The sunsetting of 2G/3G networks is underway. Is your fleet ready?

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Europe and other regions continue to phase out their 2G and 3G networks to make way for 4G and 5G.However, the speed at which this happens varies depending on the region/country and operator.

2G was the primary network fleet management companies relied on to send and receive information from devices (GPS trackers) installed in their vehicles. The transition to 4G significantly impacts fleet management solutions using 2G/3G GPS trackers, requiring a complete hardware change. You must prepare your fleet by developing a plan to migrate from 2G/3G to 4G GPS trackers!

 
How will the 2G / 3G sunset impact your fleet management system?

A Fleet Management System requires a reliable high-speed network that allows you to stay permanently connected to your vehicles and drivers.
With 4G and 5G networks being deployed across Europe and other regions around the world, mobile network providers are evolving to meet the demand for more data and faster speeds. To achieve this, many mobile network providers are abandoning older 2G/3G networks in favor of 4G LTE, thus impacting all mobile devices that rely on 2G or 3G networks. While some network providers are switching sooner than others, now is the time to consider what this means for you fleet!

What are the benefits?

Many network operators are already retiring 2G and 3G networks to provide faster networks. The good news is that there is still time for your fleet to implement compatible 4G devices, capitalize on the benefits of a faster network, and ensure that your future investment in fleet management technology is well spent:

• 4G is up to 2,500 times faster than 2G and provides greater cost savings when it comes to moving data;
• 4G paves the way for more intelligent telematics devices, allowing greater access to the latest computing and onboarding;
• The new 4G onboard devices can support innovative new services;The 4G in-vehicle devices are "future-proof" and will work on future generations of cellular technology.

As a Frotcom customer, you can benefit from our real-time tracking feature, which provides GPS and vehicle data collected and made available to users on a second-by-second basis. This helps to increase the frequency of vehicle location updates on the map, allowing you to see where your vehicles are at all times. When combined with Frotcom's Extended CANBus Collection module, it provides valuable insights into tens of vehicle parameters. The combination of real-time tracking and Extended CANBus Collection also allows companies to access Frotcom's Driver Coaching module, which enables real-time monitoring of how vehicles in your fleet are being driven. This assists you or a professional trainer

in training drivers on the job, resulting in immediate fuel and maintenance cost reductions.

Work with a partner prepared for the switch

Now is the right time to start planning your switch to 4G. Ensure you're considering the following, and ask your Frotcom Certified Partner for more details when necessary:

• What is the right time for device replacement to ensure the continuity of my service?
• What hardware do I need to replace?
• What are the costs involved?
• What new business benefits can my company realize from this transition?
• When can I schedule a time to install new hardware for the change?

If you have fleet vehicles operating in regions where the 2G or 3G service has been or will be removed, you will need to upgrade to 4G devices to ensure you retain your fleet management services now and in the future.

Contact a member of our team today. Our Frotcom local team will work with you to address the challenges and logistics of the upcoming transition.