Like it or hate it. Progress is unstoppable. Like the disconnection from analogue to digital. The telecom companies need to free up their phone towers for new faster speed technologies. The only way to do this is to move the technology forward to 3G and 4G.
DISCONNECTION OF 2G – GSM NETWORK
Telstra and other leading telecom companies around the world such as AT&T etc., are planning to disconnect their GSM / 2G network this year.
For Australia Telstra will disconnect their GSM / 2G network on 1st Dec 2016. Optus will disconnect their GSM / 2G network a few months after that. Vodafone will also move soon.
HERE ARE SOME USEFUL FACTS HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE 2G, 3G AND 4G TECHNOLOGIES:
Telstra works on: GSM 900/GSM 1800/UMTS 850/UMTS 2100/LTE 1800/LTE 2600/LTE 700 – [MMC code 50501]
Optus works on : GSM 900/GSM 1800/UMTS 900/UMTS 2100/LTE 1800/LTE-TDD 2300 – [MMC code 50502]
Vodafone works on : GSM 900/GSM 1800/UMTS 850/UMTS 900/UMTS 2100/LTE 1800 – [MMC code 50503 ]
2G GSM technology: GSM 900/GSM 1800
GSM 1800 MHz disconnected in 2011
GSM 900 MHz will disconnect on 1st Dec 2016
3G technology: UMTS 850/UMTS 2100
4G technology: LTE 1800/LTE 2600/LTE 700
IMPORTANT: [ GPS TRACKERS USING QUAD BAND / GPRS ETC. WITH GSM FREQUENCY { QUAD BAND (850/900/1800/1900 MHZ) } TO BE DISCONNECTED ON 1ST DEC 2016.] IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO UPGRADE THE TRACKERS. THE TRACKERS NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY CHANGED TO 3G AND 4G PRODUCTS.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If you are using a smart phone nothing happens as you’re already on a 3G and 4G network. If you are using an old Nokia phone then you need to purchase a new phone by the end of this year.
If you are using modems, this the problem. Modem suppliers were still working with the 2G – GSM network without thinking GSM will be disconnected. The introduction of 3G modems only happened around 1 year ago. If you purchased modems or equipment that is older than 1 year, you will find they will stop working from 1st Dec 2016.
This problem does not affect just one supplier of modems but all suppliers of modems. Security companies, IT companies and GPS tracking companies are now in a situation of having to inform their clients to purchase new compatible equipment otherwise their service will stop from December 2016.
