The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) released the findings of its new report, “2G-3G Switch-off July-2022.” Drawing on information collected by the GSA about the switch-off of 2G and 3G around the world, this report focuses on the number of operators that have already migrated these networks, those in the process of doing so and those planning such a move. It found that 135 operators have either completed, planned or are in progress with 2G and 3G technology transitions in 68 countries and territories.

The report goes into more details and shares that 75 operators in 42 countries and territories have either completed or planned 2G switch-offs with 23 operators in 14 countries and territories having completed 2G switch-offs.

For 3G, the report reveals that 75 operators in 40 countries and territories have either completed, planned or are in progress with network switch-offs, including 26 operators in 15 countries and territories have completed the move.

The report observes disparities between regions and the pace of 2G and 3G network switch-offs. Europe has or will be undertaking the largest number of technology migrations, with 93 or 63 percent of the total. Asia will be responsible for 31 (21 percent), followed by North America and the Middle East and Africa with 8 (5 percent) each, and Oceania with 7 (5 percent). Latin America and the Caribbean has just 2 (1 percent) 2G and 3G switch-offs. 

“When they were first introduced to the market, 2G and 3G were highly important innovations, but as greater technological advances have emerged, their importance has waned, and usage of both technologies is now diminishing worldwide,” stated Joe Barrett, President of the GSA, “As such, more and more operators and governments are coming to the decision that the older 2G and 3G technologies as well as the spectrum allocated to them should be migrated to faster and more efficient 4G and 5G networks. At the GSA, we are forecasting an increase in the number of operators moving off 2G and 3G networks as the transition to 4G and 5G will fully unfold.”

The full report can be download from the GSA website.