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, particularly with the continued use of 3G and 2G for legacy applications. The difficulties experienced during 2G shutdowns have highlighted the need to avoid similar issues when it comes time to sunset 4G in approximately ten years.

Following the introduction of 4G in 2009, certain countries quickly decided to discontinue 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 generations, telecom operators were able to save money on support and maintenance costs by phasing out these networks. This also allowed for more spectrum to be available for 4G and eventually 5G technologies.

While the early versions of 1G technology were quickly replaced by digital voice and SMS texting, 2G technology has continued to be used in some markets for over 40 years since its introduction in Finland in 1991. This shows that the longevity of 2G is not always dependent on the economic status or revenue generated in those markets.

In general, 2G and 3G networks are known for generating less revenue, leading many operators to struggle with the decision of whether to keep these outdated technologies running or to shut them down. While operators are not always required by contracts to keep these services active, they are hesitant to lose a significant number of customers by discontinuing them.

This situation has resulted in the creation of solutions that allow older generations of mobile networks to operate more efficiently alongside 4G and 5G networks, by sharing base stations or spectrum. Open RAN technology is sometimes used to facilitate this coexistence. More details on these solutions will be provided 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 expected to continue for 4G networks in the 2030s. However, the extent of this variation is likely to be reduced as efforts are made to phase out older generations once full coverage is achieved with the latest RAN technology.

In certain markets, the prolonged process of phasing out 2G and 3G networks has made operators unhappy with the usual 10-year cycle of upgrading cellular services.

Certain telecommunications companies are advocating for a different approach with the development of 6G technology, one that allows for a more seamless and gradual transition without the disruptions that come with the phase-out of older generations like 2G.

In order to predict the end dates of different technologies like 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, a forecast chart has been created that covers a 30-year period from 2011 to 2040. By 2011, most operators had already introduced 2G and 3G services, with 4G being introduced around the same time. The beginning of the red segment on the chart signifies the launch of 5G networks at different times starting from 2019.

This represents the most up-to-date prediction found in the RAN Research Archive, which currently contains:

Rethink Technology Research is a company that has become known for its expertise in areas such as 5G, wireless technology, entertainment industry, streaming media, Internet of Things, and now energy market. Their wireless research team, RAN Research, creates market predictions and informative white papers on technology.

Get the complete overview of the executive summary by downloading it.

Other articles on the website include information about Seed4.Me, a VPN service that can help unblock websites and protect your online data. Singtel and Hitachi Digital have partnered to speed up the development of AI solutions for industrial applications. NeoCortec recently showcased a sensor to cloud solution at Embedded World 2024. VIAVI has selected ETS-Lindgren to provide an anechoic chamber for their VALOR Lab. The Indian Army is exploring next-generation wireless technologies. u-blox has launched new LTE Cat 1bis cellular modules for improved global connectivity. STMicroelectronics is known for its innovative microcontroller and low-power MCU technologies. They are committed to empowering edge AI innovations and advancing power electronics for aircraft electrification. Their STM32 MCUs also support wireless connectivity. To ensure industrial network security, it's important to future-proof your systems. EMITE and Rohde & Schwarz are collaborating to support OTA measurements, while congatec has introduced new SMARC modules based on NXP technology.