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telemetry providers warn 3G may not be a permanent solution. "Verizon is shutting down its 3G network at the same time as their 2G network, or sooner, and AT&T; will sunset their 3G network as well," said Kehoe. CPI's Reed agrees. "Mobile bandwidth requirements will keep the pressure on the carriers to increase band- width regularly," he said. This means that older networks will continue to be eliminated. The 2G sunset solutions The solutions to the shutting down of 2G are fairly straight forward. Either an operator must switch digi- tal communication providers (AT&T; to T-Mobile, for example) or technology generations (2G to 3G). For the percentage with a telemetry device that does not allow for either option, the operator will need to update to newer hardware. Unfortunately, operators cannot implement the solutions on their own. It is the cashless or telemetry service provider that ensures the ability to utilize the network and at what technology generation. "We have about 80,000 devices in the feld that utilize 2G GSM technology," said Anant Agrawal, president of Canta- loupe Systems. "They were all on the AT&T; network, but to protect our customers from technology changes like this, we had ensured every device was able to utilize different networks if AT&T; wasn't available. We have proactively switched over everything to T-Mobile in the past year, so very few of our devices will actually get impacted from AT&T; shutting down 2G." There were less than 5 percent of devices that were unable to get a T-Mobile signal and Cantaloupe is working on replacing those with customers. Determining what generation of technology a device is using may be possible by the look of the device. "Oper- ators know if our device is the 2G device by the look. Our CDMA technology devices look different," Agrawal said. It is recommended that operators with credit card read- ers or remote machine monitoring call their provider to ascertain if their units are using one of the 2G networks that are being shut down. And if they are, what solutions are available in their area. Not all the 2G networks are being eliminated, just AT&T; and in fve years Verizon. With some action now, operators can guarantee uninter- rupted service for years to come. Be Proactive In Protecting Your Vending Telemetry Investment Already 2G networks in some areas of the country are dead as AT&T; shut down its support of this technology. Since most cashless and telemetry devices in the vending industry used 2G, opera- tors must proactively ensure their machines will continue to operate correctly. • Call your cashless or telemetry provider. They will be able to determine if your cashless units are running 2G on AT&T; or another provider. • If you do have units using 2G, discuss solu- tions. Options include switching to a carrier like T-Mobile or upgrading the radio or entire telemetry unit. • Consider a long-term solution. While most 3G is currently supported, newer technologies will continue to replace old ones. Consider jumping ahead to a unit that can use 4G LTE or one with a modular radio that can be replaced easily. www.coffeepartsplus.com O ur new online ordering website in now up and running. All customers who wish to use our online ordering website will receive 10% off all web orders. O ffer ends D ecember 31st (online orders only). U se promo code below when checking out. Call 1-866-736-5282 or Email sales@coffeepartsplus.com if you have any questions. PROMO CODE: CTWCOFFEE www.coffeepartsplus.com O ur new online ordering website in now up and running. All customers who wish to use our online ordering website will receive 10% off all web orders. Offer ends December 31st (online orders only). U se promo code below when checking out. Call 1-866-736- 5282 or Email sales@coffeepartsplus.com if you have any questions. PROMO CODE: CTWCOFFEE December 2015 VendingMarketWatch.com Automatic Merchandiser 39 T E C H N O L O G Y U P D A T E