End of an era: T-Mobile finally closes the door on 2G for good

https://www.androidauthority.com/t-mobile-2g-service-3693986/

156 points · 20 comments · view on lemmy.world

20 Comments

Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org · 19 pts · 32d (11 replies)

So many automated services still rely on 2G

kalleboo@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 32d

Not any more!

Yaky@slrpnk.net · 10 pts · 31d (3 replies)

Someone I know got screwed over when 3G shut down. Their business used an alarm system with a 3G modem (using a cheap data-only SIM card).

The "updated" version requires subscriptions, an app, and goes through manufacturer's servers, so more expensive, and several more points of failure.

CADmonkey@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 31d (2 replies)

I have an older EV that used 3G for app access and maybe other stuff I haven't noticed. It still runs but I can't do things like tell it to preheat/cool the cabin from my phone. Its not an issue for me personally, the car has a timer function, and I can just set it to cool down at x time.

But its interesting seeing abandoned protocols.

talentedkiwi@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 31d (1 reply)

You can get an updated modem from Nissan if you wanted. My boss did that, but I don't remember the cost.

CADmonkey@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 31d

The Android Auto still works, but to be completely and embarassingly honest, I have had a car with bluetooth for ten years and I think I have only used it once. I'm just weird like that. I just put some tunes on a USB and its good enough.

EncryptKeeper@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 32d (5 replies)

Like what

paraphrand@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 32d (3 replies)

I think things like commercial and high end home automation. And security stuff. I might be mistaken tho.

And it might sound like that’s old and out of date. But it stuck around cuz it was reliable.

errer@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 32d

I’d think this is a good thing then for that, less interference

Brkdncr@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 32d (1 reply)

They’ve been phasing it out for years.

paraphrand@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 32d

Yeah, for sure. But I think we both know how some technology manages to stick around surprisingly long.

Even so, this is different. Spectrum use is a different animal from fax machines, COBOL and Windows CE.

perfectly_boiled_pizza@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 31d

eCall, alarm systems, elevators and many types of sensors.

2G should die though. You can use the frequencies for 4G/5G to get better reception.

And if the thing depending on 2G has the space for it (like a car or an elevator) then the thing can be upgraded with hardware that supports 4G/5G.

...Unless the manufacturer is a dick and wants you to buy a whole new thing. I suspect that this will happen a lot.

morto@piefed.social · 14 pts · 32d (6 replies)

Just when some people are getting interested in reviving old dumbphones

Humanius@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 32d (2 replies)

The dumbphones being released now should all work on modern networks. The connection being 4G / 5G doesn't mean the phone must have an internet browser and an app store.

magic_smoke@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 31d

If I can't use my Nokia N-Gage, what's the point?

morto@piefed.social · 4 pts · 31d

Yes, but they're new phones, not old phones revival

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 31d (2 replies)

I have a dumb phone that works on 4G and uses voiceover LTE for its calling, so you can still use a dumb phone.

Just because the underlying network is 4G or 5G doesn't mean you have to have a web browser and all the smartphone stuff.

morto@piefed.social · 4 pts · 31d (1 reply)

I have a dumb phone that works on 4G and uses voiceover LTE for its calling, so you can still use a dumb phone.

Of course you can, but buying new isn't the same as reviving the old ones

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 31d

Yeah, fair enough

solrize@lemmy.ml · 12 pts · 32d

I had no idea that 2G worked til just now. Damn. I had to reluctantly mothball my 3G phone some years ago, but maybe there was a way to keep using it on 2G until now.