In what ways will the 3G mobile network decommissioning affect vulnerable people?
Carers and Older People**
They will be unable to
· Reach out when in need.
· Many will be unaware that 3G will be turning off.
· If reverts to 2G – voice quality will impact on those hard of hearing
· Unable to contact someone in an emergency.
· Cause further social isolation – unable to talk to other.
· Increase risk – if dependent on 3G safety devises
· Further impacting on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of this already socially isolated and vulnerable group
4 & 5G blind spots
Client groups, such as Care Support Workers and other health care professions, will also be placed at risk, when working with high-risk clients – if they are unable to make emergency calls. Staff report blind spots, where their phone network reverts to 3G.
I’m bringing my experience as Head of Entrepreneurship at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (https://cherieblairfoundation.org/) to this discussion. At the Foundation, we support women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries to build their entrepreneurship skills and knowledge, to enable them to economically empower themselves, their families and their communities – and our entrepreneurship skills support is delivered primarily through digital training platforms.
Through this, we have witnessed how important it is to ensure that vulnerable groups are digitally included, so that they can access and benefit from the large number of services and information that are available online. For example, many of the women that the Foundation supports primarily access the internet through their phone , and they use this to advertise their business and connect with existing and potential customers through social media, learn about local networking events, participate in online skills trainings and access other information that enables them to effectively run their businesses.
Applying our experiences in low and middle income countries to this discussion - we think that if 3G is turned off in areas where 4G or 5G is not present, there is a risk that vulnerable communities may be unable to access online services such as banking or paying bills. They may also struggle to access important information that is disseminated online – such as local community events or resources to support them. Even if 4G or 5G is available, some older mobile devices may not be 4G/5G compatible, and the cost of upgrading the device may be cost prohibitive.
While the number of consumers using 3G in the UK has been declining yearly, there are still 2m+ devices connected to 2G/3G. Unless these devices are upgraded to 4G/5G before complete decommissioning of 2G/3G, they will be left without service
Thank you, Katie. A few ways this will impact vulnerable and hard to reach populations:
Reduced access to Services - many vulnerable people might still rely on older, 3G-only devices that won’t operate on newer 4G or 5G networks. This change could disrupt their access to essential services and communication channels.
Cost of upgrade: The need to purchase new devices compatible with 4G or 5G networks can be a financial burden for individuals who are already economically disadvantaged.
3: Digital Literacy: challenges for those who are not digitally literate, potentially increasing the digital divide.
In most cases, newer network technologies might not be as widely available in rural or remote areas, possibly leading to reduced connectivity for populations in these locations.
a right balance has to be found between the efficiency benefits to all consumers from moving to later generations of technology vs. minimising unintended consequences to vulnerable consumers
I think it’s a valid point Luiz Felippe Zoghbi has said, that innovations are being fostered by warming up 4G/5G. It’s similar with the PSTN switch over - yet, people who are digitally excluded (vulnerable communities) are sometimes missed when it comes to publicity of these ventures. And likewise, new technologies do absolutely have the potential of leaving people behind if they’re not accessible and affordable for all
Exactly, Mani - and the majority of those (I’m assuming) will be folk using older devices and therefore (again assuming) less likely to make financial jumps to accommodate.
There is also a cost to the environment, which also impacts vulnerable populations disproportionately. What is the cost of disposing 3g supported devices? What is the cost of increased production of 4G/5G devices?
Based on Big Issue’s experience, those individuals still using 3G only devices are likely to be in the deepest forms of poverty and/or located in some of the hardest to reach areas. These devices are often an individuals main way of engaging with and reaching wider community and support. The shut down will likely further isolate these people.
An immediate concern is how we can best notify these individuals that the shutdown is happening and help them fully understand the implications so that we can take effective steps to support them. This does not just mean giving access to 4g/5g devices but also the often higher cost of tariffs.
True! The full process needs to be planned and considering the reality of each region. Sunsets will happen only when it is feasible and beneficial for the communities. That said, we also need to think about the need for the vulnerable people to have better services and quality. When spectrum previously used for 3G is used for 4G or 5G new applications are possible and people have access to better education and health - always with a well planned sunset programme.
Agree with your commnet about rurality and existing challenges with connectivity can put already vulnerable people at risk,. We at Kidney Care UK have experience with people in rural areas who are dependent on dialysis to stay alive - poor connectivity can mean they cannot use these machines at home and then have to go to the hospital for treatment, which is 3 days a week for 4/5 hours a time, plus travel. So treatment choice can be affected too.
Irene, you are correct. There is a benefit in the longer term with newer tech (4G/5G), but in the very near term a cost to upgrade - solutions have to be found to help make this transition to those who are unable to do so.
New technologies may well require increased digital skills - an issue for many of the communities we support at Good Things, who do not have basic digital skills. Currently 8.5 million people do not have the basic digital skills necessary.
The timeliness of spectrum assignments: Late 5G assignments can slow the adoption of technologies that improve energy efficiency.
The amount of spectrum assigned: With less spectrum, more base stations are needed to meet the demand for mobile data, increasing the sector’s impact through the supply chain.
The level of fragmentation: Fragmented spectrum reduces spectrum usage due to the need for guard bands. Fragmented spectrum also forces operators to rely on carrier aggregation technology to deliver fast connectivity. These two consequences reduce network energy efficiency and increase emissions in the mobile sector and beyond.
The flexibility to use spectrum for different technologies: Spectrum assignments that are not technology-neutral can tie the operators to older, less efficient technologies.
Many of our most digitally excluded customers also do not speak English as a first language and central communications on issues like this are obviously communicated in English and even if these comms reach some individuals they are unable to understand and interpret them.
Exactly Hannah - and we also know that if folk have lower levels of digital skills, they’ll find it really hard to transition/engage with new tech etc. And might not even understand the issue at all.
During Covid, we were able to access and provide information to community health workers (CHWs) across Sub-Saharan Africa through basic handheld mobile devices, I cannot imagine the level of disruption this will cause for health systems that rely heavily on engaged CHWs. Most of whom are not paid and work on voluntary basis. They are unlikely to make the levels of investment required to upgrade to keep up with these changes.
Brilliant point Rhys. We do a lot of support with organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers and they are also likely to urgently need support in their first languages. With detailed explanations and support going into those frontline services
– and our entrepreneurship skills support is delivered primarily through digital training platforms.
, and they use this to advertise their business and connect with existing and potential customers 
through social media, learn about local networking events, participate in online skills trainings and access other information that enables them to effectively run their businesses.