South Africa to shut down 2G and 3G networks within three years

The South African government has proposed a complete shutdown of the country’s 2G and 3G networks by the end of December 2027, extending previous deadlines that expected the 2G network to be turned off at the end of that month.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has published a government gazette containing new proposed outage dates under the ‘Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development’.

According to ConnectingAfrica.com, the report signed by DCDT Minister Mondli Gungubele provides tentative sunset dates for 2G and 3G networks in South Africa, but the phase-out will take place over two to three years after the policy is published.

“Consistent with other government policies, the spectrum policy recognises that older generation networks or technologies will not help the government meet the broadband requirements of its citizens,” the document reads.

“To promote spectrum efficiency and deliver service benefits to citizens, the government under this policy supports the efficient use of ‘high-demand spectrum’ through the continuous review and closure of older, inefficient networks to free up ‘high-demand spectrum’ for use by newer generations network technologies that use spectrum more efficiently,” he added.

The new document provides for a ban on type approval of only 2G and 3G devices – until September 30, 2024; ban on activating only 2G and 3G devices in networks – until December 31, 2024 and starting to turn off 2G and 3G services – until June 1, 2025, as well as complete shutdown of 2G and 3G networks – until December 31, 2027. These new deadlines differ from the original dates set in September 2022 by former minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

The draft policy for 2022 envisaged a 2G switch-off by 30 June 2024 and a 3G switch-off by 30 March 2025. At the time, local mobile network operators had expressed their views on the switch-off, with many believing these dates were unachievable, calling for an industry consultation on the process. The main reason for switching off 2G and 3G would be to free up spectrum that could be used by more advanced technologies such as 4G and 5G.