Are you prepared for the gradual shutdown of 3G?
The gradual shutdown of 3G networks in Spain is already underway and is part of the natural evolution of telecommunications infrastructures towards more efficient technologies such as 4G and 5G.
This process, known as the “3G sunset”, does not happen immediately or simultaneously across all operators, but it does involve a progressive transition that may affect a significant number of currently connected devices.
In this context, Nayar presents the 3G Sunset Renewal Plan, an initiative designed to help companies identify their level of exposure and plan their technology transition in advance.
What is the 3G sunset?
The term 3G sunset refers to the process by which mobile operators are progressively shutting down the 3G network in order to reallocate spectrum to more modern technologies such as 4G and 5G.
This process responds to several reasons:
- More efficient use of radio spectrum.
- Improved performance of mobile networks.
- Reduction of operational costs associated with maintaining legacy technologies.
- Increased capacity for IoT and data services.
Although 3G has been a key technology for many years, its use is steadily declining across Europe.
Situation in Spain
In Spain, the 3G shutdown is being carried out progressively by the different mobile operators. This means that:
- There is no single national shutdown date.
- The process varies depending on the operator and geographical area.
- Some services have already been migrated or deprioritised.
In practice, this creates a mixed scenario where active networks coexist with networks being phased out, which may affect connected devices differently.
What does the 3G sunset mean for your device fleet?
One of the main challenges of the 3G sunset is that not all devices respond in the same way to the withdrawal of the network. Depending on the integrated technology, configuration and operator, the impact may vary significantly. Below, we show an indicative classification of the status of the most common devices:
🔴 Devices requiring an update (high risk): Advertisim 3G displays.
These devices depend directly on 3G connectivity and require an update or replacement to guarantee service continuity once the network is no longer available.
🟠 Devices requiring review (medium risk): GSM 3G modules.
These devices may experience variations in their performance depending on the operator, coverage and network configuration. An individual technical assessment is recommended to determine their actual level of exposure.
🟢 Devices that will continue to operate (no immediate impact).
- GSM 2G modules.
- GSM 4G modules.
- Advertisim 4G displays.
These devices do not depend on 3G or are already prepared to operate on more recent technologies, so they are not affected by the shutdown process.
Why is it important to anticipate?
The main risk of the 3G sunset is not only the disappearance of the network, but also the lack of visibility regarding which devices are actually affected within an installation.
Many companies operate with heterogeneous device fleets, installed at different times and using different technologies, which makes it difficult to have a clear view of the real impact.
Without a prior assessment, the following may occur:
- Unexpected connectivity losses.
- Service interruptions.
- Issues that are difficult to diagnose remotely.
- Unexpected costs due to urgent replacements.
Nayar’s 3G Sunset Renewal Plan
To help companies manage this transition, Nayar has launched the 3G Sunset Renewal Plan, a technical assessment service that allows companies to:
- Identify devices affected by the 3G shutdown.
- Classify the risk level of each device.
- Define a progressive migration plan.
The objective is not only to react to the change, but to anticipate it with a clear and controlled strategy.
Request your 3G risk assessment
The gradual shutdown of 3G networks in Spain marks a turning point in the connectivity of IoT devices and remote systems.
Understanding which devices are affected and planning the transition in advance is essential to minimise risks and guarantee operational continuity.
Nayar’s 3G Sunset Renewal Plan has been created precisely to support you throughout this technological change process. Anticipating change is key to avoiding impacts on operations and ensuring service continuity.
Therefore, at Nayar we help you analyse your installation and define the best transition path.
Contact us at: comercial@nayarsystems.com and make it easy!
