MTN has announced its intention to deactivate its 3G network by 31 December 2025, advancing its original timeline by one year. This decision follows a pilot project conducted in Cape Town, which aimed to facilitate the migration of customers from 3G services within a designated area.
In a communication directed to customers involved in the pilot, MTN referenced a statement from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in September 2022, which expressed the intention to phase out both 2G and 3G networks.
While this transition may affect customers, MTN is dedicated to ensuring that the impact is minimized. Therefore, the company has adopted a phased approach to the migration process.
In January 2024, MTN informed the impacted customers about the pilot project, emphasizing that once the pilot phase concludes, an assessment will be undertaken before implementing a broader 3G migration plan.
Simultaneously, MTN is evaluating potential timelines for transitioning users from the 2G network, with further communications regarding this process to be provided in due course.
When prompted for an update on the 3G switch-off pilot, MTN confirmed its success and reiterated its objective to complete the transition from legacy technologies by the end of the specified year.
A spokesperson stated that MTN is actively migrating customers from the outdated 2G and 3G networks to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies to enhance customer experience and facilitate continued investment in efficient, modern networks.
The pilot conducted in 2024 included various locations in Cape Town, specifically Durbanville, Greater Melkbosstrand, and the Milnerton Bloubergstrand areas.
The purpose of this pilot was to evaluate the migration process and optimize future rollouts. Following its successful completion, MTN is implementing a phased migration strategy, with a full transition intended by 31 December 2025. Throughout this transition, the company remains committed to maintaining excellent connectivity and minimizing disruptions for customers.
While prior communications minister Mondli Gungubele had set deadlines for South Africa's transition away from 2G and 3G, these deadlines have been suspended pending further industry consultations. Current communications minister Solly Malatsi recently informed Parliament that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is conducting an economic impact assessment to mitigate the effects of the switch-off. This assessment will gather input from private sector stakeholders and identify regions within the country that still lack adequate 4G and 5G coverage, as residents in these areas might face significant challenges.
Malatsi emphasized that South Africa will only consider deactivating legacy networks once the assessment is completed. One significant challenge in discontinuing 2G and 3G services in South Africa lies in the relatively high costs associated with 4G and 5G devices. Although Vodacom and MTN have made strides to address this issue by launching affordable 4G and 5G devices, they advocate for a collaborative approach with the government, discouraging the imposition of arbitrary deadlines for legacy network deactivation.
Vodacom introduced the Mobicel S4, a 4G-enabled cloud-based phone, in September 2024 at a competitive price, promoting it as a "smartphone lite" option. An assessment by MyBroadband indicated that the device offers impressive functionality relative to its price point. Concurrently, MTN launched the Icon 5G in November 2024, providing an affordable entry-level 5G smartphone. Priced at R2,499, the Icon 5G features a 6.6-inch display, 128GB of storage, a 50MP primary rear camera, and a 5,000mAh battery.
In alignment with these developments, Minister Malatsi expressed an interest in working with the National Treasury to reduce the costs associated with 4G and 5G smartphones by eliminating ad valorem taxes on entry-level devices. He clarified that while the removal of all luxury goods taxes on smart devices is not being proposed, establishing a specific threshold would be beneficial.