-dark date if the device is not updated. However, no impact to the physical operation of your equipment is expected due to this.
WHEN WILL 4G/LTE or 5G CELLULAR DEVICES BE AVAILABLE?
Butler will guide you and transition assets to the current upgraded devices for your organization and do our best to minimize interruptions to your production.
WILL THE 4G/LTE DEVICES BE COMPATIBLE WITH 2G AND 3G NETWORKS?
4G/LTE devices are designed to be compatible with legacy networks, so they are expected to operate in 2G and 3G network regions. We can advise you regarding other brands of technology that you may have and their compatibility with 2G and 3G networks.
CAN I KEEP MY PHONE NUMBER?
Yes, in most all cases there will be no need to change the phone number when upgrading the modem. Your current data plan for the 2G/3G device will be the same plan used for the new 4G device, the only noticeable change will be the device ID on the plan.
WILL SATELLITE DEVICES BE IMPACTED BY GO DARK DATES?
No, satellite devices/assets operate on a satellite network and the impacted devices/assets operate on a Cellular network. Therefore, the satellite devices that were updated for the GPS Time Rollover Occurrence will not be affected by 2G/3G Obsolescence.
WILL REPLACEMENT OF A DEVICE AFFECT MY SUBSCRIPTION?
After upgrading your connected device hardware, work with your Butler Machinery Technology Specialist or Network Service Provider to insure connectivity services.
WILL REPLACING THE DEVICE CAUSE A LOSS OF MACHINE HISTORY IN USER INTERFACES (UIs)?
No, the machine history will remain in the user interface. In the unlikely event of a loss of historical data, Butler will work with you regarding historical data retrieval.
WILL THERE BE ANY CHANGES TO SUBSCRIPTION COSTS?
No. There will not be any changes due to the 2G/3G shutdown.
