Shutting down 2G and 3G in South Africa
31 August 2022
Editor's Choice
South Africa’s mobile network operators need to shut down their 2G and 3G network to keep up with the demand for faster, cheaper data. Decommissioning the existing networks, however, will be difficult as many legacy systems in South Africa are still using this spectrum. Already, many network operators overseas have announced that they will be switching off their 3G networks by the end of 2022, having already shut down their 2G networks.
Shutting down the existing 2G and 3G networks has huge benefits, both financially and in terms of data throughput, as the spectrum currently being used may then be redistributed to technologies that use the available spectrum more efficiently.
In South Africa, however, many customers still rely on 2G networks for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and IoT applications. This may pose a huge problem as upgrading the existing systems to use a more modern network such as 4G or 5G will not only take a large amount of time but also come at a considerable cost. The cost of upgrading the existing communication system is a factor, but so too is the increased cost of paying for communications on the 4G or 5G network compared to 2G.
One option for future M2M and IoT communications is to switch over to one of the existing communication protocols specifically designed around IIoT communications such as LoRa or SigFox. These network technologies can benefit nearly all transitions away from 2G and 3G networks by offering a superior choice due to its optimal data usage, indoor and outdoor coverage, and significantly lower connectivity and data costs. However, options to connect to these systems in South Africa is quite sparse compared to overseas, and it remains to be seen whether switching to one of these networks will actually be a viable option in the long run.
What we do know if that a solution to the shutting down of 2G and 3G has not yet been found, and this may prove to be a major headache for industry who rely on these networks for communication of their industrial measurement and control data.
Further reading:
20 years of precision, progress and purpose – the Jemstech journey
Jemstech
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Twenty years ago, Jemstech began as a small, determined venture built on technical excellence and trust. Today, it stands among South Africa’s leading electronic manufacturing service providers.
Read more...
A new era in wire bond inspection
Techmet
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Viscom is developing a 3D wire bond inspection system that incorporates substantially improved sensors, a high image resolution, and fast image data processing.
Read more...
Energy harvesting using a battery-less IoT system
NuVision Electronics
Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Energy Harvesting plays an essential role in the foundation of ambient IoT, a new generation of ultra-low power connected devices that operate by drawing energy from their environment instead of relying on traditional batteries.
Read more...
Questing for the quantum AI advantage
Editor's Choice AI & ML
Two quantum experts disclose high hopes and realities for this emerging space.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Progress meets reality
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice
In the first half of 2025, renewable energy, incorporating solar, wind, and to a lesser degree hydropower and bioenergy, has generated more electricity globally than coal did.
Read more...
From ER to effortless: The 15-year journey of Seven Labs Technology
Seven Labs Technology
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
What started as a business likened to an ‘ER’ for electronic components has today grown into a trusted partner delivering kitting services and full turnkey solutions – taking the effort out of electronics and helping customers truly ‘Move to Effortless.’
Read more...
The trends driving uptake of IoT Platform as a Service
Trinity IoT
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
IoT platforms, delivered as a service, are the key that will enable enterprises to leverage a number of growing trends within the IT space, and access a range of benefits that will help them grow their businesses.
Read more...
Interlynx-SA: Engineering SA’s digital backbone
Interlynx-SA
Editor's Choice
At the heart of the industrial shift towards digitalisation lies the growing demand for telemetry, Industrial IoT (IIoT), advanced networking, and robust data solutions, and Interlynx-SA is meeting this demand.
Read more...
Converting high voltages without a transformer
Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
With appropriate power converter ICs, such as the LTC7897 from Analog Devices, many applications can be suitably powered without having to use complex and cost-intensive transformers.
Read more...
Grinn Global: From design house to SoM innovator
Editor's Choice
From its beginnings as a small electronic design house, Grinn Global has moved into the spotlight as a system-on-module innovator working alongside technology giants like MediaTek.
Read more...
printer friendly version