The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is aiming to start the sunsetting of older-generation telecommunications networks from next year.

In accordance with the Next-Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development, published late last month, all 2G and 3G networks will be shut down by December 2027.

The previous draft spectrum policy, published in 2022, proposed the shutdown of the 2G network by March 31, 2024, and the shutdown of 3G services by December 31, 2024.

The latest policy sets out a new preliminary roadmap towards the sunset of the older- generation networks in a coordinated manner to enable South Africa to realise the benefits of technological changes in telecommunications and unlock efficiency in the spectrum, while aiming to ensure minimal disruption to existing services.

The revised Next-Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy outlines the start of the shutdown of 2G and 3G services from June 1, 2025, followed by the total shutdown of the older generation networks by December 31, 2027.

This will be preceded by the prohibition of type approval of 2G- and 3G-only devices by September 30, 2024, and the prohibition of activation of 2G- and 3G-only devices on networks by December 31, 2024.

The sequencing for the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks and their related dates will be determined by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, subject to conducting an economic and regulatory impact assessment within a year to ascertain and mitigate any potential risk to the economy and end-users of such services and applications.

The policy notes that, while the information and communication technology industry has been planning and preparing for the shutdown of the older-generation networks, such as 2G and 3G, other sectors of the economy still offer services and applications that rely on and use these networks.

However, the policy also recognises the ‘opportunity cost’ of not shutting down these older-generation networks.

The older-generation networks or technologies will not aid government in meeting the requirements of broadband access for all its citizens and can impede elementary technological developments, such as the transfer of spectrum from older-generation networks to newer-generation networks, which are more spectrum efficient.

“To promote spectrum efficiency, and enable service benefit to citizens, the policy supports a continuous review and shutdown of inefficient networks to free up the high- demand spectrum for use by newer-generation network technologies that are more spectrum efficient,” the policy notes.

“To ensure a smooth transition from older- to newer-generation networks, supported by an economic and regulatory impact assessment, a phased approach to the shutdown of older-generation networks shall be considered within two to three years of publication of the policy.”

The Communications and Digital Technologies Minister will, in due course, issue a policy direction for the shutdown of older and inefficient networks after consultation with the authority and industry stakeholders and plans to continuously review, update and publish a roadmap with a revised timeline for the shutdown.