SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Looming 3G Network Shutdown Worries Student Transportation Advocates

The School Superintendents Association and National Association for Pupil Transportation asked the Federal Communications Commission for a delay of the Feb. 22 sunset deadline of AT&T's 3G network.

Wes Platt
Wes PlattFormer Executive Editor
Read Wes's Posts
February 18, 2022
Looming 3G Network Shutdown Worries Student Transportation Advocates

 

3 min to read


It’s unlikely that AT&T will delay the planned shutdown of its 3G network on Feb. 22.

But that didn’t stop Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director of the School Superintendents Association (AASA) and legislative liaison for the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), from filing a response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with concerns.

Ad Loading...

In the document filed Feb. 14, Ng made the case for giving school districts more time to update systems so they can avoid losing GPS and communications services aboard school buses that rely on AT&T.

“Specific to school transportation, this means that any commercial transport (like school buses) reliant on 3G technology will go dark, losing the ability to track/manage their logistics if their devices have not been upgraded,” Ng wrote. “School districts nationwide rely on a mix of legacy 3G hardware, in combination with 4G units, to safely and seamlessly run their transportation operations.”

On an average day, about 500,000 school buses carry 25 million elementary and secondary school students. They’re also used for activity and field trips. Zonar Systems data cited in Ng’s statement indicates that between 5 and 10 percent of all public school buses across the country could lose GPS service if AT&T shuts down the 3G network as planned so that it can free resources for 5G implementation. She wrote that “schools could also lose the contact-tracing solutions to help them comply with COVID mitigation and quarantine protocols to help reduce the likelihood of significant COVID outbreaks in the schools.”

NAPT previously asked the commission to delay the shutdown for six months to give “the industry time to source components and to continue top build and install 4G telematics devices at a pace commensurate with the currently depressed global supply chain,” she wrote.

Home alarm companies also sought delays to AT&T’s 3G network sunset, but Robert Vitanza, senior legal counsel for AT&T, said in his company’s response that the aging network is “a gross waste of the nation’s scarce spectrum resources.” Vitanza also indicated that the FCC “lacks authority over this dispute.” He noted that AT&T gave customers more than three years to prepare.

Ad Loading...

“Again, AT&T has a strong interest in helping its customers manage the 5G transition, and it has taken proactive steps for years to make that transition as seamless for them as possible,” Vitanza wrote. “We will maintain that same customer-centric focus in the days before and after the Feb. 22 sunset.”

In an official statement from an AT&T spokesperson, the company said: "Since February of 2019, we have proactively worked with our business customers across a wide variety of industries to help them upgrade their fleets and devices before 3G services end on Feb. 22. We have sent numerous communications to manufacturers and they have sent messages and notifications to customers if their vehicles are impacted."

The company also stated that:

  • Less than 1% of AT%T's mobile traffic currently runs on 3G networks.

  • Most vehicles on the company's network are connected through 4G LTE.

  • AT&T will assist customers on data plans for their vehicles if they have questions related to upgraded services or billing.

Other wireless carrier companies plan to retire their own 3G networks later this year.

More Management

Lineup of the back end of Durham School Service school buses.
Managementby Elora HaynesJune 26, 2026

Durham School Services Adds New District Contracts Across Five States

The latest contract awards and renewals will bring the company's transportation services to more students while extending several long-standing district relationships.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet graphic announcing the Top Transportation Teams 2026 recognition program. The image features a blue and gold badge with a yellow school bus illustration and the words "Top Transportation Teams 2026" on a navy background with gold confetti accents.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 24, 2026

6 School Districts Named Transfinder's 2026 Top Transportation Teams

The software company has named six school districts across four states to its list for the fourth year, with one 'three-peat' winner. Find out which teams took home top honors!

Read More →
An orange and black graphic with an image of a woman helping a young girl out of a car. Text reads "Innovation Was the Answer: Lessons Learned In School Transport."
ManagementJune 24, 2026

Innovation Was the Answer: Five Lessons Learned in School Transportation from 2025–26

Transportation leaders are embracing technology, transparency, and operational flexibility to meet growing demands with limited resources.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with a black and white image of Geotab official on stage with text reading "AI Tools Roundup: Turning Data Into Faster Decisions."
Managementby Elora HaynesJune 24, 2026

AI Tools Roundup: New Fleet Tools Aim to Turn Data Into Faster Decisions

The latest AI-powered platforms could help student transportation teams analyze fleet performance, manage maintenance, and uncover operational insights using natural-language queries.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet company news graphic displaying the logos of EverDriven and Pathwise on an orange background.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 23, 2026

EverDriven Integrates Pathwise's EZRouting into Routing Services

The new partnership combines trusted software with industry expertise to help district transportation teams streamline general education routing, improve efficiency, and lower operating costs.

Read More →
A professional portrait of David Perez on an orange background with text reading "David Perez Named Samsara Technology Leader of the Year."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 23, 2026

First Student Safety Executive Named Samsara Technology Leader of the Year

David Perez earned the honor for deploying AI-powered safety and fleet technologies that improved driver behavior and family communication.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage graphic featuring the Zūm logo surrounded by images representing the company's recent milestones: the Providence, Rhode Island skyline; a soccer ball decorated with international flags symbolizing FIFA World Cup 2026 transportation services; a trophy representing CEO Ritu Narayan's Entrepreneur Of The Year award; and the Philadelphia skyline.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 22, 2026

Zum Expands to Rhode Island with 2 New District Partnerships

The Ocean State becomes Zum’s 18th state served as the company expands its presence in the Northeast U.S., while launching operations in Philadelphia, and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredJune 22, 2026

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic announcing Lewis Nelson as president of Stertil-Koni. The graphic features the Stertil-Koni logo and a portrait of Nelson standing with folded arms against a yellow and orange background.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 19, 2026

Stertil-Koni Announces New Company President

Lewis Nelson joins the heavy-duty vehicle lift provider, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Frances Theiring stands with three other people holding an award
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 19, 2026

Tennessee Hall of Fame Honors Drivers for Decades of Service

Frances Theiring, a school bus driver for Wilson County Schools, retires this year after almost 50 years on the road. She is one of two long-time drivers honored for their service in the state.

Read More →