MTN decides to shutdown 3G! Users Must now Upgrade Before 2025 Deadline to avoid disconnection
MTN decides to shutdown 3G network by December 31, 2025, a year earlier than originally planned. This follows a successful test run that was done in Cape Town to help transition customers from their 3G services within a certain region.
The company contacted the test participants recalling the statement made by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in September 2022, which talked about the 2G and 3G network shutdown plans. While this could create some inconvenience for customers, MTN seems to have adopted a more controlled strategy to cater to the disruption.
Gradual Strategy to 3G Service Suspension
From January 2024, MTN informed the customers likely to be affected by the shutdown regarding the pilot project, making it clear that an evaluation would be done after the pilot before a more extensive integration of 3G migration policies.
The test phase was done in parts of Cape Town, notably deployment areas of Durbanville, Greater Melkbosstrand, and Milnerton Bloubergstrand, encompassing the zone of consideration for the shutdown.
MTN has verified that it completed the pilot with success and has resolved to not change the plan of movement from the legacy technologies on or before the close of 2025.
A company representative said that MTN is in the process of transferring subscribers from the older 2G and 3G systems into 4G and 5G systems in order to improve service levels and allow further investment in modern networks.
Forthcoming Changes to 2G Networks
At the same time, MTN is trying to determine the timeframe for moving users off the company’s 2G network. More information on this matter will be provided in due time. The discontinuation of 2G and 3G services conforms to the greater move in the industry towards next-generation networks that are designed to provide better and more reliable connectivity.
The problems, however, still persist. South Africa’s communications minister, Solly Malatsi, has lately informed Parliament that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has requested funding for an economic impact assessment of the consequences of the shutdown of these networks.
This assessment will seek to engage players in the private sector and pinpoint locations in the country that do not have sufficient 4G or 5G coverage since many residents in these zones may be severely cut off from the rest of the country.
Affordable Issues and Industry Cooperation
One of the primary challenges in adopting 4G and 5G networks is the price of the relevant devices. Vodacom and MTN have started selling inexpensive 4G and 5G devices but are calling on the government to help them avoid the cut-off of old networks.
In September 2024, Vodacom launched the Mobicel S4, a 4G cloud phone that is being marketed as a competitively priced “smartphone lite” device. While in November 2024, MTN launched the Icon 5G, a budget-tier 5G smartphone that costs R2,499, has a 6.6-inch screen, 128GB of storage, a 50MP back camera, and a 5000mAh battery.
In light of the concern regarding affordability, Minister Malatsi has shown a willingness to collaborate with leaders in the National Treasury to eliminate ad valorem taxes on low tier 4 and 5 devices. He does not advocate for the abolition of all luxury taxes on smart devices but proposes some form of moderation that can set a floor price to meet needs.
Is the same thing Happening in Nigeria?
Currently, MTN Nigeria lacks any public communications concerning the intended shutdown of its 3G network infrastructure. In reality, the company underlines its focus on supporting 2G and 3G services for subscribers that still depend on them.
Chief Technical Officer Mohammed Rufai mentioned that MTN does not have such networks’ sunset plans because many Nigerian users have devices that are limited to 2G or 3G. He pointed out that although 4G and 5G are being deployed, many people still rely on them.
Conversely, MTN Group has indicated that it will discontinue its 3G network in South Africa on the 31st of December 2025 after completing a successful test in Cape Town. The objective of this initiative is to enhance the capability of other technologies such as 4G and 5G.
As a caveat, this information is only applicable to South Africa in terms of MTN’s business and does not apply to operations in Nigeria.
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