The 2G / 3G sunset: what you need to know

Mobile Network Operators across the world have begun the gradual phase out of 2G and 3G networks—otherwise known as the 2G / 3G sunset. And for organisations that depend on 2G or 3G connectivity for their vital communications and IoT solutions, it’s crunch time.

Wait, there are still IoT applications using 2G?

Yep—it might be three generations old, but 2G is a tried and tested stalwart for low power IoT applications that don’t require high bandwidth or large amounts of data.

And with the best coverage of all generations, it’s a low-cost option to run across large deployments, making it perfect for sensors, tracking, and monitoring. In fact, the UK government’s national smart meter roll-out still largely depends on 2G.

Why are networks shutting down 2G and 3G?

Sunsetting is a well-trodden path in tech. As technology advances, the cost of running old technology often outweighs the benefits, and it’s no different when it comes to cellular networks. Things become even more problematic if the equipment used becomes unsupported.

With demand for 5G increasing, MNOs are faced with a choice. Continue using resources to maintain 2G and 3G networks, or shut them down and reuse the spectrum for the far more powerful and efficient 5G.

When will 2G / 3G sunset happen?

3G is likely to shutdown before 2G.

3G has long been a mainstay because of its voice capabilities—a feature 4G struggled with early on. But with 4G now able to handle the majority of voice traffic, and 2G being the more attractive option to support most IoT applications, 3G no longer has much reason to stick around. So critical IoT applications that run on 3G such as CCTV will need to switch connectivity—and fast.

In the UK, both EE and Vodafone have confirmed the phasing out of 3G by 2022, while they’ll continue to support 2G until 2025.

O2 and Three have confirmed their 2G / 3G sunsets, but are yet to pin down timelines.

What are my options?

While 5G’s capability is unrivalled, switching over to such a powerful service might seem like overkill for tech that’s worked just fine on 2G or 3G.

So for technology that doesn’t require a significant increase in bandwidth, data usage, or low latency, there are other options:

LPWAN connectivity

One of the most cost-effective, customisable options, LPWAN connectivity is designed to keep solutions connected over huge distances while maintaining a powerful signal and battery life. Two options here include:

Sigfox

With the highest range, Sigfox’s low power consumption makes it perfect for sending small chunks of data from hard-to-reach or multi-site deployments that need to stay up and running for long stretches of time, including:

– Utility monitoring
– Predictive maintenance
– Asset monitoring

If your solution is in an area covered by Sigfox, this is a good option.

LoRaWAN

Similarly, LoRaWAN boasts long-range and low power consumption. And being open spec you can deploy solutions with ease. It’s better suited to:

– Precision farming
– Manufacturing automation
– Asset tracking

Since you (or a partner) build your own LoRaWAN network, coverage is only limited by where you want to deploy.

NB-IoT connectivity

While it can’t match Sigfox’s range for an individual device, NB-IoT connectivity still holds up over long distances and keeps battery consumption to a minimum, with excellent signal penetration to boot. As it’s built on cellular infrastructure, it has a well established coverage base. It’s great for low latency solutions that don’t move much or need to constantly send data such as:

– Vending
– Smart cities
– Utility monitoring

4G LTE connectivity

If you’ve got a more data-heavy solution that requires higher bandwidth and low latency, 4G LTE is a good fit. With extensive coverage and the reliability that comes with Multi-Network SIMs, this one is leagues ahead for solutions that are running on 3G right now:

– CCTV
– Mobile broadband
– Retail POS

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Navigating the 2G / 3G sunset

With 2G and 3G being known quantities that many customers have familiarity with, the next few years will require some navigation for users who are satisfied with the service and may be unprepared (or unwilling) to move to alternate technologies.

No need to worry—we’re here to make the switch simple for you and your customers. We’ll analyse your current solutions and upcoming projects, find a connectivity match that’s perfect for your business needs, and build you a roadmap for seamless deployment.