2G switch-off raises concerns surrounding essential systems unknowingly being impacted

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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South African 2G switch-off warning

South Africa has started the process of switching off its legacy cellular networks, beginning by blocking the sale of new 2G and 3G devices this year.

While sunsetting older cellular technologies will free up valuable network resources, some concerns remain that the switch-off could unknowingly impact essential systems.
 
I was wondering how many IOT devices are going to fall off the bus when 2G/3G gets turned off...
 
"there could be old sensors or other machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems that only wake up every few months or even years to conserve battery power."

No worries.

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neoprema said:
I was wondering how many IOT devices are going to fall off the bus when 2G/3G gets turned off...
Click to expand...

No one ever made omelletes without breaking eggs. If you are so negligent, that you don't know what and where your devices are, and what technology they are supported by. Then you deserve every problem you suffer as a result.

If you forgot about it, then you probably did not need it in the first place.
 
Some devices can not be upgraded unless if you replace them completely. My CPAP machine has a built-in 2G modem linked to the MTN network. It sends daily stats on my sleep patterns in order for the physicians to adjust the settings as needed. It does not have a physical SIM card or removable modem that you can just change or upgrade. To replace the CPAP machine costs around, R16000. Not everybody has the means to replace their devices on the whim.
 
IamNoone said:
Not everybody has the means to replace their devices on the whim.
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This is not on a whim. They are warning us it is coming. It will be phased and not happen overnight. You have time to start saving little by little for a new one. I know it is lot of money, but the networks are moving on and will put the 2G and 3G spectrum to better use. Cant keep old networks running and maintaining them for some IOT devices that their managers forgot where they are or machines that monitors someone sleep patterns.
 
IamNoone said:
Some devices can not be upgraded unless if you replace them completely. My CPAP machine has a built-in 2G modem linked to the MTN network. It sends daily stats on my sleep patterns in order for the physicians to adjust the settings as needed. It does not have a physical SIM card or removable modem that you can just change or upgrade. To replace the CPAP machine costs around, R16000. Not everybody has the means to replace their devices on the whim.
Click to expand...

Not on a whim, and there is probably a intermeditary gateway device, that it can talk to and that forwards data on to your doctors. Cheaper than buying a new device. You have time to look into it, if you don't, don't cry when it stops working.

Not going to say anything about communcation devices that are not built as a plug in module, that can be swapped out.
 
Our complexes accentronix intercom system has had to get a GSM module upgrade ,blamed on 2G
 
Now I need to find LTE enabled mini phone like L8STAR BM10. The one available currently is GSM only.
 
IamNoone said:
My CPAP machine has a built-in 2G modem linked to the MTN network. It sends daily stats on my sleep patterns in order for the physicians to adjust the settings as needed.
Click to expand...

You lucky bastard!

You'll get what most people can only dream of:

Dying in their sleep.
 
Had to happen long time ago, but as per usual our useless ANC government don't believe in deadlines. Probably going to miss the 2027 deadline as well. Year 2035 is the year not because they actually made the deadline but technology has involved so much that no phone or device will be released with only 2G / 3G by that time.
 
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