2G3G is gradually withdrawing from the network. Can the mobile phone for the elderly still be used?

As the operator informed that “2G and 3G will be gradually withdrawn from the network”,

Many users are concerned about whether 2G mobile phones can still be used normally?

Why can't multiple G coexist?

Characteristics of 2G and 3G networks/Network withdrawal has become a general trend

The 2G network was officially commercialized in 1991. Its functions only include voice calls and text messages. The technology has lagged far behind the widely used 4G/5G networks today. According to data released by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association, as of September last year, 142 operators around the world had completed, planned to, or were in the process of shutting down 2G/3G networks in 56 countries and regions.

High operating costs and waste of spectrum resources

With the arrival of 5G, domestic operators are encountering the "four generations under one roof" of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. However, this brings not happiness but pain and pressure. Operation and maintenance costs remain high, spectrum resources are limited, sites Insufficient resources have seriously affected the development of my country's information and communications industry. gsm jammer

With the advancement of science and technology and people's requirements for communication networks, the communication speed and services provided by 2G and 3G technologies can no longer meet people's needs. The spectrum resources occupied by 2G and 3G technologies are also limited. If you continue to use 2G and 3G technologies, a lot of spectrum resources will be wasted.

The user base is large and the pace of withdrawal is slow

The number of 2G users in my country is very large. According to data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as of 2020, there are still 273 million 2G users online, accounting for 17.15% of the total users. Many of these people are elderly people in remote areas. They have less demand for smartphones and mainly make phone calls.

Ling Li, associate professor at the School of Information Science and Engineering at Fudan University, said that technological iteration is the general trend. Operators are also "disconnecting" from 2G/3G networks, but this process does not happen overnight because there are indeed many users still using 2G or 3G networks. 3G network. In addition, in addition to making phone calls, there is another application that cannot be ignored, that is, the Internet of Things system used in city management. Some of these devices also use 2G/3G networks for communication.

Can the elderly machine continue to be used?

The local operator in Guangzhou responded that the 2G network will not be available and the VoLTE function on the mobile phone needs to be activated. VoLTE is a calling service based on 4G network. If your mobile phone does not have this function, you cannot continue to use it and you need to buy a new mobile phone. Currently, it is free to upgrade a 2G mobile phone SIM card to a 4G or 5G mobile phone SIM card, and there is no need to change the plan.