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LTC Providers May Need to Update Fire Alarm System Cellular Communication Services

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In 2022, cellular companies will retire their older 3G technology. These companies include T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T.

Long-term care (LTC) providers with a fire alarm system supported by an older cellular communicator running on 3G signals should upgrade their fire alarm communication equipment.

Many fire alarm systems use cellular communication devices to send signals to a 24-hour central monitoring station. The central monitoring station contacts the local emergency response team to send help. If your cellular communication device uses 3G to relay signals, and your cellular provider no longer supports those signals, your fire alarm system will not be able to notify emergency services if there is a fire.

The major cellular companies gave the following dates for retiring their older networks:

  • AT&T began retiring its 3G network on Feb. 22, 2022.
  • Sprint will retire its 3G CDMA network on March 31, 2022.
  • Sprint will retire its 3G LTE network on June 30, 2022.
  • T-Mobile will retire its 3G UMTS network on July 1, 2022.
  • Verizon will retire its 3G CDMA network on Dec. 31, 2022.
  • T-Mobile has announced it will retire its 2G GSM network but has not set a date for that retirement.

After these dates, fire alarm communication devices that connect to cellular communication systems using this older technology will not work.

LTC providers are responsible for ensuring their fire alarms systems function correctly. Providers with fire alarm systems monitored by a third-party monitoring company should contact their fire alarm service company. They need to find out if their fire alarm communication equipment needs upgrading.

Email LTCR Policy or call 512-438-3161 with questions.