“Within 2 years of the projected start date of the 3G network turndowns we replaced our  inventory with the newest GPS technology.”

At its core, technology is about progress. Small-scale, we see this with software updates on mobile phones. Large-scale, we see this with events like CES where completely new technology is showcased to the public. In this spirit of progress, Cellular Providers/ Telecoms are always improving their networks- combining robust infrastructure with increasingly faster and more reliable connectivity speeds. 

In the US and US Territories, we are seeing the cellular infrastructure improve in real time with the full release of the LTE and 5G network. Since the end of 2016, the primary cellular network has been 3G. But now, the 3G network is nearing a full shut down in the US. AT&T shut down 3G in February 2022 and T-Mobile is actively shutting off the remainder of their 3G network. Verizon is shutting off 3G by December 2022 and Sprint completed their shutdown in June. 

The past serves as precedent. Since the dawn of cellular communication, revamps of the network have occurred every 5-6 years. We’ve seen this happen with 1G through 3G. And in the future, this will happen with LTE and 5G. At this time, though, the major players have confirmed LTE and 5G will be the norm for at least a decade. 

So, what is LTE and 5G? These are two separate cellular signals whose unique strengths are designed to fix current issues and allow burgeoning tech to have a reliable network to work off of.  5G is built for what we call “streaming” - music, movies, TV shows, Audiobooks, etc. Standing outdoors with a solid 5G signal, you can download a movie in as quick as 2 seconds flat. LTE is built to carry the kind of data GPS trackers use. While still fast, LTE is designed to reliably connect in areas 5G may have trouble. It is built to be a workhorse and securely carry personal GPS location data.

Now you may ask, “Why would I need to replace older devices? Wouldn’t a software update work?” 

With each network improvement, starting with 1G, it causes the signal to physically have a different shape. Thinking back to science class, these signals are literal waves that undulate. Over the years, these signals have gotten more compact with 5G being the most streamlined to date. Because the signal itself is physically different, the hardware needs to be designed for that specific signal. Likewise, looking at it from a GPS angle, improvements to batteries, GPS modules, and even protective casings also occur. When the network upgrades, it’s time for a fully new device. 

This is why within 2 years of the projected start date of the 3G network turndowns we replaced our  inventory with the newest GPS technology. That means we started selling LTE vehicle devices in 2019. With the release of the PocketFinder LTE-M1 Smart Tracker in 2021, our personal tracking customers also have the latest in mobile tracking technology.

While upgrading to new hardware can be deemed a chore, the benefits far outweigh the cost. PocketFinder serves both families tracking vulnerable loved ones and businesses working to provide the best service they can. Knowing you can reliably track when grandma is at the store, the driving habits of your teenager, or when an employee arrives at a work site is imperative to our clientele, so it is imperative to us. With LTE, now more than ever, the network is built for reliable GPS tracking.