ANT+ Is doomed to Die a slow death

Garmin has recently announced significant changes to its ANT+ membership and certification programs. These shifts signal the demise of ANT+, the once-dominant wireless communication standard for sports devices. Over two decades, ANT+ was integral to the fitness and cycling industries, providing seamless wireless interoperability. However, its dominance is now finished. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a protocol with wider adoption and greater regulatory alignment, has won.

Additional Insights: a DCRAINMAKER article

Further sources: EU RED Directive, thisisant.com

The Rise and Fall of ANT+

Introduced in 2004, ANT+ became the backbone of wireless communication for fitness and cycling products, celebrated for its low power consumption, ease of use, and seamless device interoperability. ANT+ allowed multiple sensors—heart rate monitors, power meters, speed sensors, and more—to connect simultaneously to devices like Garmin Edge computers and Forerunner watches.

However, over recent years, BLE has emerged as a powerful competitor, overtaking ANT+ in the number of capable devices. BLE’s widespread adoption in smartphones, tablets, and wearables created an ecosystem Garmin’s ANT+ could never match.

Why ANT+ Certification Programs Are Ending

Garmin cited “a changing regulatory landscape” for discontinuing the ANT+ membership and certification programs by 30 June 2025. Upcoming regulations require wireless communication standards to meet stricter privacy and security compliance.

Retrofitting ANT+ to meet these new requirements would break backward compatibility. Instead of reinventing ANT+ for an increasingly BLE-dominated market, Garmin will focus increasingly on from now on BLE.

Despite these changes, Garmin has clarified that ANT+ support will continue through its chipset providers and legacy device profiles. Documentation and tools for developers will remain available, ensuring continued functionality for existing ANT+ devices.

The BLE Advantage: Why It’s Taking Over

Several factors contribute to BLE’s growing dominance:

• Universal Adoption: BLE is embedded in nearly every modern smartphone, wearable, and tablet, creating a vast interconnected ecosystem that ANT+ cannot match.
• Regulatory Compliance: BLE is regularly updated to meet stringent data security and privacy requirements, keeping it aligned with evolving regulatory demands.
• Ease of Development: BLE offers developers a single, more straightforward, standardized platform with advanced features and more room to evolve.
• Multi-Channel Capabilities: BLE can now support multiple device connections simultaneously.

Garmin’s Pivot to BLE: What It Means

Garmin has simplified its approach, allowing developers to focus on BLE while maintaining ANT+ device profiles for legacy products.

However, it’s important to note that some sectors, particularly cycling, still rely heavily on ANT+. For example, smart cycling radar systems, and wireless shifting systems like Di2 use ANT+. BLE equivalents in these areas are either proprietary or underdeveloped.

As soon as this year, we may notice more manufacturers than usual releasing BLE-only products, as the entire market progressively shifts away from ANT+.

Long-Term Implications for Consumers

Garmin’s ongoing support for ANT+ compatibility will ensure it is unlikely to disappear entirely, even in the next 5-10 years. (Phew!)

Key Dates to Remember

• 31 March 2025: Final deadline for ANT+ certification applications.
• 30 June 2025: ANT+ membership and certification programs officially end.

Final Thoughts

For two decades, ANT+ has been a cornerstone of wireless interoperability, enabling seamless connectivity across countless fitness and cycling devices. While its relevance is gradually declining, Garmin’s ongoing support ensures a smooth transition for legacy users.

For now, athletes and enthusiasts should continue to expect ANT+ compatibility in their devices, particularly for niche applications. However, the rise of BLE marks a new era in wireless communication that will shape the future of connected sports technology.