Three is switching off 3G to boost it's 5G and 4G netwoks

It will soon be the end of an era for Three, as the network has announced that it’s switching off its 3G service at the end of 2024, so at the time of writing there’s only two and a half more years of 3G availability on Three.

This is a big step, but it’s a logical one, as it will allow the network to repurpose the spectrum and investments that it’s using for 3G to boost 5G and 4G instead.

Of course, this might be a worry for anyone still using a 3G-only phone, but that’s likely a small number of people, and that number will be even smaller by the end of 2024. The reality is that just about every phone sold these days supports 4G, and a large number support 5G too, so it’s only really going to be ancient handsets that are stuck on 3G.

No need for 3G

Already Three has found that 5G usage on its network exceeds that of 3G, and by the time 3G is switched off it’s likely that only a tiny fraction of devices will be connecting to 3G for any length of time. That’s down to both people upgrading to newer 5G and 4G devices, and coverage for these technologies improving.

You might be worried about what impact the lack of 3G will have on coverage even if your phone is capable of higher speeds – after all, there are still rare occasions when there’s a 3G signal but not a 4G or 5G one. But Three covers 99.8% of the UK population with its 4G network, and that coverage – along with 5G - is only going to improve in the next two and half years.

Once Three can repurpose the spectrum being used for 3G, coverage will likely improve even more. So it’s unlikely that you’ll feel the lack of 3G, and if anything you’ll probably have a better experience for its absence.

Three has also pledged to work with customers who are still using 3G-only devices, to make sure they stay connected.

So this change should be a good thing for just about everyone, and Three isn’t alone in switching off 3G. EE and Vodafone both plan to switch it off during 2023, while O2 will be doing so by 2033 at the latest – and probably much sooner.

Source: James Rogerson. 5g.co.uk

Greater Manchester bus network drives into the digital age

A major Greater Manchester bus operator will move into the digital age with a new radio communications system developed to provide a range of benefits to the travelling public.

The new digital radio system designed and deployed by industry leader TES Communication Solutions will be capable of enhanced voice, data and fleet management functionality for the fleet of bus operator Go North West.

Serving regions across Greater Manchester, including Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Warrington, the upgrade will make the buses some of the best equipped in the UK to manage bus movements, enjoy reliable real-time communications, and enhance passenger safety.

Connor Lomas, of Go North West, said: “This upgrade to the latest technology will revolutionise the way we are able to manage our services with increased ability to communicate between drivers, inspectors and central control.”

“The travelling public of Greater Manchester will see the benefits and we will be working with TES to ensure this happens as efficiently and as quickly as possible.”

Driver and passenger safety has been key in the design of the system. Dedicated control channels mean that emergency calls can be pro-actively prioritised regardless of system traffic, and a dedicated backhaul infrastructure largely independent of public cellular networks means that in the event of a major incident in key areas Go North West will still be able to communicate with vehicles to manage a fluid response.

The managed services agreement between TES Communication Solutions and Go North West will mean that TES also takes ongoing system ownership responsibility for the commercial and technical maintenance of the infrastructure sites that provide city coverage, the vehicle radios, and compliance matters including Ofcom licence management.

Steve Smith, managing director of TES, said: “This agreement brings a new level of service for the operator, people and communities using these buses across Greater Manchester.

“We have a long history of providing radio communications to a significant proportion of the Greater Manchester transport network and this next step will upgrade the Go North West fleet and infrastructure to a technology fit for the future.

“Our designers and engineers will be working closely with the Go North West team to deploy a radio network which is proven for large regional operators but tailored for Go North West’s specific operational needs.

“TES also work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and as part of a digital radio roadmap have delivered same technology digital radios for the latest generation of Metrolink trams. We are delighted to deploy a technology fit for the future of radio communications across the Greater Manchester transport network.”

Source: TES

Smart IoT Data Solutions to deliver Community Improvements for London Parks

Two pilot projects commencing in South London will use smart IoT technology to review usage of local green spaces in Sutton, while ensuring safety and security for a building set to be demolished in Kingston. North, the UK’s leading IoT service and solutions provider, is delivering the project for South London Partnerships, and has teamed up with Daizy for software development support. The Innovate UK funded pilots will see sensors installed in access points to parks and recreational grounds across Sutton, in addition to an old residential building on Cambridge Road Estate. Seven parks will be monitored as part of the project in Sutton including Manor Park, Cheam Park and Carshalton Park. Sensors are being installed around the parks to review whether the local community are getting best use out of their local green space, if investment is needed and if the pandemic has shifted trends in local park usage. North is working in close consultation with Sutton Council to review footfall data from 30 key points of interest around the parks, including entrance points and access to playgrounds within the park, giving insight into whether the green spaces meet the needs of local people. In Kingston, work is taking place within the old residential building to prepare for demolition, and it is essential that the building remains empty to ensure health and safety standards are met. The sensors will be installed throughout the 130 previous residential properties and will notify central systems of movement within the building. The sensors will help combat any antisocial behaviour and support with security of the vacant building. The pilot projects are just two examples of how IoT technology can be used to improve local communities, with smart data used to track trends in the area, meet the needs of the community, and ensure the safety of residents. Mark Lowe, Business Development Director at North, said: “The pilot projects in South London demonstrate two excellent examples of how smart IoT technology can be used to transform our communities. Used in two different areas for varying purposes, they will both use data to improve the local community – one to ensure safety and combat antisocial behaviour and the other to improve local green spaces for those living nearby. “We are thrilled to be working with each of the local councils, South London Partnerships, and Daizy to deliver innovative IoT solutions that enhance the local area.” Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of the Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee at Sutton Council, said: “Sutton’s parks have benefitted so many residents during these difficult times and continue to do so. This is why I’m excited for us to be trialling this technology to make the parks and facilities as clean and safe as they can be. “By using this technology it will help us to find out the true number of visitors using our parks and will enable us to act accordingly, continuing our commitment to and vision of being a green borough.”

Source: North Tech