Monday, October 6, 2025
  • News & Reports
    • Animation Content
    • Broadcasting
    • Broadcasting Right
    • Broadcasting Service
    • Cinema Content
    • Connectivity
    • Content Distribution
    • Content Production
    • Content Regulation
    • Film Festival
    • Film Industry
    • Media Regulation
    • Mergers & Acquisation
    • OTT & Streaming
    • Pay-TV
    • Radio Broadcasting
    • Industry Executives
    • Reports
    • Satellite
  • Industry Resources
    • Audio & Podcasts
    • Reports & Presentations
    • TV and Videos
  • Products & Services
    • Promo: Spotlight Service
  • Events
    • All Events
    • BMA Events
  • Join BMA Network
  • Login
  • Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
  • News & Reports
    • Animation Content
    • Broadcasting
    • Broadcasting Right
    • Broadcasting Service
    • Cinema Content
    • Connectivity
    • Content Distribution
    • Content Production
    • Content Regulation
    • Film Festival
    • Film Industry
    • Media Regulation
    • Mergers & Acquisation
    • OTT & Streaming
    • Pay-TV
    • Radio Broadcasting
    • Industry Executives
    • Reports
    • Satellite
  • Industry Resources
    • Audio & Podcasts
    • Reports & Presentations
    • TV and Videos
  • Products & Services
    • Promo: Spotlight Service
  • Events
    • All Events
    • BMA Events
  • Join BMA Network
  • Login
  • Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
Join BMA
Login
No Result
View All Result
Home News & Reports Connectivity

July 21, 2024

South Africa’s 2G Switch-Off Process – Report
Connectivity
July 21, 2024

by
July 21, 2024
in Connectivity, News & Reports

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While discontinuing these outdated cellular technologies will free up critical network resources, concerns about the potential impact on essential systems exist.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.

Tags: ConnectivityMTNTelecommunicationVodacom
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

July 21, 2024

SES Finalises US$3.21 Billion Financing For Intelsat Acquisition
Mergers & Acquisation
July 21, 2024

Next Post

July 21, 2024

IBC 2024 Set To Introduce New Features To Improve Networking, Learning, And Business Opportunities
Industry Conference
July 21, 2024

Next Post

South Africa: LEO Satellite Service Transforms Rural Internet Services

Related Industry Resources

  • Resolving The Challenges And Solutions In Multiplatform Live Streaming USD 4.95
  • Creators and Broadcasters Together for All Children USD 9.95
  • Securing Content In A Digital World USD 4.95
  • Securing Our Digital Migration With Adequate Funding – Lessons From Our Experiences USD 4.95
  • Capturing, Processing And Evidencing “time-spent” Audience Data To Attract And Sustain Advertisers' Confidence USD 9.95
Publisher
-
Benjamin Pius

 About us

Our goal is always to keep industry stakeholders abreast of opportunities in technology and service innovations that are and will shape Africa’s broadcasting and media industry via quality news, information, intelligence and insight .

Contact us

+44 (0) 207 712 1526
info@broadcastingandmedia.com
BSP Communications Limited
Level 37, One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London, E14 5AB, United Kingdom

No Result
View All Result
  • July 21, 2024

    News & Reports
    September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Animation Content
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Broadcasting
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Broadcasting Right
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Broadcasting Service
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Cinema Content
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Connectivity
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Content Distribution
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Content Production
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Content Regulation
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Film Festival
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Film Industry
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Media Regulation
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Mergers & Acquisation
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      OTT & Streaming
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Pay-TV
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Radio Broadcasting
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Industry Executives
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Reports
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Satellite
      September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Industry Resources
    September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Audio & Podcasts
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Reports & Presentations
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      TV and Videos
      September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Products & Services
    September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      Promo: Spotlight Service
      September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Events
    September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      All Events
      September 23, 2025
    • July 21, 2024

      BMA Events
      September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Join BMA Network
    September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Login
    September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    Dashboard
    September 23, 2025
  • July 21, 2024

    September 23, 2025

© 2023 Broadcast Media Africa

  • Sign in

Forgot your password?

Email me a Sign in Link

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login