2022 3G Network Shutdown
Must update vehicle via OTA prior to February 22, 2022 or your service will be canceled. Must Schedule a dealer appointment, takes approximately 20 minutes. The System Updates icon will show an exclamation point (!)
Will My Honda Be Affected by The 3G Disconnection?
In 2022, America’s cell phone network providers plan to shut down the networks that drove those old phones. Since few still use them, that won’t inconvenience many phone users. But a lot of cars still use them. They may be losing some features.
What Is 3G?
Cell phones, tablets, and other connected devices communicate across parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. That spectrum has a limited number of frequencies, and there is no way to add more. 3G means “third generation.” The third generation of cell phone technology communicates across a certain part of the RF spectrum. Newer, fourth-generation (4G), and fifth-generation (5G) phones use a different part of the spectrum. Cell phone service providers maintain nationwide networks of towers that broadcast in each of those frequencies. Since few customers are still using the older 3G network, the major providers plan to shut those networks down in 2022. They’ll reuse the same parts of the spectrum to support 5G and even 6G devices. But 3G devices will stop working.
Your Car May Be a 3G Device
Modern cars have many features that require the car to communicate with a server somewhere. Many cars do that with a 3G connection. Connected services include things like:
- Remote locking and unlocking
- GPS navigation
- Traffic updates
- Smartphone connectivity
- Teen driver restrictions
Some cars use 4G or 5G networks to drive those services. They will not be affected by the shutdown.
When It’s Happening
There are three major 3G networks in the U.S. Each will sunset in 2022.
- AT&T will shut down its network in February
- T-Mobile, which recently merged with Sprint, will shut down Sprint’s network in March and its own network in July
- Verizon will shut down its network in December
You probably know which network provides service to your phone. But it can be difficult to learn what network your car uses.
Models impacted
Not all car models will be affected by the 3G shutdown. if your vehicle does not have any wireless connectivity service, then you need not worry, as it's not affected.
| Impacted Services | Impacted Vehicles | Termination Date |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Navigation | Accord(Touring 2018-20), Odyssey(Touring and Elite 2018-20), Insight(Touring 2019-20) Passport(Touring and Elite 2019-21), Pilot(Touring, Slite, and Black Edition 19-22) | February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Remote Lock | Accord(Touring 2018-20), Odyssey(Touring and Elite 2018-20), Insight(Touring 2019-20) Passport(Touring and Elite 2019-21), Pilot(Touring, Slite, and Black Edition 19-22) | February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Traffic Updates | Accord(Touring 2018-20), Odyssey(Touring and Elite 2018-20), Insight(Touring 2019-20) Passport(Touring and Elite 2019-21), Pilot(Touring, Slite, and Black Edition 19-22) | February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Accord(Touring 2018-20), Odyssey(Touring and Elite 2018-20), Insight(Touring 2019-20) Passport(Touring and Elite 2019-21), Pilot(Touring, Slite, and Black Edition 19-22) | February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Driver Restrictions | Accord(Touring 2018-20), Odyssey(Touring and Elite 2018-20), Insight(Touring 2019-20) Passport(Touring and Elite 2019-21), Pilot(Touring, Slite, and Black Edition 19-22) | February 22, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
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