Upcoming 3G shutdown could affect safety of rural Americans, older adults in less than a week

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – AT&T announced it will be shutting down its 3G networks February 22. Amid this change, rural Americans and older adults could be particularly affected when their devices no longer work.

“People in rural areas could have fewer choices,” said Tom Kamber, Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services and Senior Planet. This is because of the varying American infrastructure for service providers, said Kamber.

In addition, personal emergency response systems, such as Life-Alert, could be affected.

Kamber said it’s best to call the service provider to check if these devices are using 3G. Checking the billing statement from an annual or monthly subscription for these devices could also provide clarity.

Personal emergency devices made before 2019 commonly operate on 3G networks, according to a release from AARP.

These devices should be evaluated as soon as possible to ensure timely replacement during a period of supply chain interruptions, said Kamber. The time to receive a new device could vary depending on the company and technology it uses, possibly taking months.

Devices could be replaced at little to no cost by some companies, but Kamber said to be careful not to be upsold by others that are looking to profit off the situation.

A way to avoid scams is to look for a company without extra fees related to equipment, shipping, installation, activation, service or repair, according to an article from AARP.

Taking the time to look over devices at home, including alarm systems and phones, will help avoid gaps in safety.

“It’s a great chance for people to enhance independence,” said Kamber.

“We are always amazed when elderly go over technology they could update. Everybody has a different solution, and it’s amazing how much they enjoy this and benefit.”

To learn more about affected providers, devices and deadlines, visit aarp.org.