The Office of the Communications Authority announced today (11th) that it has approved SmarTone Telecommunications Limited (SmarTone) to fully terminate the provision of second-generation mobile (2G) services starting from October 14th this year.
SmarTone said that since customers using 2G mobile phones or devices only account for less than 1% of the total, and the usage of mobile data has risen sharply in recent years, it will reallocate spectrum resources to promote the development of 5G networks.
SmarTone emphasized that since the beginning of last year, it has started to assist affected customers to upgrade their mobile phones or devices, and will also provide appropriate arrangements for customers who have no plans to upgrade.
The CA has approved SmarTone to completely terminate the provision of second-generation mobile (2G) services from October 14 this year.
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The CA reviewed and approved the application in accordance with Clause 10.4 of SmarTone's UCL Special Conditions. The CA stated that it had considered various relevant factors, including that SmarTone currently does not provide any 2G service plans to new and existing customers, which is subject to the termination of the application. Customers affected by 2G services, i.e. customers still using 2G mobile phones or devices, the proportion of customers connected to SmarTone network is extremely low, and SmarTone has provided preferential plans for affected customers to upgrade their 2G mobile phones or devices, or choose not to Customers who upgrade their 2G handsets or devices, provide termination arrangements and give affected customers adequate notice.
In addition, when approving the application, the CA also requires SmarTone to maintain satisfactory 2G network coverage before the relevant network is shut down.
SmarTone can reallocate the spectrum vacated after the termination of 2G services to provide newer generation mobile services, allowing its customers to enjoy more advanced mobile services, bringing greater network capacity and better features.
SmarTone said that since customers using 2G mobile phones or devices only account for less than 1% of the total, and the usage of mobile data has risen sharply in recent years, it will reallocate spectrum resources to promote the development of 5G networks.
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SmarTone: 2G service will be terminated on October 14
SmarTone issued a press release today stating that it will terminate its 2G service on October 14 this year.
SmarTone said that in response to the surge in mobile data usage in recent years and the decline in market demand for 2G services, SmarTone will effectively redeploy the spectrum resources of the 2G network to promote the development of the 5G network.
According to SmarTone, as of April this year, SmarTone's customers using 2G mobile phones or devices only accounted for less than 0.1% of the total number of customers.
Since the beginning of last year, we have started to assist affected customers to upgrade their 2G mobile phones or devices to mobile phones or devices that can support higher-generation mobile communication networks. We have also cooperated with corporate customers who are currently using 2G devices to ensure a smooth transition to 4G or 5G service.
The spokesman continued that it will continue to assist affected customers to upgrade their mobile phones or devices to enjoy 4G or 5G services, and provide appropriate arrangements for customers who do not plan to upgrade.
For customer enquiries, please call: 2880 2688.
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