What is 3G/4G/CDMA Sunsetting?
In 2020, AT&T announced they would stop providing a “3G/4G non-LTE” wireless network in February of 2022. We understand it will be discontinued sporadically across the country, but AT&T has set a firm sunset date of February 22nd, 2022. Verizon has extended their sunset until December 31st, 2022 for any CDMA devices.
How does it affect our customers?
If your alarm system relies on AT&T’s 3G/4G wireless network as its path of communication with the central monitoring station, your device will cease communicating with the station after the sunset. The same will be true of all Verizon CDMA devices after the sunset date of December 31st, 2022. We began proactively reaching out about upgrading communications technologies for our customers when the sunsetting was initially announced, but at this point, due to the lateness of the hour, we are unable to replace any further AT&T units prior to the shutdown date.
What can I do about it?
If you have not already signed a new contract to replace your 3G/4G non-LTE or CDMA cellular communication device, there are some steps we can take as an interim fix until we can get new units in. Many of our customers have Dual-Path Communicators installed. This means the device can utilize IP as the sole communication path for signals to the central station. In order for IP as the sole path to be code compliant, you must provide an IP drop within 20 feet of the fire alarm or security panel and “the secondary power capacity for all transmitters and shared equipment necessary for the transmission of alarm, supervisory, trouble and other signals located at the premises shall be a minimum of 24 hour.”
Please contact us about reprogramming to IP as sole path communication, and again, we recommend that all 3G/4G non-LTE or Verizon CDMA cellular communication devices be replaced ASAP.
Will something like this affect me again down the line?
Moving forward, we have a new subscription option that protects our customers from future technology obsolescence. We will proactively upgrade the unit as the cellular spectrums are sunset with each new version; i.e. 2G to 3G, 3G to 4GLTE, 4GLTE to 5G, etc. The fee for new equipment, upgrades and installs are included in the subscription, so you won’t have to worry about any sunsets in the future.
