Parking payments and technology When the 3G stops Louise Parfitt finds out more about how the 3G switch-off affects parking services and what you can do to prepare ave you heard about the 3G switch-off (also known as the 3G sunset)? Do you know when it will affect your mobile provider and your area? From our conversations with BPA members, many are just not aware of how and when this will impact them, says Sarah Greenslade, BPA public affairs and communications officer. H Right of reply Parking News contacted Vodafone for comment. It replied: As first announced in January 2022, we will be switching off our 3G network by the end of 2023, taking a regional, phased approach throughout the year. The 3G network currently carries less than four per cent of the data used on our UK network and making this change will allow us to move towards our goal of growing the reach of more efficient 4G and 5G services. Weve done extensive work to make sure we are aware of all devices that are currently using 3G and can confirm that most devices will shift to our 2G network, which will still be operational. Weve been in touch regularly with all customers who will be impacted by the switch-off since we first announced our plans, to let them know what they can do to get ready. However, if any businesses have concerns about their devices, we recommend they contact their account manager to discuss. Alternatively, we recommend they speak to their supplier, who should be able to identify whether their equipment will be affected. According to communications regulator Ofcom, each mobile provider is setting its own timetable for switching off 3G. We do expect mobile providers to make every effort to identify services reliant on 2G/3G and raise awareness, a spokesperson told me. This is so relevant suppliers have sufficient time to update their devices and work with their customers which, in turn, enables consumers to maintain access to vital services with minimal disruption. Mobile operators should also carefully evaluate and assess results of localised switch-offs before moving ahead with wider UK switch-offs. This should include close engagement with relevant local bodies to ensure all impacts have been considered. Different timetables Darren Stoneman is the civil enforcement manager at Plymouth City Council. His area was one of the first to have the Vodafone 3G signal switched off. Communications about the switch off has been really poor, he says. I anticipate that lot of other councils will not be aware they have a 3G sunset looming, or if any IT is going to be impacted. Plymouths partners include Flowbird for on-street parking services, IPS for off-street systems, and SEA for enforcement cameras. We have good relationships with our data and technology providers, and thats been key to how we have managed to deal with this quickly and at little cost to the council, he explains. Our providers were really responsive and came up with solutions that used technology to either solve the problem or buy us more time. Flowbird swapped the affected sims to roaming sims, which mean its payment terminals will continue to operate without disruption. That immediately meant I didnt have any operational issues with 160 parking machines across the city, Stoneman says. IPS upgraded all our modems to 28 PN May 2023 pp28-29 3G.indd 28 25/04/2023 11:24