FCC Unlikely to Delay AT&T 3G Sunset, but Devices Can Roam on T-Mobile Network
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel indicated during a news conference Friday that the agency is unlikely to force a delay of AT&T’s 3G shutdown, which starts Tuesday, but she said it got AT&T to agree to allow IoT devices to continue to roam using T-Mobile’s network. The Alarm Industry Communications Committee asked the FCC to delay the sunset for at least 60 days, so its members can work out how roaming would work.
“We have been monitoring this transition for … years and we think we’ve made substantial progress when it comes to both consumer phones and the devices that rely on these networks,” Rosenworcel said: “We will continue to monitor what’s happening.”
The FCC briefed AICC on the roaming agreement Tuesday, said a filing posted Friday in docket 21-304. That same day the group had a call with AT&T. “Members of AICC have rapidly explored the possible use of this roaming arrangement as an interim solution to allow alarm companies an additional four months in which to replace certain existing 3G alarm radios with 4G devices,” the group said: “At first blush, it appears that this solution may be viable for a number of alarm service providers and their customers.”
“Time will be needed to explore the viability of the roaming solution for affected alarm companies” and to “negotiate the necessary arrangements with AT&T and T-Mobile,” AICC said. AT&T said on its website last week: “At the FCC’s urging, we are using roaming options to bridge the IoT transition.”
The alarm industry wants AT&T and T-Mobile to “negotiate a master services agreement with the alarm industry which would allow all capable alarm companies to roam on T-Mobile’s network through AT&T,” AICC said: AT&T advised the group during a call the carrier expects “each individual alarm company to negotiate a separate agreement.” AICC said since there are some 13,000 alarm companies in the U.S. “that approach would be a non-starter.”
The FCC is monitoring the plans of AT&T and other major carriers to retire their 3G networks and refarm the spectrum for 5G, Rosenworcel told reporters. “We are upgrading to the next generation of wireless technology, or 5G, all across the country right now and that’s a good thing for consumers,” she said. “It is also going to mean some change for consumers who still rely on older 3G devices and service.”
The transition “has long been in the works,” but the FCC has to make sure “folks are not left behind,” Rosenworcel said. The change should mean “limited disruptions” for consumers, she said. The agency has been monitoring the shutdown of AT&T and other 3G networks and sought information from the companies, she said. “We’ve also been coordinating with our colleagues” at the DOJ, she said: “We have worked with AT&T, specifically, to make sure that there are roaming practices available for [IoT] devices so that devices other than strictly your phone will be able to work after the shutdown.”
Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters he opposes a delay. “You have to look at these issues through the broader lens of what does it take to maintain and extend U.S. leadership in 5G,” he said: “In the main, a lot of that is permissionless innovation.” We risk “starting to hit a sort of 5G malaise” under the Biden administration “if we don’t continue to show the same type of pro-growth, pro-5G leadership that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” he said.
“We continue to work with the FCC on new solutions,” an AICC spokesperson emailed Friday. AT&T declined comment.