Poorer South Africans will not be able to upgrade to smartphone devices without state assistance
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.South Africa’s mobile network users will join consumers in leading global markets with access to next generation networks as domestic mobile network operators prepare to switch off legacy 2G and 3G for more advanced 4G and 5G technologies.
A more prudent approach is to encourage users to adopt these newer technologies and allow the market and industry to lead the pace of the transition. To do otherwise could risk disrupting services for millions of users who still rely on legacy technologies. We need to manage the transition at a realistic pace.
At the beginning of 2022, over a period of seven years, a total of 56 networks were shut down, of which 36 were 2G networks and 20 were 3G networks. None of the network shutdowns observed were because of strict government-set deadlines. These shutdowns were mainly market-led, with regulatory guidance provided by the relevant regulator.
This is a pressing problem to be overcome in the next two years. The ACT has had discussions with the department of trade and industry to look at a possible reduction in customs duties to make these devices more affordable to all. While 60% of mobile internet subscriptions still rely on 3G, this is predicted to drop to 22% by 2025, but a careful approach is necessary to mitigate the risk of coverage gaps, particularly in rural areas where these legacy technologies are more prevalent.
The broadcast migration has taken nine years and is still not completed; the final date to switch off all analogue television broadcasting services above 694MHz is 31 December 2024. The current timeline for the 2G/3G switch-off is much tighter, highlighting the need for an industry-led process.
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