Within a few years, the mobile operators will shut down the old 2G and 3G networks, as they do not want to maintain them.
This means, among other things, that around 800,000 cars in Sweden risk losing several functions, or even being banned from driving.
It is not only older cars that are at risk of being affected, but brand new cars are still sold on the Swedish market that rely on 2G and 3G technology, reports We Car Owners.
Cars may become illegal to use
The most critical function that will be affected on many cars when the old networks are shut down is called eCall, which automatically alerts SOS in the event of an accident.
The function became mandatory from April 2018, and if it does not work during an inspection, the car is banned from driving and becomes illegal to use. The problem is that the law only requires that the function be available, but not that it be future-proofed and work even when the mobile networks switch to newer technology.
– It was not a good solution, as we will now experience. I can think that it is an example of a failed EU regulation as they did not take account of the rapid technological development from the beginning, says Calle Beckvid, senior advisor in regulatory matters at the industry organization Mobility Sweden, to Vi Bilägare.
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What is even more remarkable is that today there is still no requirement for the cars sold to be equipped with an eCall function that works even when the 2G and 3G networks are shut down.
Only on January 1, 2026 will there be a requirement that all new cars be equipped with a 4G or 5G modem.
Toyota one of the culprits
The risk is therefore, according to Vi Bilägare, that new cars with outdated modems will continue to be sold throughout 2024 and throughout 2025.
One brand that uses old 2G technology for the eCall function in its cars is Toyota, which Carup have noticed.
– Toyota is investigating possibilities for upgrading the communication module’s software so that the connected services will work even after the shutdown of the 2G/3G networks, says the brand’s information manager Christian Hallin to Vi Bilägare.
Telia has promised to keep its old networks running until 2027.
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