According to industry reports, South Africa has initiated the process of phasing out its older cellular networks, which includes halting the sale of new 2G and 3G devices this year.
While discontinuing these outdated cellular technologies will free up critical network resources, concerns about the potential impact on essential systems exist. For instance, there are worries that the switch-off could inadvertently affect old sensors and other machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems that only activate every few months or even years to conserve battery power.
MTN South Africa assured that it has full visibility of which device types and capabilities are connecting to its network. It is working with M2M and IoT customers to guide them through the transition to more efficient 4G technologies before completely shutting down the 2G network.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has set deadlines for halting the approval of new 2G and 3G devices and ultimately decommissioning these networks in South Africa. The DCDT aims to stop type approvals for new 2G and 3G devices by September 30, 2024, and prohibit networks from activating any new 2G and 3G devices by December 31, 2024. Furthermore, the department wants operators to commence shutting down their legacy networks from June 1, 2025, to completely decommission 2G and 3G by December 31, 2027.
Vodacom has voiced its support for government oversight in managing the transition, expressing a preference for an industry-led timeline. This collaborative approach is designed to address the challenge of migrating users from legacy 2G/3G devices to more advanced 4G/5G technology. The company estimated that several million 2G and 3G devices remain active on South Africa’s networks and a few million machine-to-machine devices, providing security about the transition’s management.
MTN and Vodacom, among others, are taking a proactive approach in managing the process of discontinuing legacy mobile technology. They are implementing a phased and systematic approach, aiming to notify affected customers through user migration campaigns and ensuring a smooth transition. Despite the set deadlines, MTN highlighted that the dates for the switch-off are still indicative and subject to an impact assessment, providing a sense of reassurance.
In summary, South Africa is making strides in phasing out its older cellular networks, with clear guidelines and deadlines set by the DCDT to ensure a seamless transition to more advanced technologies.
