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SOME MEDICAL, HOME SECURITY DEVICES ON 3G Jettisoning 3G doesn’t affect just phones. Certain home security systems, in-car SOS services, Kindle readers, medical devices, smartwatches,

tablets and other devices have also been dependent on 3G. The Alarm Industry Communications Committee, a group composed of representatives from home security and personal emergency response

system companies, was especially concerned about the shutdown of AT&T’s 3G network because most of its devices use that carrier. Their devices are installed in homes to report break-ins,

fires and medical emergencies and include emergency button and pendant services that help older adults stay in their homes. The problem for the industry came in part because of the

coronavirus pandemic. Replacing base stations that transmit information to a monitoring service or emergency responders often meant a home visit to change out equipment. Computer chip

shortages also affected availability of new devices. “We’re talking about life-saving devices,” Tom Kamber, executive director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)/Senior Planet from

AARP, told WUSA-TV, Washington. “We’re not talking about somebody’s stereo speakers switching out on them while they’re listening to a Beatles record.” A similar device, such as a Kindle or

tablet that operated on a 3G cell network, can hook up to Wi-Fi if it finds no wireless signal. But most 3G security equipment couldn't use that option and needed to be replaced. IS 

YOUR PHONE AFFECTED? If you have a device from 2012 or before, your phone’s call-making ability is almost certainly kaput by now though some other features may continue to work. Not just

flip phones and feature phones are affected. Some early smartphones may also be affected, and you can’t always tell by the name marketers use. For example, AT&T points out that a Samsung

Galaxy S20 G981U or G981U1 will work on its network post 3G. But Galaxy S20 models G981F, G981N and G9810 will not work. AT&T published a lengthy list of models it says will continue to

work. You can check the device settings to determine which version of a handset you have. Of course, if your phone can no longer make or receive calls, you have your answer. Just because

you own a smartphone with the 4G label, doesn't guarantee it will handle calls either. Early on, the 4G designation referred to data-only network services, such as photo sharing, social

media, internet browsing and so on. But those 4G phones fell back on older network technology standards for voice calls, Fogg says. Only when VoLTE (Voice over Long Term Evolution) or HD

Voice came along did 4G matter for calls. too. If you still have an iPhone 5, introduced in 2012, 2013’s Samsung Galaxy S4 or prior models, they won’t be able to make or receive regular

calls now that 3G is history. Certain other devices may be able to handle calls only after a software update to VoLTE or HD Voice.