Will these not become defunct when the GSM network is switched off? Lots of Mobile providers are starting to disable 2G/3G to release spectrum for 5G

In reply to a post by haydnwalker:

Will these not become defunct when the GSM network is switched off? Lots of Mobile providers are starting to disable 2G/3G to release spectrum for 5G

3G ends this year for most networks.

2G runs to 2033... apparently many smart meters, and parking meters and other fixed infrastructure still uses 2G. (But not 3G).
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-interne...

In reply to a post by hunnymonster:

Powertxt uses GSM only (no IP address required or Wifi/Data/3G access)

SMS-REMOTEPLUG - Remote Power Controller with SMS Control
Fully controlled by SMS (text message)

Control by mobile/cell phone or through EstateView (cloud based centralised management portal)

i'm kinda confused by those series of statements 👀😂🙈

What are you finding confusing?

The connection is via GSM.

To manage the switch you either use a phone or the cloud based software. I assume by manage they mean turning it off/on and if there are any settings like scheduling (no idea if there are).

So, GSM is the connection channel and mobile/cloud are how you control it over that connection.

At least that is how I read it.

In reply to a post by Taras:

i'm kinda confused by those series of statements 👀😂🙈

Text messaging (SMS) is not related to any data services. In 2024 many people think that messaging requires data, but SMS goes back to GSM before data (GPRS) arrived. Back in 1994 I was using dial up over GSM at 9600bps for data.... GPRS didn't arrive until 1997 ish...

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I use an Athom Plug V2 running an operating system called Tasmota. The plug has a little web site where you set when it switches off and on. My router once got stuck when i was away from home I now use this plug to power it off and on early on Sunday mornings. The schedule is stored in the plug so it operates even if there is no internet connection.

You can buy these plugs here. They show much much power the connected device uses. I now know my fridge uses 1.5 kwH per day.

This is another one.

More or less what I buy, but I buy GOSUND onee, but not using Tasmota, Not sure about putting them on my router to turn it off as they will need a network connection.
I did put one on to see how much energy the router corner as i call it was taking,

1.5 a day? wow, my fridge freezer is just under 1KwH a day

Anyway.

There are bluetooth smart plugs available, but need to be in proximity to access them.

I use those cheapy Sonoff basic switches flashed with Tasmota firmware, but any compatible device should work. I have been using them for many years without issue. Some only come out at Xmas for the tree lights and just work.

You can then do something like this.

https://community.home-assistant.io/t/remotely-power...

I'm playing around with LORA (Meshtastic) at the moment which could be used.

Edited by smouty (Wed 21-Feb-24 13:44:17)

You need reliable kit that doesn’t get stuck.

My sky hub 4 got 300 days uptime before I left, on virgin I currently have 97 days using the hub 5. Before the firmware settled it sometimes crashed but would self reboot always without exception.

Networking shouldn’t be locking up.

Failing that can you enforce a daily reboot via a programmed timer - surely it doesn’t crash within 24 hours?

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

You need reliable kit that doesn’t get stuck.

My sky hub 4 got 300 days uptime before I left, on virgin I currently have 97 days using the hub 5. Before the firmware settled it sometimes crashed but would self reboot always without exception.

Networking shouldn’t be locking up.

Failing that can you enforce a daily reboot via a programmed timer - surely it doesn’t crash within 24 hours?

Yep, my router has been up and running for a couple of months without having to reboot it and I only reboot it because I changed setting.
The only router I have had that used to get stuck was an old sagecom, my zyxel that Plusnet supplied used to reset now and again, but I think that was to do with updates.

300 days without a firmware update?