Neil Postman, famous author, educator and technology critic said that “technology giveth, and technology taketh away. This means that for every advantage a new technology offers, there is always a corresponding disadvantage. The disadvantage may exceed in importance the advantage, or the advantage may well be worth the cost and technology”.
I suspect this underscores the cul-de-sac we currently face as we roll towards the planned 2G and 3G network shutdown scheduled for 01 Jun 2025.
An important question (and certainly not the only one), is, to what extent will this influence our day-to-day lives? To understand the impact of the planned shutdown, we first need to make a few important points and cover a bit of backstory.
WHAT EXACTLY IS 2G AND 3G TECHNOLOGY ALL ABOUT ANYWAY?
Let’s provide a layman’s explanation of the technology in question:
Cellular connectivity to mobile networks across the globe is made possible by three mobile communication technologies, namely:
- GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) that enables second generations of mobile networks (2G).
- UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems) that enable third generations of mobile networks (3G).
- LTE (Long Term Evolution) that enables fourth generations of mobile networks (4G).
GSM and UMTS were primarily launched in Europe, but they are now the leading mobile communications technologies worldwide in conjunction with LTE.
While multiple cellular technologies enable 2G and 3G, LTE is the only technology that enables 4G. GSM, as a cellular technology standard, is less capable of providing high-speed data, compared to UMTS and LTE.
Before we get too technical, our global mobile communication system relies heavily on these technologies for a range of critical devices that control security, management and communication services.
Upon shutdown these devices will stop working.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
To be clear: The goal of this article is not fearmongering, it’s about keeping our customers, stakeholders and partners informed about this shutdown, and what should be done in the next couple of months to mitigate the risks in securing all your property assets, especially where 2G and 3G technologies are involved.
To recap; it all started with an announcement made by then Department of Communications and Digital Technologies minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, to ban the importation and distribution of 2G devices by end-February 2023. She made this statement at the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-22), hosted by Rwanda in Kigali.
The conference, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), took place from 06 -16 June 2022. The conference aimed to bridge the digital divide with the theme “Connecting the Unconnected to Achieve Sustainable Development.”
The minister said the ban would help South Africa shut down its 2G and 3G networks by 2025, and that mobile network operators would fully deploy 4G and 5G networks by 2025.
In hindsight this was a bold commitment, but, according to the minister, formed part of SA Connect, South Africa’s broadband connectivity drive to ensure that all South Africans have access to the internet by 2024.
But it’s never that simple when it comes to technology.
WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE SHUTDOWN SCHEDULE?
It soon became apparent that the shutdown time lines were not going to be achieved, and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies extended the deadline for shutting down South Africa’s 2G and 3G networks by two years.
It had previously planned to shut down the 2G network by June 2024 and the 3G network by March 2025. But the department confirmed that the dates were dependent on a risk impact assessment study that would be published within a year of the final publication of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy of South Africa.
The policy was published on 28 May 2024 and below is an extract (as on page 34 of the policy):
The following section provides preliminary dates for the sunset of 2G and 3G Networks. The sequencing for sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks and their related dates will be determined by the Authority subject to conducting an economic and regulatory impact assessment.
(a) The prohibition of type approval of 2G and 3G only devices –
30 September 2024.
(b) Prohibition of activation of 2G and 3G only devices on networks –
31 December 2024.
(c) Commencement for the shutdown of 2G and 3G services – 01 June 2025.
(d) Total shutdown of 2G and 3G networks – 31 December 2027.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PROPERTY ESTATES AND GATED COMMUNITIES?
Shutting down or decommissioning the 2G and 3G networks, means that once done, affected IoT (internet of things) devices will stop working.
Here are some examples of systems and devices that could potentially stop working:
- Vehicle Tracking.
- Communication and Intercom.
- Security System Monitoring.
- Intruder and Motion Detection.
- Sensors and Measuring.
- Alarm and Notification.
- Banking and Payment.
- Health Monitoring.
- Data Broadcasting.
- Security Access and Gate Control.
- Surveillance and Cameras.
As new technologies and spectrum bands are enabled, older services (such as 2G & 3G) will be throttled, switched off or retired. With 4G and 5G being steadily deployed globally, the process of retiring 2G and 3G networks is well underway in many countries and regions.
It is quite clear to see that shutting down of the network in question is not simply a cell phone operator issue, but a matter that can seriously jeopardise a range of security, control and management systems. Millions of IoT devices globally will need to be transitioned onto the LTE, 5G & NB IoT spectrum.
As a critical starting point, we would suggest that clients assess their current technology stack and identify the potential systems affected. Make sure to compare apples-with-apples and see what you can do with what you have. Many of these devices and systems can be converted or adapted with minor electronic alterations, while more seriously affected systems may have to be replaced in their entirety.
Understandably these changes will come at a premium but it’s best to get going with this sooner rather than later, when significant supply chain bottlenecks will have presented themselves. As we saw with the rush of solar electrical systems during the country wide electrical supply issues. Suppliers very quickly upped their prices when demand shot through the roof. Take charge of your situation while time is still in your favour.
Our professional advice to our clients is to future-proof all hardware and modem modules, for example 2G & NB-IoT or 2G & LTE becomes an important decision for new device installation projects. The current view from mobile networks around modem and chipset selections is to stick to 4G/LTE or NB-IoT, and where possible, to use devices that offer fallback to 2G/3G. This will allow for full functionality during the transition.
CLOSING REMARKS
One has to consider the government’s predicament, as it’s not easy to strike a good balance between efforts to make technology more accessible, while also promoting technological advancement. Providing essential access to poorer or developing communities, means making available more affordable technology, and in global terms that usually means substandard tech.
To ensure fair and equitable access to the economy, while also stimulating activities to grow the economy, the government has to make decisions that take all sides of the coin into consideration. Inevitably, as we continue to establish a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources, replacing older tech with more modern systems, can potentially leave millions without communication or access to the economic pool the government is trying to open up to wider participation.
The legendary Steve Jobs once said that “The over-all point is that new technology will not necessarily replace old technology, but it will date it. By definition, eventually, it will replace it. But it’s like people who had black-and-white TVs when colour came out. They eventually decided whether or not the new technology was worth the investment.”
At some point the cost of procuring better technology will outweigh the price of an earlier version or quality. Let’s hope that this shut down of the 2G and 3G networks, will in time, prove to have been the right decision and although costly for many in the short term, advantages will outweigh the costs for all in the long term.
Until then we need to continue innovating new solutions and find creative ways to use and interact with existing technologies.