South Africa to shut down 2G, 3G networks in three years

South Africa’s government has proposed a total shutdown of 2G and 3G networks in the country by the end of December 2027, moving previous deadlines which wanted 2G shut off at the end of this month.
  
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has published a government gazette outlining new proposed dates for the shutdown as part of ‘the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development’.
    
ConnectingAfrica.com in a report, said a document signed by DCDT Minister Mondli Gungubele, provided preliminary dates for the sunset of 2G and 3G networks in SA, but that the sunsetting would be done in a phased approach over two to three years after the publication of the policy.
  
“In line with other policies of the government, the spectrum policy recognizes that older-generation networks or technologies will not aid the government in meeting the requirements of broadband for its citizens,” the document said.
   
“To promote spectrum efficiency and enable service benefits to its citizens, the government with this policy supports efficient utilization of the ‘high demand spectrum’ through continuous review and shutdown of older inefficient networks to free up ‘high demand spectrum’ for use by newer generation network technologies which are more spectrum efficient,” it added.
  
The new document stipulates the prohibition of type approval of 2G and 3G only devices – by September 30, 2024; the prohibition of activation of 2G and 3G only devices on networks – by December 31, 2024 and commencement for the shutdown of 2G and 3G services – by June 1, 2025, while total shutdown of 2G and 3G networks – by December 31, 2027.These new deadlines are different from the initial dates set out in September 2022 by former Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

The 2022 draft policy stipulated a shutdown of the 2G network by June 30, 2024, and the shutdown of 3G by March 30, 2025. At the time, local mobile operators spoke out about the shutdown with many believing the timelines were not achievable, calling for industry-wide consultation on the process.The main reason for switching off 2G and 3G would be to free up spectrum that could instead be used for more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G.