ITS ALL 3G IF YOU ASK ME…
It’s not just the PSTN network that has its planned switch-off in 2025. Alongside this, the mobile networks have also been planning the switch-off of all 2G and 3G mobile phone services.
Whilst the vast majority of mobile phone users now have 4G and 5G services using smart devices from Apple and devices from the tens of manufacturers who build phones using the Android (from Google) operating system, there are some (estimated) 5.5 million people still have standard non-smart ‘brick’ phones that are only compatible with 2G (voice only) and 3G (basic rate data) transmission signalling.
The legacy mobile mast switch-off is due to take place in 2025; however, Vodafone has already announced that in Glasgow, 2G & 3G services will be phased out starting in early 2024, so this may have already happened in your area.
THE GOOD OLD BRICK PHONE
The term ‘brick’ phone basically refers to old Nokia-style handsets. There are millions of users who do not have smartphones, so the chipsets are not designed to pick up 4G signals. Many voice calls go via the data network, especially now with the rise of calling via apps such as WhatsApp. The voice transmission is effectively VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol
Having one of the earliest mobile network systems (from a global perspective), 2G has been around since the 1970s in terms of analogue perspective, before the SIM card-based GSM system in the mid-90s.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
As we upgrade the landline infrastructure, by the very nature of the beast, Mobile Phone masts are served with better capacity (as each mast has to have a transit to the landline network), so our cellular infrastructure has naturally been able to develop mast that can send and receive data at higher and higher rates.
So, if you know anyone who is using a non-smartphone, they need to check if it is still going to work in 12 – 18 months’ time.
For businesses that may have older 3G data dongles, it’s worth looking at an alternative solution as products have evolved considerably in the pocket wi-fi space.
MAXIMUM NETWORKS
Get in touch with the Maximum Networks team team today on 0330 102 7444 or using our contact form