No, they won't. Because i t would also mean replacing every ATM, every cash register, every card reader, everywhere in the country in that same year, during which both old cards and new cards will fail to work in 50% of the places they are attempted to be used either because the location has not upgraded and can't handle the new card, or because the location HAS upgraded and therefore can't handle your old card. It would be an UNBELIEVABLY difficult job to simply wipe all the existing card infrastructure out of existence in one fell swoop, not to mention an exhorbitant cost that everyone will kick and scream about paying for it - no matter HOW much they're losing to CC fraud and ID theft.
No, they won't. Because i t would also mean replacing every ATM, every cash register, every card reader, everywhere in the country in that same year, during which both old cards and new cards will fail to work in 50% of the places they are attempted to be used either because the location has not upgraded and can't handle the new card, or because the location HAS upgraded and therefore can't handle your old card. It would be an UNBELIEVABLY difficult job to simply wipe all the existing card infrastructure out of existence in one fell swoop, not to mention an exhorbitant cost that everyone will kick and scream about paying for it - no matter HOW much they're losing to CC fraud and ID theft.
But this is America. If anyone can get in the way of our own best interests, we can. I won't go into political statements because that way lies madness and 3 day suspensions, but JEEPERS. Just look at the state of things around here...The backward/forward compatibility issues you're worried about were just about non-existent.
No, they won't. Because i t would also mean replacing every ATM, every cash register, every card reader, everywhere in the country in that same year, during which both old cards and new cards will fail to work in 50% of the places they are attempted to be used either because the location has not upgraded and can't handle the new card, or because the location HAS upgraded and therefore can't handle your old card. It would be an UNBELIEVABLY difficult job to simply wipe all the existing card infrastructure out of existence in one fell swoop, not to mention an exhorbitant cost that everyone will kick and scream about paying for it - no matter HOW much they're losing to CC fraud and ID theft.
I can't even remember swipe & sign cards. I don't remember any particular difficulties.