3G on the way out. What’s this mean for my ELD?

[Mike]

Starting in 2022, mobile carriers are ending their 3G networks. That means the time is now for truck drivers to make sure their electronic logging devices remain compliant after the transition.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is reaching out to truckers to make sure they are prepared when carriers start ditching 3G, which is scheduled to start as early as February.

“Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks to make room for more advanced networks, including 5G,” FMCSA wrote in an email on Monday, Nov. 1. “As a result, many older cellphones and other mobile devices will be unable to use data services.

According to FMCSA, the schedule for complete 3G shutdowns are as follows:​

• AT&T: Feb. 22, 2022
• Sprint (T-Mobile): March 31, 2022
• Sprint LTE (T-Mobile): June 30, 2022
• T-Mobile: July 1, 2022
• Verizon: Dec. 31, 2022

3G on the way out. What’s this mean for my ELD?

Soon, 3G networks will be out. Learn what this means in terms of making sure your ELDs remain compliant in 2022.

landline.media

 

[Mike]

Good idea to see where your provider is on this. I moved to a cell connection with Keeptruckin a year ago when I upgraded to get all of their features including the camera and internet. Keeptruckin is at 4G LTE so no worries there if that is who you are using.

I would imagine any of the big players in the industry are on top of this, but given the work from home mentality of so many businesses, it's possible you could be operating with outdated equipment. Make sure you got the right equipment, or make plans to move to a provider that is up to date before you end up out of compliance.

 

[Electric Chicken]

4G is pretty commonplace and won't go away for a while.

I bought a Verizon LTE/5G tablet to pair with the KeepTruckin device.

 

[Mike]

4G is pretty commonplace and won't go away for a while.

I bought a Verizon LTE/5G tablet to pair with the KeepTruckin device.

Many of these ELD's are still transmitting on 3g, though. They keep sending out this warning, I think because it is going unnoticed by many.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Many of these ELD's are still transmitting on 3g, though. They keep sending out this warning, I think because it is going unnoticed by many.

Yeah it's probably going to be an oh shit procrastination moment like ELD compliance itself was.

Being on top of things is partly what pushed me to KeepTruckin in the first place. I'm usually about being and supporting the underdog but this is too important.

 

[Mike]

Yeah it's probably going to be an oh shit procrastination moment like ELD compliance itself was.

Yep, especially with supply chain issues and none of this stuff being made in the United States.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Yep, especially with supply chain issues and none of this stuff being made in the United States.

Yeah mine is on a 4 week backlog before it even ships. No idea how long it'll take to actually get to me.

They told me I can run paper in the meantime since I have an invoice indicating that I purchased one.

If that's not true I'm just gonna say tough titties to the officer because I can't be expected to buy several in the hopes that one of them arrives sooner rather than later. That wouldn't be reasonable.

 

[Mike]

Yeah mine is on a 4 week backlog before it even ships. No idea how long it'll take to actually get to me.

They told me I can run paper in the meantime since I have an invoice indicating that I purchased one.

If that's not true I'm just gonna say tough titties to the officer because I can't be expected to buy several in the hopes that one of them arrives sooner rather than later. That wouldn't be reasonable.

There is a specific amount of time if the ELD goes down that you can run paper, I think. I'd be interested to know the specifics regarding your situation, or extended downtime due to "supply chain issues".

 

[Electric Chicken]

There is a specific amount of time if the ELD goes down that you can run paper, I think. I'd be interested to know the specifics regarding your situation, or extended downtime due to "supply chain issues".

I'ma play dumb.

 

[Mike]

I'ma play dumb.

Play?

 

[Electric Chicken]

Play?

Yeah like acting. In a play.

Actually, no. More like climbing monkey bars.

 

[Rigjockey]

We are transitioning to Keeptruckin. This will never be an issue for me but what happens when you are in a cell dead zone?

 

[Electric Chicken]

We are transitioning to Keeptruckin. This will never be an issue for me but what happens when you are in a cell dead zone?

The ELD keeps recording regardless. It's based on truck data and GPS and has some storage space. The tablet/phone talks to the ELD box over Bluetooth.

Internet is mostly just for syncing everything and sending logs.

 

[mndriver]

We are transitioning to Keeptruckin. This will never be an issue for me but what happens when you are in a cell dead zone?

You will have to likely enter the location in manually.

Just make a comment “no cell service”
Had that happen to me couple weeks ago in New Mexico/ Colorado