Mondli Gungubele, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has set a new date for 2G and 3G mobile networks in South Africa to be shut down.

According to a new policy document, published on 28 May 2024, government wants these “legacy” networks shut down by no later than 31 December 2027.

The “preliminary” deadline is contained in the policy document on next-generation radio frequency spectrum for economic development, which was published in the Government Gazette. (Government Gazette 507250)

According to the new plan (and its preliminary deadlines):

• ICASA must stop approving 2G- and 3G-only devices (mainly cell phones) by no later than 30 September 2024.
• Network operators, in turn, must stop activating 2G- and 3G- only devices by 31 December 2024, meaning that from January 2025, no devices that are not capable of at least connecting to a 4G/LTE network may be added to their networks.
• Network operators must then commence with a shutdown of their legacy 2G and 3G infrastructure from 1 June 2025.
• A total shutdown of 2G and 3G networks must be completed by no later than 31 December 2027.

A previous draft spectrum policy document had proposed that no new devices be licensed from mid-2023, and that a total shutdown of 2G networks would have occurred by March 2024. Those deadlines were criticised by mobile operators, which described them as being far too aggressive.

The new policy entitled “Next-generation radio frequency spectrum policy for economic development” derived its enabling principles and guidelines from the 2016 Integrated White Paper policy and the 2010 spectrum policy of South Africa and has taken into consideration written comments from the Authority (ICASA) and interested persons in accordance with the Electronic Communication Act (Act 36 of 2005. The new policy seeks to drive broader and inclusive economic participation and development for all.

The policy also clarifies the role of the Minister and ICASA which is worth taking note of.