According to Reuters, the United Kingdom said on Wednesday that it will phase out its 2G and 3G mobile networks by 2033. This will enable the country to release radio waves for 5G and eventually 6G networks. These networks will be unmanned and will be very useful for unmanned cars, drones, and virtual reality technologies. The British government stated that all four operators in the UK - EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three agree to this timetable. British Telecom, which uses the same core network as EE, said in July that it will phase out 3G in early 2023. The company will then phase out 2G that has more than 25 years of history in ten years.
The British government said that setting a date to end 2G and 3G services will make it easier for new equipment manufacturers to enter the market because they will not have to support traditional technologies.
Germany to shut down 3G network next year
As the commercialization of 5G continues to expand in different regions, older network solutions will go into extinction. Network operators in Germany have been setting timelines for the termination of 3G services in the country. Deutsche Telekom is the third major operator in Germany to announce a date for the termination of 3G services. The company officially shut down the 3G network on June 30, 2021. This enables the carrier to clear the spectrum for 4G and 5G services.
Telefonica Deutschland and Vodafone Germany have since announced their plans to shut down 3G services in 2022. This announcement seems to consolidate the 3G situation in Germany. Technically, by 2022, we will see the end of 3 G services in Germany.
Deutsche Telekom said the company will use 4G services to fill the 3G coverage gap. However, customers without compatible terminal equipment will have to downgrade to its 2G network. The company added that almost all packages already include 4G access. This means that customers do not need to pay extra.
Dirk Wossner, board member and CEO of Deutsche Telekom, said that as the operator is advancing its 5G deployment in Germany. Its latest move will make way for "the most advanced technology."
"The 3G switch-off next summer will enable us to further improve our network. We are using the 3G frequency spectrum that is becoming available for the most modern technologies. We want LTE for everyone and we are building Germany's largest 5G network".
The shutdown of 3G networks is continuing on a global scale. The likes of India, Spain, the U.S., and other regions are set to terminate 3G services.
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