Slovakia shuts down 3G networks, creates space for 5G development [Advocacy Lab Content]

6 months ago 25

The last Slovak mobile operator, O2, began switching off its 3G network at the beginning of the year. Regular customers with mobile phones will not be restricted, but older devices such as sensors or cameras that communicate via 3G may have a problem.

The first mobile operator that started switching off 3G networks in Slovakia was Telekom, in October and November last year. Orange has also joined in, ending 3G operations at the end of 2023. The last operator with its 3G network, O2, started the process in January 2024 and plans to finish it in two years.

The use of 3G is declining worldwide, due to the advantages of later generations of mobile networks. According to the GlobalComms Database, which covers more than 200 countries and territories, by mid-2022 only about ten per cent of registered mobile users were on 3G.

The first country to completely switch it off was Taiwan at the end of 2018. In 2021, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Norway did it, followed by the Netherlands a year later. Operators in Denmark, Greece, Hungary, and Sweden launched the switch-off last year, 3G is no longer used by any of the big three mobile networks in the United States.

Why 3G is disappearing

Maintaining 3G is usually not efficient for the operators. When this generation started to be employed at the beginning of the millennium, expectations were high. Operators have paid huge sums at auctions for the respective frequencies in some countries.

However, the technical parameters fell short of expectations. The data speed increased only gradually, and in less than ten years, new generations began to compete – first 4G, after 2017 also 5G – with much better data transmission. 3G is also less energy efficient.

As the majority of users gradually switch to new phones with new SIM cards, it is not economical to maintain old networks. The released frequencies can be used to improve 4G and 5G networks.

What this means for users

Users who have old phones with 2G/3G SIM cards may have problems – they could lose access to data services. However, there are few of them, and operators try to reach them and offer a free SIM card exchange. Voice and SMS services can be still used even with the old card.

The change could affect hardware that uses 3G for online connection – such as sensors, cameras, or alarms. They should still be able to use the 2G network, but the data transfer will be slower, which may affect the device’s functionality (e.g. online cameras).

The advent of 5G

Shutting down legacy networks will help free up capacity and resources for a faster 5G rollout. They play a key role in building a stable and efficient digital infrastructure. The EU’s goal is to have a 5G network in all urban areas and along main traffic routes by the end of 2025, and all populated areas should be covered by it by the end of 2030.

Thanks to the high speed and reliability of data transmission, 5G also enables better connection of devices and the development of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Slovakia lags in building the fifth-generation network. Last year’s Digital Decade Report states that the country should speed up the development of 5G. In 2022, it covered 55 per cent of inhabited areas, the Union average was 81 per cent.

The more rapid development of the fifth generation took place last year. By the end of the year, mobile operators reported coverage of almost 70 per cent of the population. The current Npfer map shows that the coverage is mainly concentrated in cities and around the main traffic routes – highways and speedways.

However, the connection of traffic corridors is not complete and there are large white spots in the middle of southern Slovakia and the northeast.

[By Radovan Geist I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]