The 3G network will be shut down by December 31, 2025, according to MTN, one year before the scheduled switch-off date. This follows a trial effort by the mobile network operator to move users away from 3G in a ring-fenced area in Cape Town.
According to MTN, in a letter to pilot participants: “In September 2022, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies indicated its intention to phase out 2G and 3G networks.
“Although this process will affect our customers, MTN is committed to ensuring minimal impact in the transition. As a result, MTN will follow a phased approach for the migration,” the telecom giant added.
In January 2024, MTN notified the impacted customers about the test operation, revealing: “Once the pilot phase is completed, MTN will assess the project before rolling out the 3G migration on a large scale.
“Parallel to the 3G migration, MTN is assessing the viable dates to migrate users on the 2G network. Engagements to migrate the 2G Network services will be communicated in due course,” MTN added.
MTN released the information available to BrandSpur telecom and Iat news desk that the 3G switch-off trial was a success and that it would finish moving away from the outdated technology by the end of the year when asked for an update.
According to an MTN representative: “MTN is actively transitioning customers from legacy 2G and 3G networks to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies.”
“This strategic migration enhances customer experience and ensures continued investment in modern, efficient networks,” the representative added.
According to MTN, the 2024 pilot encompassed the Milnerton Bloubergstrand neighbourhood in Cape Town, the districts of Durbanville, and Greater Melkbosstrand.
Continuing, the representative had this to say: “The pilot aimed to assess the migration process and optimise future rollouts.
“Following its success, MTN is implementing a phased migration approach, with full transition planned for completion by 31st December 2025. Throughout this process, MTN remains committed to delivering excellent connectivity and minimising disruption to customers,” it was added.
Although dates for South Africa’s transition from 2G and 3G were established by previous communications minister Mondli Gungubele, they have essentially been postponed instead of industry talks. To lessen the impact of the switch-off, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is undertaking an economic impact assessment, current communications minister Solly Malatsi recently informed Parliament.
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Since people in those areas would be left behind, this entails getting feedback from private sector participants and identifying which regions of the nation still lack 4G and 5G coverage.
According to Malatsi, South Africa won’t think about shutting down the legacy networks until the evaluation is over. The comparatively high cost of 4G and 5G devices was a significant barrier to South Africa’s decision to phase out 2G and 3G. Even though Vodacom and MTN have launched reasonably priced 4G and 5G devices in an attempt to address this issue, they would nonetheless prefer that the government refrain from imposing arbitrary timelines for the shutdown of legacy networks.
In September 2024, Vodacom introduced the Mobicel S4, a cloud-based phone with 4G capabilities. The cell operator claimed that the device, which costs only R199, offers a “smartphone lite” experience.
In November 2024, MTN released the Icon 5G, a smartphone with 5G capabilities at a reasonable starting price. A 6.6-inch screen, 128GB of storage, a 50MP primary camera on the back, and a 5,000mAh battery are all features of the R2,499 Icon 5G.
Malatsi has stated that he wants to cooperate with the National Treasury to eliminate ad valorem taxes on entry-level smartphones to lower the cost of 4G and 5G models. Malatsi said: “We are not saying remove all the associated luxury goods taxes on smart devices, but have a threshold.”
Source: https://brandspurng.com/2025/02/11/mtn-sets-to-halt-use-of-3g-network-by-december/