As fleets prepare for the 3G sunset date in December 2022, many are left wondering, what exactly will change? Fleet managers may not be familiar with the difference between 3G, 4G LTE, and beyond and aren’t sure how switching to 4G LTE or even 5G will affect their fleets. Rest assured that, like most technological advancements, this will bring positive change to daily fleet operations. This article will discuss the difference between 3G and 4G and how fleets will be affected.
The Difference Between 3G and 4G
First of all, you should know that the ‘G’ in 3G, 4G, and 5G simply stands for “generation.” 3G was the third generation of mobile networks that came to the US in 2003. Many technologies are called 3G or 4G, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. 4G phones are supposed to be faster than 3G phones, but they aren’t always.
The major 4G technologies are HSPA+ 21/42, WiMAX (now obsolete), and LTE. Most consider LTE the only 4G technology that qualifies, as LTE has faster upload speeds than 3G. Most phones have been 4G since the early 2010s, and 5G was introduced in 2016 to be even faster.
5G implements the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting people, objects, and devices to create an interconnected world. 5G has a lot of potential in the fleet world, but it has not yet been fully realized and will continue to develop over the coming years.
How Fleets Will Be Affected By This Change
While the technology will likely be a positive change, fleets will likely face challenges with existing contracts with fleet management companies. Swapping out technologies will likely require new contracts, which will cost fleets money and time switching over. This is the perfect time to find a new fleet management provider if you need improvements to your fleet management system. Azuga will be upgrading its users to 4G devices without interrupting their contracts. These new devices will improve the accuracy of telematics so that drivers will be safer and businesses will be more effective than ever before.
Find Out What Azuga Has to Offer
Now is the perfect time to upgrade your fleet management solution. Azuga offers state-of-the-art fleet management tools that improve your business’s safety, productivity, and efficiency so that you can focus on what you do best: managing your team! We offer all of our services with reasonable contracts and low prices, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best value for your dollar. Check out a demo to try our software for yourself.
