2G is here to stay

Refarming 3G in areas where 4G signal is strong is most probable, if your 4G is good why do you even need 3G?

Of course, for non VoLTE phone, signal switch to 2G is possible whenever call is made

First, need to ensure all phone is at least 4G capable, seen too much tv shopping selling smartphone up to 3G only, pity those who get duped since they didn't disclose the network capability on show

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https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/smartphon...etwork-shutdown - All you need to know about 2G network shutdown - March 28, 2017

''''''' SINGAPORE - From April 1, Singapore's 2G mobile network will be gradually shut down, with a complete cessation of 2G mobile services by April 18. In other words, you won't be able to make calls, send SMS/MMS or use mobile data with a 2G mobile phone. '''''''

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https://www.telecomasia.net/content/thailan...2g-shutdown-oct - Thailand to mandate 2G shutdown in Oct - Dec 21, 2018

''''''' Thai telecoms regulator NBTC has set a schedule for the mandated shutdown of 2G networks across the country in order to free up capacity for 5G deployment.

The regulator has ordered an end to all 2G services by October 2019, the Bangkok Post reported. '''''''
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Malaysia should also be shutting down 2G soon, in order to refarm its frequencies for 4G or 5G. But 3G will remain for quite a while in Malaysia, eg may be shutdowned to refarm its frequencies for the future 6G.
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You are quite right. There are other Android tablets that have built-in phone-calling/sms function, ie no need to be paired to a smartphone.
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I have no idea about this. Sorry.
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Thai operators in 2G u-turn
https://www.developingtelecoms.com/telecom-...-2g-u-turn.html

Thai regulator NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) has dropped plans to decommission the country’s 2G networks after a change of heart from the major operators.

They do have VoLTE but not enable it for whatever reasons.

small island senang urus
thailand u-turn
india shutdown 3G keep alive 2G
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/no-...2432537709.html

4G is not properly implemented, not every phone has VoLTE, or else can eliminate 2G and 3G altogether

Heres hoping ALL 5G phones able to make Vo5G calls so older tech can be phased out

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/494629 - GSMA: M'sia should take gradual and cautious steps for 5G - Oct 5, 2019

''''''' Granryd said the 5G technology would provide firm support for daily activities, allow smooth business transactions and be more economical, as maintenance for 3G technology would be expensive over time with the rapid advancement in global technology.

“3G maintenance is more expensive than 5G because it is old technology. The higher the G, the more efficient it becomes due to more built-in intelligent solutions.

“Eventually, vendors would stop manufacturing 3G and possibly 2G technology products. So from that perspective, it will be more complicated to do maintenance for the network,” he added.

From the global perspective, Granryd said that operators are slowly phasing out 2G and some of their 3G network infrastructure to keep up with technological advancements.

“The 2G network only offers good connectivity from the voice perspective, whereas 3G technology is in-between 2G and 4G. Hence, some operators have decided to shut down 3G and focus on 4G, and that could be the way forward for Malaysia,” he said. '''''''
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Many European mobile network operators have confirmed that they will remove support for their 3G networks from 2020 onwards:

Other regions such as North America and Asia have shut down their 2G networks first, so why is Europe different?

4G LTE can do anything 3G does but better and more cost effectively, so nobody is really interested in 3G in Europe today
Re-farming of 3G bands can boost 4G LTE networks making its sunset more valuable to operators
2G still supports low cost, large footprint coverage making it a better fail back technology from 4G LTE than 3G
2G is also still highly used for M2M/IoT applications – in fact, two thirds of operators cited this as a reason for continuing to support their 2G networks for longer
https://www.westbase.io/3g-sunset-in-europe...our-next-steps/

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Very good information.
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So basically in future.
We should have 2G, 4G & 5G services running same time...

Hopefully that time if 5G not available, got stable 4G to hang on 😁

https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/23/21336397...lte-2021-5g-lte - T-Mobile will reportedly dump some phones from its network — and even sooner than AT&T - VoLTE will reportedly be required on T-Mobile starting in 2021 - Jul 23, 2020
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Afaik;

What happens in USA, technology-wise, will usually also often happen in Malaysia 1 or 2 years later. Eg USA launched 5G in Jan 2020. Malaysia should be launching 5G in 2021.

So, we should get ready with Volte-capable devices by 2023 when 3G will likely be phased out in Malaysia.
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Aiya, do you ever been to any rural areas in East Malaysia or not? You have to understand that not every places got stable 4G signals. Let say if you travelled from KK, Sabah to any rural areas in Sabah you can receive stable 4G signals then you can switch it off early. But based on my experience, going to rural area like Tambunan only 70% on top of my phone's screen will show my telco name...other time you will only see "emergency calls only". So do you think it is a good choice to switch off 3G in 3 years time? Don't forget they will also improve 3G network according to NFCP project. Do you think they will switch off the equipment that they just install invest few years before 2023?

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There are also many resident in rural areas in USA without cellular service, eg farmers and cattlers.
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So, why must follow others?

Some town people die die want Malaysia turn off 2g 3g service because Singapore do it. Singapore jump we follow

Because he is American licker..
Everything must follow them...

We actually cannot really follow them..
Our condition is way different...

Actually not everyone....
Me personally against the switch off..
Because I know the condition in those rural areas in Borneo.. heck even peninsular got issues too...

2G and 3G is here to stay for a while in Malaysia, as not all devices support VoLTE and also the existence of older devices, which still gain some revenue. Poor coverage and instability means that the mobile signals will still sometimes drop to 3G/2G! This is not to mention that Maxis still don't support VoLTE on 4G! However, in the long term, 2G/3G has to shutdown.

US is a very different market when compared to Europe/Asia when most devices are supported by the telcos/carriers.

Note that due to firmware issue, there isn't a Android phone that supports VoLTE natively on all mobile networks across the world, except iPhone, despite phones in recent years having chipsets that supports VoLTE.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Jul 28 2020, 06:25 AM

Hi,

Has anyone visited USA with Tunetalk sim card yet? My tunetalk Buddies pre-paid sim used to work. It stopped working early June or maybe late May 2022. I am not able to register with AT&T 4G network, and their 3G is shut off now. Any advice from folks here?

Thanks!