Navigating the Spectrum Sunsetting Roadmap 2024-2040: Strategies for Cellular Technology Generations Sunset
The Spectrum Sunsetting Roadmap for 2024-2040 outlines strategies for phasing out older cellular technology generations. The mobile industry is facing challenges with network sunsetting, especially with the continued reliance on 3G and 2G for legacy applications. The complications with shutting down 2G networks have raised concerns about avoiding similar issues when it comes time to sunset 4G networks in about ten years.
Following the introduction of 4G technology in 2009, certain countries quickly made the decision to phase out 2G and 3G networks, especially if there were not many old applications or users still relying on them. Without any pushback from stakeholders or regulators to keep the older networks running, operators were able to save on support and maintenance expenses by discontinuing them. This move also allowed for the allocation of valuable spectrum for newer technologies like 4G and eventually 5G.
While the initial generations of mobile networks were quickly replaced by digital voice and SMS texting, 2G has remained in use in certain markets for over forty years since its launch in Finland in 1991. This prolonged existence of 2G is not necessarily tied to economic conditions or revenue generated.
It is true that 2G and 3G technologies usually bring in less revenue, causing many operators to struggle with the decision of whether to keep these older technologies running or shut them down. While operators may not be required by contracts to maintain these services, they are hesitant to disconnect large numbers of consumers or business clients.
This trend has resulted in the creation of solutions that allow older generation networks to coexist with 4G and 5G in a more cost-efficient manner. This can be achieved through sharing base stations or spectrum, sometimes utilizing Open RAN technology. Further details on these solutions will be explored later in the report.
Our research indicates that there is a significant variation in sunset times for 2G and 3G networks, and this trend is likely to continue for 4G in the 2030s. However, the extent of this variation is expected to be reduced due to efforts to phase out older generations once full coverage is achieved with the most current RAN technology.
In some markets, the slow process of phasing out 2G and 3G networks has caused frustration among operators who are used to upgrading their cellular services every 10 years.
Certain industry professionals are advocating for a shift in approach with the introduction of 6G technology. They propose a more gradual and natural evolution of technology that allows for obsolescence to occur without the disruptions typically seen during the phase-out of 2G networks.
In order to predict when different technology generations will be phased out, a forecast chart has been created spanning 30 years from 2011 to 2040. By 2011, most operators had already introduced 2G and 3G services, while 4G was starting to become more prevalent. The beginning of the 5G era is marked by the start of the red segment, which is expected to launch at different times starting from 2019.
This is the most recent prediction available in the RAN Research Archive, which currently has:
Rethink Technology Research is a well-known analyst firm that has become a leading authority in the fields of 5G, wireless technology, entertainment and streaming media, the Internet of Things, and recently, the energy market. Their wireless research team, RAN Research, creates market predictions and technical reports.
Access the complete overview of the report by downloading the executive summary in full.
More articles to explore:
1. Seed4.Me: A trustworthy VPN for accessing blocked websites and securing your data
2. Singtel and Hitachi Digital collaborate to enhance industrial AI solutions
3. NeoCortec showcases a complete sensor-to-cloud solution at Embedded World 2024
4. VIAVI selects ETS-Lindgren for an anechoic chamber at VALOR Lab
5. Advancements in wireless technologies for the Indian Army
6. u-blox enables worldwide connectivity with compact LTE Cat 1bis cellular modules
7. Discussion on STMicroelectronics' latest microcontroller innovations and low power MCUs
8. STMicroelectronics' dedication to fostering innovation and edge AI advancements
9. Progress in power electronics for aircraft electrification by STMicroelectronics
10. STM32 MCUs from STMicroelectronics support wireless connections
11. Enhancing industrial network security for the future
12. EMITE and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate for OTA measurements
13. congatec introduces new SMARC modules based on NXP technology.