2022 3G Network Shutdown

All Buick / GMC vehicles will receive over-the-air software updates starting in October 2021.

Will My Buick / GMC Be Affected by The 3G Disconnection?

In 2022, America's cell phone network providers plan to shut down the networks that drove those old phones. Since few still use them, that won't inconvenience many phone users. But a lot of cars still use them. They may be losing some features.

What Is 3G?

Cell phones, tablets, and other connected devices communicate across parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. That spectrum has a limited number of frequencies, and there is no way to add more.
3G means "third generation." The third generation of cell phone technology communicates across a certain part of the RF spectrum. Newer, fourth-generation (4G), and fifth-generation (5G) phones use a different part of the spectrum. Cell phone service providers maintain nationwide networks of towers that broadcast in each of those frequencies. Since few customers are still using the older 3G network, the major providers plan to shut those networks down in 2022. They'll reuse the same parts of the spectrum to support 5G and even 6G devices. But 3G devices will stop working.

Your Car May Be a 3G Device

Modern cars have many features that require the car to communicate with a server somewhere. Many cars do that with a 3G connection. Connected services include things like:

  • Remote locking and unlocking
  • GPS navigation
  • Traffic updates
  • Smartphone connectivity
  • Teen driver restrictions

Some cars use 4G or 5G networks to drive those services. They will not be affected by the shutdown.

When It's Happening

There are three major 3G networks in the U.S. Each will sunset in 2022.

  • AT&T will shut down its network in February
  • T-Mobile, which recently merged with Sprint, will shut down Sprint's network in March and its own network in July
  • Verizon will shut down its network in December

You probably know which network provides service to your phone. But it can be difficult to learn what network your car uses.

Models impacted

Not all car models will be affected by the 3G shutdown. if your vehicle does not have any wireless connectivity service, then you need not worry, as it's not affected.

 

Driver RestrictionsBuick Enclave 2019-20, Buick Encore GX 2020-21, Buick Encore 2021, GMC Acadia 2020, Canyon 2019-21, Sierra 2019-21, Terrain 2019-21, Yukon 2021February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST

Impacted Services   Impacted VehiclesTermination Date
GPS NavigationBuick Enclave 2019-20, Buick Encore GX 2020-21, Buick Encore 2021, GMC Acadia 2020, Canyon 2019-21, Sierra 2019-21, Terrain 2019-21, Yukon 2021February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST
Remote LockBuick Enclave 2019-20, Buick Encore GX 2020-21, Buick Encore 2021, GMC Acadia 2020, Canyon 2019-21, Sierra 2019-21, Terrain 2019-21, Yukon 2021February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST
Traffic UpdatesBuick Enclave 2019-20, Buick Encore GX 2020-21, Buick Encore 2021, GMC Acadia 2020, Canyon 2019-21, Sierra 2019-21, Terrain 2019-21, Yukon 2021February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST
Smartphone ConnectivityBuick Enclave 2019-20, Buick Encore GX 2020-21, Buick Encore 2021, GMC Acadia 2020, Canyon 2019-21, Sierra 2019-21, Terrain 2019-21, Yukon 2021February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST

 

  

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