Metric Group: 2G and 3G Networks to be Retired

The UK Government has been working with mobile network operators to begin the retirement plan for 2G and 3G cellular networks. This will allow 4G and 5G networks to get better coverage and a speed boost from repurposing the old 2/3G spectrum, providing a more reliable experience and super clear connection.

It has now been confirmed that the retirement of 2G and 3G networks will begin in January 2023.

Most Metric parking terminals, use a modem and SIM card for card payments and to communicate with the back office. Metric machines that use 3G (typically built before January 2021) will be at risk, and may not communicate if left in their current state.

In preparation for the switch-off and to avoid any last-minute issues, we are recommending that customers contact our Client Service department as soon as possible, to avoid unnecessary machine downtime and provide the best advice on your next steps.

Metric can future proof against any machine downtime and ensure seamless communications, but this requires an in-depth machine check to determine what current hardware and SIM are installed in your machines.

Let Us Support You – Your Next Steps…

Firstly, we will help you to establish how your Pay & Display machines communicate currently. This will require an in-depth machine check to determine what current hardware and SIM are installed in your machine.

We can determine most of this information remotely, depending on a number of factors, this can be determined when you contact our Client Service department.

Once we have all the information on your current hardware configuration, we will provide you with the best course of action, if any is needed, to ensure the least disruption to your equipment.

We are aware some of our customers with older, out of production machines will see this as an opportunity to invest in purchasing new Metric Pay & Display machines.

If you are a Metric Customer currently onboarded under the Metric PSP (via NMI or Windcave’s payment gateway for card processing activities), this will allow Metric to prioritise your 3G to 4G communication transition. You can also benefit from discounted time & material rates to either convert your current machines over to 4G Communications before the 3G switch-off or we can offer you an OLD for NEW machine replacement scheme whereby you can benefit from completely new equipment which comes with a 12-month warranty and will fully support the latest communication deployments available after the 3G switch-off.