Carriers are shutting down their 2G networks: here’s what that means for the world

Carriers are shutting down their 2G networks: here’s what that means for the world،

In early October, it became known that one of the largest American carriers, TMobileis taking another step towards the inevitable shutdown of its 2G mobile network by offering free phones to customers who still rely on them.

The free phones are perfect for those who might be affected by the disappearance of the 2G network, as Magenta’s shutdown date is as early as April 2, 2024, but that’s not all. TMobile it is this crusade to “kill” 2G — other operators are also participating in it.

So what does all this mean in the bigger scheme of things? That’s exactly what we’re here to talk about and hopefully give you the information you need, especially if you’re potentially affected by this change.

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What is 2G?

Whenever you see one of the networks such as 2G, 3G or 5G and the upcoming 6G, the “G” simply means “generation”, while the number tells us which generation of mobile network it is for. The second generation of mobile networks, or 2G, was launched in 1991 (yes, it’s that old).

2G was the first digital telecommunications standard, while 1G (the first generation) was analog. However, both used digital signals to connect radio towers to the larger mobile infrastructure. What 2G introduced was the ability to have mobile data, making texting and making phone calls more secure and digitally encrypted.

When and why do 2G networks stop?

Let’s start with the “when” part, which is pretty simple since all carriers aside from those mentioned above TMobile have already pulled the plug on their 2G networks, including AT&T in 2017, Verizon in 2020 and Sprint (part of TMobile since 2020) in 2021. T-Mobile is the only one that left parts of its 2G network intact, meaning that once April 2, 2024 rolls around, we’ll send 2G into the sunset and see it become part of our history.

Now, the answer to the question “why” is a little more nuanced. There are several reasons why carriers make this decision unanimously and they are as follows:

Maintenance costs — 2G (and 3G) uses a different technology from 4G and 5G. That means carriers must devote manpower and other resources to two separate systems, one of which has a rapidly shrinking user base. From a financial point of view, it therefore makes sense to remove these existing networks.
Opening up space for new generations of networks — removing the 2G network opens up more frequency bands for deployment, which can be used to install more 4G and 5G antennas.
Improved energy efficiency — new cellular technology uses less energy to operate, which can quickly lead to significant reductions in energy costs when applied nationally.

What will happen to existing 2G devices and how can I prepare?

For all intents and purposes, all 2G devices will be more or less rendered useless, at least in terms of connecting to a mobile network. And by everything, we really mean ALL 2G devices, including but not limited to mobile phones and IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as voice machines, smart meters, vehicle trackers, etc. .

Until now, 2G devices could rely on TMobileT-Mo’s network, and they will continue to do this until April next year, but once T-Mo’s 2G network goes dark, there will be virtually no 2G network to which these devices will be able to connect.

The only way to prepare for it is to finally upgrade to something newer. Whether it’s one of these free 5G phones TMobile If you gift or invest in one yourself, this is the only way to ensure that you are still able to communicate with others and connect to a mobile network.

Of course, the same goes for businesses that have continued to use 2G gadgets and devices until now, the main difference being that it will be much more expensive and require more time to implement. April 2, 2024 may be quite far away for people who simply need to upgrade their phone and maybe one or two additional devices, but it’s a tight deadline if you’re a business. This is why all businesses are advised to start their transition as early as possible, as the new components, installation and integration process can take a long time.

How will the shutdown affect IoT (Internet of Things) devices using the 2G network?

You might be surprised to learn that approximately 15 billion IoT devices currently operating around the world rely on 2G or 3G to send and receive information. Since all major carriers except TMobile have already completely shut down their 2G and 3G networks in the United States, needless to say, many have already upgraded their old equipment to work with 4G and 5G.

If you have one or two IoT devices that can only operate on 2G or 3G, you may be able to install additional parts that would make it compatible with the newer networks. If you can’t modify your existing device to access 4G or 5G, you’ll need to purchase a new one that supports one or both.

It is also important to check if the M2M SIM card inside your device supports 4G. All M2M SIM cards in today’s IoT devices come with 4G support by default, but if you have an older device, it may not have it.

Will upgrading from 2G have financial implications?

As mentioned earlier, you will need to get a new phone. Make sure to register with your carrier first to see if they will give you one for free. Even if you’re not offered a free upgrade, you might get a good price reduction for the one you decide to purchase and/or the plan you subscribe to. If you have other devices that rely on a 2G network, you should contact the manufacturer to ask if they can offer you a discount.

Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate some of the financial costs of upgrading to a 4G or 5G device. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides up to $30 per month for internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on eligible tribal lands. You can find the requirements and other potential benefits on the page Affordable Connectivity Program Page.

What are the advantages of new network technologies compared to 2G?

You get many benefits in return when you upgrade from a 2G device to one compatible with 4G and 5G networks. For starters, you’ll have a much more reliable network, which means fewer connection issues and the hassles that come with them. You’ll also get much wider coverage compared to what 2G or even 3G networks offered, so you’ll have a network connection in more places than before.

Let’s not forget that one of the main improvements that comes with a new generation of network is much higher data speeds and bandwidth, which makes everything work faster than before, improves call quality and we allows you to stream video and audio content.

There’s also the fact that most tech products capable of connecting to a cellular network today rely on 4G or 5G, meaning your brand new phone (or other 4G/5G device) will be able to ” communicate” and interact with the rest of the IoT (Internet of Things) world.

How will the closure impact emergency services and older people who may use 2G devices?

Some of us don’t want to change or move to modern display-only mobile devices. Fortunately, there are 4G phones that retain that old-school design that older generations know and rely on, so the transition doesn’t have to be jarring. In fact, given the improvement in call quality, stability, and reception, they’ll likely find it a much better experience once they try it.