The fundamental reason mobile network service providers shut down 2G and 3G is to reframe the spectrum for faster and more efficient devices. Secondly, it is more cost-effective for the network service provider to operate a superior LTE network than maintaining an older technology, i.e., 2G and 3G. Thus, several network providers are switching off the 2G and 3G networks. For instance, Telus Mobility shut its 2G in 2017, and Bell Mobility closed its 2G network in 2019. Rogers Wireless completed its 2G sunset in 2021 and its 3G on 1900 MHz sunset in March 2021 (but will continue its 3G support on 850 MHz until 2025). Thus, repurposing and shutting down 2G and 3G networks is expected to propel 2G & 3G switch off market growth.

The North America 2G & 3G switch off market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. According to the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA), a US wireless communications industry, ~9% of wireless connections in the US are 2G or 3G. Operators across the region are motivated to switch off to save money on operating expenses and re-purpose the freed spectrum for next-generation mobile technologies like 5G. As of 2022, all the main US operators, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, have shut down 3G networks. Verizon shut down its 3G network in December 2022 and AT&T in February 2022. Such instances drive the 2G & 3G switch off market size.

Several players globally shut down 2G and 3G network which propel the 2G & 3G switch off market growth. For example, as of December 2022, various businesses in Canada, such as Bell, Telus, and Rogers, all stopped supporting 3G. Rogers, Canada's main mobile operator supporting the 2G network, retains the 850 MHz band for 2G GSM and 3G W-CDMA services. Still, the company's 2G network is only used in remote areas outside the 3G network footprint. Thus, such a shutdown of the 2G and 3G services promoted the 2G & 3G switch off market.

Key Findings of Study:

The Europe 2G & 3G switch off market is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. 2G and 3G technologies are expensive to maintain and inefficient from an energy perspective. Thus, several regional operators are switching off the 2G and 3G technology. For instance, as of September 2023, various UK mobile network operators confirmed to the government that they?do not plan to offer 2G and 3G mobile networks?after?2033. This will support the rollout of the 4G and 5G networks, offering faster and more reliable customer service. The operators are making their own decisions on the timing and process of the switch off, and they all plan to switch off their 3G networks first. Thus, such switch off by the operators propel the growth of the 2G & 3G switch off market.

According to SIM GmbH's data, mobile operators in Germany, including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2, have announced the 3G switch off, with Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone switching off their 3G radio cells in June 2021. In rural areas of Europe, the widespread 2G network is significant, despite being a slower connectivity. Hence MNOs are not keen to stop it abruptly. Only Vodafone among mobile operators across Europe has announced a date for the switch off of 2G and plans to pull the plug on the 2G network in December 2025. Thus, the decision of operators to switch off the 2G and 3G networks will propel the 2G & 3G switch off market.

Segmental Overview

The 2G & 3G switch off market is categorized based on Type and application. Based on Type, the 2G & 3G switch off market is bifurcated into 2G and 3G. The 3G segment had a larger market share in 2020, and the 2G segment is declining faster. In terms of application, the market is segmented into message, voice, data, and IoT. The IoT segment is decelerating at the fastest pace as industries are shifting to 5G-enabled devices. By geography, the 2G & 3G switch off market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). APAC is adopting 5G at the fastest pace and has a faster-declining rate of 2G & 3G switch off market.

Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

AT&T Inc, BCE Inc, China Mobile Ltd, Deutsche Telekom AG, KDDI Corp, NTT Data Corp, Orange SA, Telefonica SA, Telenor ASA, and Vodafone Group Plc are among the key players profiled during this market study. In addition, several other essential market players were also studied and analyzed to get a holistic view of the global 2G & 3G switch off market and its ecosystem.

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