IS the New SS3 base station 3G ?

No. The SS3 uses 2G/1xRTT

@steve - are you positive about that? this is an older post from this board:

"Thanks for posting! We use 3G. If there ever was a point where we'd need to upgrade your system's cellular module, due to something like the "cellular sunset", etc, we certainly would, just as replaced pager modules previously when they started dismantling the pager network! Please let us know if there's ever anything we can help you out with!

Kelley
SimpliSafe Home Security"

Also, I was on the phone with a Level 2 tech support person at Verizon about the 4G Extender and he indicated that they are indeed phasing out 3G at end of calendar year 2019.

SimpliSafe rep told me today:

"Hi Steve. No, the cellular communication is so simple that it doesn't need the high bandwidth of the 4G standard! At this time, the Base Station still uses 2G/1xRTT, but of course we do have plans to adapt in the near future."

Also, yes, Verizon is phasing out 3G in December of 2019 and T-Mobile is phasing out 3G estimated at the end of 2020.

Yes they are phasing out 2G at the same time as 3G allegedly for both Verizon and TMobile as per the dates I mentioned above.

As cell backup is a core feature to SS, and many of us have, for one reason or another, swapped out a comm card (at least I have) for various reasons, not too concerned.  Heck, even my son-in-law who owns a condo with my daughter working for a financial company (and has trouble  holding a screwdriver) managed to swap out a com card on his SS3.

Hopefully SS starts stocking up well before the phase out on updated comm cards. I cant even imagine how many cell cards they would have to mail out to update ALL SS3 and SS2 systems that have monitoring and are still under warranty when the time comes. Would be millions of units I would think. And this is not something they can be late on and send slowly a few months after 3G and 2G are deactivated as its a core part of the system.

@ajp39, good point taken ,however, when you google the subject all the major carriers keep pushing the date back. According to the Account Manager I spoke with Verizon will do what is necessary to support a rather large book of business to continue operations it needs to keep the revenue flow.  I have faith (key word there) SS is organized and resourceful enough to have this in their strategic plan.  

I believe SS1 is still supported; SS would be well served to follow the medical device model and formerly announce publicly when support for certain systems will have EOL dates.  As far as boards, you are correct, it would be a large number but I am sure they can handle the shipments, even if through 3rd party resources. Now, about those inbound calls.....ugh, again, possibly through a 3rd party during peak times.

Thanks all for the education-  I have been under the impression that the SS3 base was 3G - no wonder my old 3G Network Extender did ZERO for reception for my SS3 base.

I'm more concerned with getting a damn cell tower somewhere near so I don't have to depend on WiFi for connectivity. If someone sneezes hard, we lose power. I have a manual generator and UPS but if I'm not home...

I am a bit concerned however, that there is such conflicting info from SimpliSafe support- the one post "Yes we use 3G" ...?
Doesn't exactly build confidence.

It is difficult to know what is the correct answer since some of us have received conflicting information.

I will say that a 3G network extender should still be able to boost the 2G signal if it is set up for it. I was doing some research and several different boosters do this. The limitation is when you want to boost 4G but the extender is only for up to 3G.

According to the SS website the SS3 is 3G. Scroll down to "Check out SimpliSafe's features at a glace' and the second one says "Lightning Fast Cellular Connection Built-in 3G Signal is faster and can't be cut by intruders--so you stay safer. Free cellular connection included--no phoneline needed!'

https://simplisafe.com/simplisafe-now-works-with-nest

Has SimpliSafe confirmed that all that would be required is a simple swap of the comm cards? It would be quite unfortunate if the base station wasn't compatible with a 4G card. If it works with a 4G card that would make me feel much better about the SS3 I just installed.

@60ampfuse ...OK, so here's my WTF question- one tech says 2G, another tech and online info says 3G, does the left hand even know the right hand exists? How is that at all reassuring that tech support contradicts itself? (ok, so that's 2 WTF questions!)
I would really like to see a definitive answer on this. I had a 3G Network extender from Verizon for a long time before I hooked up my SS3. It worked marginally at best, and did nothing for the signal to my SS3 base. Since our new phones are 4G, I now have a soon-to-be-hooked-up 4G extender. Obviously, it won't do anything for the SS3, but hopefully it won't confuse it.

And let us pray that when Verizon kills 3G end of 2019 that it is a simple card swap.