BT Group has shared an update on how it will prepare for the closure of 2G. The company said its 2G network will be closed “later this decade”.
Preparations will include continuing to expand the reach of 4G and 5G networks and working closely with industry bodies, charities and Ofcom to raise awareness.
Today, 0.1 percent of all data on the entire EE mobile network is carried over 2G. However, some businesses do still use it as part of their operations, primarily to transfer small amounts of data between devices, sensors or machines.
BT said that, by reaching out to these businesses now to make them aware of how its network is changing, it hopes to “provide tailored support and technical advice so they can upgrade to a modern connection”.
Writing on a company blog post, Howard Watson, chief security and networks officer, BT Group, said, “While we will not be closing our 2G network until later this decade, the time for businesses to start preparing is now.
“We want to make sure all UK businesses understand how our network is evolving and give several years notice before any changes take effect.”
Watson added that, in the coming months, BT will contact “business customers who still use 2G in their operations to encourage and support them in making the move to a modern network”. He suggested 4G, 5G or BT’s new Internet of Things (IoT) service as upgrade possibilities.
2G is energy intensive and, as with any technology, the older it gets the less reliable and more difficult to repair it becomes. Operators in markets including the US, Australia and Europe have already switched off their 2G networks.
Kester Mann, director, CCS Insight, explained the announcement is an “important step on the journey toward a more efficient, capable, and sustainable network architecture”.
He added, “The UK has been slower than some other European markets to transition; hopefully, [this] will accelerate this important process.”