Will UCM/GSM4 (3G) work when 3G switched off?

[caravanboy]

I have a system with a UCM/GSM4 which is a 3G module. I have read recent news stories (such as this one in the UK) which talk about operators soon turning off 3G support. 


Am I correct in assuming that when my SIM provider removes 2G and 3G then I will need to buy a new UCG/4G module and there is no way to upgrade my GSM4 and make it work with 4G/5G services (even if I have a 4G/5G SIM card)?

[slychiu]

Correct your 3G ucm will not workYou need to get the new UCM/4G. This has much bettrer performance ands features, see http://www.comfortforums.com/forum48/5420.html

[caravanboy]

Ok, do I have to buy the whole UCM, or is it possible to just buy the \'daughterboard\' that sits on top?

[slychiu]

You can buy the GSM daughterboard instead of the whle UCM. Sometimes after a long time in use. there may be problems with the 10 way socket, so I am often reluctant t6o recommend this

[caravanboy]

Hi,

I\'ve now received formal notification from my provider that they are imminently switching off 3G and leaving only 2G (for calls & test only, not data), plus 4G and 5G. 

As I believe Comfort only uses voice and SMS I assume it will fall back to 2G and continue to work okay, so I will not actually need to upgrade my UCM.  Is that correct?  They might have even done this already in my area, it isn\'t very clear, and Comfort GSM is still working.

Although I have been getting some oddities lately (such as trying to dial in and being repeatedly told I\'m entering the wrong code) - usually only when in an Alarm condition, as when I get home and test everything works fine. I should probably force an alarm and test again and then start a separate thread about that.

Thanks

[slychiu]

That is correct UCM/3G should work in 2G. But support for 2G may not be so good by some carriers leading to some of the sign in problems that you have experienced

[caravanboy]

Hi, I\'ve looked again at the other new UCM/4G that was recommended above but I see that actually says:
\"Note that the UCM/4G does NOT support VoLTE (Voice Over LTE), and it uses the 3G network to make Voice Calls\" 

So I don\'t see how that new module would help me really with 3G being switched off as that would also fall back to 2G.  Although maybe the dual antennas might help a slightly better signal, but when I tested it in the past I\'m sure Configurator showed the signal as good. 

Also, the UK government has apparently also agreed that all mobile operators can switch off 2G too \"by 2033 at the latest, but likely much earlier\" so that means even the new UCM/4G will no longer be able to make voice calls to/from Comfort if there is no 2G and no 3G. Are there any plans to support VoLTE in the next 2 or 3 years?

[slychiu]

In fact UCM/4G does fall back to 2G (GSM) at 900 Mhz/1800 Mhz frequencies. We have not tested connection with 4G and voice on 2G, as we have not had 2G for some years.
We are planning to develop a 4G module with VoLTE by the end oof the year (hopefully)

[caravanboy]

Ok, thanks, good to know. I\'ll hold out for a VoLTE compatible module then and upgrade at that point

[caravanboy]

Any update on the VoLTE module yet?