2022 3G Network Shutdown
Certain 2010-2018 Lexus vehicles will lose all Lexus Enform features and services. Any unused portion of an affected paid subscription service will be refunded at a prorated amount. These refunds will begin on November 1, 2022
Will My Lexus Be Affected by The 3G Disconnection?
In 2022, America’s cell phone network providers plan to shut down the networks that drove those old phones. Since few still use them, that won’t inconvenience many phone users. But a lot of cars still use them. They may be losing some features.
What Is 3G?
Cell phones, tablets, and other connected devices communicate across parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. That spectrum has a limited number of frequencies, and there is no way to add more. 3G means “third generation.” The third generation of cell phone technology communicates across a certain part of the RF spectrum. Newer, fourth-generation (4G), and fifth-generation (5G) phones use a different part of the spectrum. Cell phone service providers maintain nationwide networks of towers that broadcast in each of those frequencies. Since few customers are still using the older 3G network, the major providers plan to shut those networks down in 2022. They’ll reuse the same parts of the spectrum to support 5G and even 6G devices. But 3G devices will stop working.
Your Car May Be a 3G Device
Modern cars have many features that require the car to communicate with a server somewhere. Many cars do that with a 3G connection. Connected services for Lexus include things like:
- Lexus Enform Safety Connect including Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Emergency Assistance Button and Stolen Vehicle Locator
- Lexus Enform Remote including Remote Engine Start/Stop, Door Lock/Unlock, Vehicle Finder, Guest Driver Monitor, Vehicle Status and Alerts, Key Fob Remote Start, and Integration with Alexa and The Google Assistant
- Lexus Enform Destination Assist including 24-hour live response center agent
- Lexus Enform Service Connect including Vehicle Health Report, Vehicle Alerts, and Maintenance Alerts
Some cars use 4G or 5G networks to drive those services. They will not be affected by the shutdown.
When It’s Happening
There are three major 3G networks in the U.S. Each will sunset in 2022.
- AT&T will shut down its network in February
- T-Mobile, which recently merged with Sprint, will shut down Sprint’s network in March and its own network in July
- Verizon will shut down its network in December
Any 2010-2017 Lexus vehicle and the 2018 GX are being affected by the 3G shutdown on October 31st, 2022.
Models impacted
Not all car models will be affected by the 3G shutdown. if your vehicle does not have any wireless connectivity service, then you need not worry, as it's not affected.
For Lexus, the following vehicles and features are affected:
| Impacted Services | Impacted Lexus Vehicles | Termination Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus Enform Safety Connect | 2010-2017 all models2; 2018 GX | October 31, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Lexus Enform Destination Assist | 2010-2017 all models2,3; 2018 GX3 | October 31, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Lexus Enform Remote | 20151; 2016-2017 all models2; 2018 GX | October 31, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
| Lexus Enform Service Connect | 2016-2017 all models2; 2018 GX | October 31, 2022, 11:59PM CST |
12015 Model Year: GS, LS, RC, IS (excluding IS C), ES & NX (navigation equipped vehicles)
2Excludes 2016-2017 CT 200h with Standard Audio System
3Requires Navigation Package
2022 NX & LX Over The Air Update
The 2022 NX and LX will be updated over the air in the following weeks. Learn how to update your vehicle with the onboard Wi-Fi in the video below.
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