With the rapid development, maturity and popularization of 4G and 5G network technologies, 2G and 3G networks are gradually withdrawing from the stage of history.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology made a detailed response to netizens' "suggestions on ensuring the basic communication functions of old mobile phone users, 2G and 3G network withdrawals, etc." In its response, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology emphasized that the withdrawal of 2G and 3G networks is an inevitable trend in the upgrading of mobile communication networks, and it is also a common practice in many countries in the world. However, this response also made it clear that the withdrawal from the network is not a simple "resignation", but a series of user protection measures need to be taken to fully protect the rights and interests of users before the withdrawal can be gradually implemented.
2G and 3G network withdrawal.
The "countdown" has begun
The withdrawal of 2G and 3G networks has been a matter of general concern.
Not long ago, some netizens suggested on the message board of People's Daily Online that now the country is vigorously developing 5G communication technology, and conforming to the trend of the times is a move to benefit the people and strengthen the country with science and technology. However, in the pursuit of high-tech at the same time, can we consider the actual situation in our country, there are a large number of people in China are still using old mobile phones, button mobile phones and other electronic equipment, if some national basic telecommunications operators in the name of network upgrades, illegal 2G, 3G, 4G basic communication signal base stations are closed, then it will lead to a large number of aforementioned groups of customer mobile phones can not be called**. Therefore, some netizens left a message saying that they hope that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will make overall arrangements in combination with the actual situation in China to ensure the basic communication functions of the above-mentioned groups, gradually develop new communication technologies, and retain the normal operation of basic communication functions.
In this regard, in this response, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that since June 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a 5G license, and China's 5G has been officially commercialized. China's mobile communications have entered the stage of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G "four generations in the same house", therefore, 2G and 3G withdrawal is an inevitable choice for the upgrading of mobile communication networks, and it is also the main practice in the current world.
According to incomplete statistics, more than 100 operators around the world have implemented 2G and 3G network withdrawals, and the frequencies vacated by 2G and 3G are also widely used in the deployment of 4G and 5G networks. In the view of industry insiders, the use of limited frequency resources and network resources in the development of 5G and 4G mobile communication networks is conducive to reducing network operating costs as a whole and improving China's network operation efficiencyAt the same time, at present, most of them are all-Netcom mobile phones, which need to support all six standards and more than ten frequency bands, and withdrawing from the network can also reduce the complexity of mobile phones, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of mobile phones and reducing the cost of mobile phone terminals.
Xiang Ligang, an expert in the communications industry, said in an interview with a reporter from CCTV that the main function of the current 2G network support is to play **, but the 800MHz frequency band used in 2G is a good frequency band, and the use of 5G can make the use of this frequency band more efficient. "For example, we used to build a small bungalow in this place, but now we want to remove the small bungalow and build a 20-storey building, and the land is still so large, and the use of the land is more efficient. ”
In Xiang Ligang's view, the withdrawal of 2G and 3G is a process of cleaning up the frequency and withdrawing from the network, with the aim of promoting the efficient use of spectrum.
Removal from the network. Step-by-step is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach
It is worth mentioning that the withdrawal of 2G and 3G networks is a trend, but it does not mean "one size fits all".
Fu Liang, an independent telecom analyst, said in an interview that 2G and 3G withdrawal from the network is the general trend, but in the process of promotion, how to make a smooth transition for some users who still use old mobile phones, first of all, it is necessary to inform the operator, and the operator should clearly inform the user of the "timetable" for the withdrawal of the network, and at the same time, there must be a channel to continue to provide services to users.
For example, in some places in the past, operators provided a way to purchase contracts** to send entry-level 4G mobile phones, and encouraged 2G and 3G users to withdraw from the network. Fu Liang said, "Whether users use 2G, 3G networks, 4G, 5G networks, depends on the terminal. If the user is using an elderly machine and does not support 4G and 5G networks, even in areas with network coverage, it cannot access 4G and 5G networks, so the above method is an option to guide users to transition. ”
In response to the above concerns, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also pointed out in this response that the withdrawal of mobile communications from the network is not simply "retreating", but needs to improve user protection measures, and can only be implemented under the premise of fully protecting the rights and interests of users. Among them, enterprises should plan and inform as early as possible, and must have user protection measures and perfect user aftercare plans, and have the ability to provide better network coverage, stronger business capabilities and better service quality, so as to create conditions for users to be "willing to retreat" and "willing to retreat".
As for the next step, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also said in its reply that considering that the mobile communication network withdrawal involves many users and has a large social impact, it is necessary to make overall plans and reasonable promotion, give full play to the decisive role of the market, and strengthen the main responsibility of enterprises. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will also promote and do a good job in protecting the rights and interests of users in accordance with laws and regulations.
2G, 3G network.
There is a "law" to follow for withdrawing from the network.
As early as October 2019, Wen Ku, then director of the Information and Communication Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at the press conference of the State Council Information Office that the conditions for the withdrawal of 2G and 3G from China's mobile communication networks have gradually matured, and operators are encouraged to actively guide users to migrate to the network.
What users really want is not the Internet, but services. Wenku said that there must be a better service plan to replace the original service plan, to provide faster, richer, more convenient broadband services, for users to be willing to retire, willing to return to create good conditions. He said, "The mobile network withdrawal of the operating enterprise should be planned and informed as early as possible, so that the users and the operating enterprise themselves have sufficient time and psychological preparation to promote the process of network withdrawal." ”
In September 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology pointed out in its reply to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) that since 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has successively allowed all basic telecommunications operators to use the licensed 2G and 3G frequency recultivation for 4G systems, and has completed the recultivation of all 2G and 3G system frequency resources. From the perspective of protecting the rights and interests of users, it is necessary to improve user protection measures and fully protect the rights and interests of users before the network withdrawal can be implemented. The "Telecommunications Regulations", "Telecommunications Service Specifications", "Measures for the Administration of Telecommunications Business Licenses", etc., have clear provisions on the termination of operations, guarantee services, and cancellation of licenses, requiring basic telecommunications enterprises to stop operating 2G services 30 days in advance to notify the users involved, and properly do a good job in the aftermath of users, on this basis, the basic telecommunications enterprises shall apply to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for cancellation of licenses, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will review and approve them in accordance with the procedures.
In addition, the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Information and Communication Industry" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in November 2021 also clearly stated that the withdrawal of 2G and 3G networks should be accelerated, the coordinated development of 4G and 5G networks should be coordinated, and the withdrawal of 2G and 3G networks should be included in the key work of network infrastructure construction during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. In this context, in August this year (2023), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) approved China Telecom to reuse the 800MHz frequency band frequency of the existing network for 2G 3G 4G systems for 5G public mobile communication systems.
However, in August this year, there were consumer complaints that the mobile phone that was originally in normal use was restricted from normal use due to the telecom company's closure of the 2G base station, and was required to upgrade**, and even communicated with the telecom company many times to no avail, which also triggered heated discussions on the Internet at that time.
According to the report of "Economy**" at the time, the relevant person in charge of China Telecom Guangdong Company said that in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Information and Communication Industry", China Telecom Guangdong Company actively deploys a new generation of communication network infrastructure and promotes the construction of 5G networks, and is currently carrying out network upgrades throughout the province. For the situation that mobile phones or children's mobile phones that only support 2G network after the upgrade cannot be used, China Telecom Guangdong Company said that it will provide a plan to provide preferential subsidies for pre-stored phone bills of different grades according to customer needs. Text: Liu Yang.
*: Beijing Evening News.