Fifth generation, or 5G, is the latest wireless technology available.
第五代(移动通信技术),即5G,是最新的无线技术。
It offers faster internet speeds and better performance than previous generations.
它提供了比前几代更快的网速和更好的性能。
It has its downsides.
它也有缺点。
5G requires more cellular towers than other networks.
5G比其他网络需要更多的蜂窝基站。
It may be years before some rural areas get it, and there are always concerns about new technologies being hacked, but wireless providers are expanding their 5G availability.
一些农村地区可能需要数年时间才能获得5G,而且人们一直担心新技术会被黑客入侵,但无线供应商正在扩大5G的可用性。
And when they do that, it leaves less room on the wireless spectrum, [and]the radio waves that these technologies use are limited.
当他们这样做时,无线频谱上的空间就会减少,这些技术使用的无线电波也会受到限制。
So what companies are doing is phasing out 3G, their third-generation technology to make room for 5G.
因此,各家公司正在逐步淘汰3G,即他们的第三代技术,为5G腾出空间。
When will this happen?
这什么时候会发生?
AT&T will shut down its 3G network next week.
美国电话电报公司将于下周关闭其3G网络。
T- Mobile and Verizon will do it later this year.
T- Mobile和威瑞森通信公司将在今年晚些时候推出这项服务。
Here's why this matters.
这就是为什么这很重要。
There are still devices that use 3G, and those devices may no longer work once the network is shutdown.
目前仍有一些设备在使用3G,而且一旦网络关闭,这些设备可能就无法工作了。
Companies have been pushing people to upgrade their 3G smartphones, e- readers and tablets.
各家公司一直在推动人们升级3G智能手机、电子阅读器和平板电脑。
Some medical devices and home alarm systems may still need to be updated.
一些医疗设备和家庭报警系统可能仍然需要更新。
And millions of cars could be affected by this, especially, if they're more than five years old.
数百万辆汽车可能会受到影响, 尤其是, 如果它们的使用年限超过五年。
Vehicles that use 3G modems could have problems with GPS and traffic information.
使用3G调制解调器的车辆可能会在GPS和交通信息方面遇到问题。
Those with the ability to call police, if there's an accident, could fail if their software isn't upgrade to at least 4G technology.
那些有能力在发生事故时报警的人,如果他们的软件没有升级到至少4G技术,就可能会报警失败。
Some car makers have offered fixes for this.
一些汽车制造商已经提出了解决方案。
Others reportedly haven't.
据报道其他公司还没有。
So many drivers may lose features in their cars if they haven't upgraded them or if an update simply isn't available.
因此,如果没有升级,或者根本没有获得更新,许多司机可能会失去汽车的功能。
Wireless carriers have shut down networks before.
无线运营商以前也曾关闭过网络。
AT&T and Verizon eliminated their 2G coverage in 2017.
美国电话电报公司和威瑞森通信公司在2017年取消了2G覆盖。
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