It's Probably Time to Start Worrying About the 4G LTE Shutdown Bricking Cars
7 hours ago
- There are about 500 million connected cars globally, expected to more than double by 2035.
- Carriers may start decommissioning 4G LTE networks as early as 2030, affecting far more vehicles than the 2022 3G shutdown.
- Modern cars rely on network connectivity for diagnostics, tracking, and infotainment; software features become useless without network access.
- Slow 5G adoption and LTE decommissioning create a worst-case scenario for automakers, as vehicles cannot connect to viable networks.
- OEMs are working on 2030 models now, and product planners need to address this inevitable change to avoid widespread issues.
- A potential solution is creating a consortium to maintain a 'network classic' environment for 4G cars, otherwise used cars may lose functionality and resale value.
- Hardware limitations mean 4G modems cannot be upgraded to 5G, leaving cars obsolete when networks transition.
- The future may force consumers to choose between ancient 'off-grid' cars or leasing new ones, as network protocols evolve.