UK government to phase out 2G and 3G mobile networks by 2033

Britain said on the 8th that it will gradually phase out 2G and 3G mobile networks by 2033, freeing up radio waves for 5G and eventually 6G services to power technologies such as driverless cars, drones and virtual reality.

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The government said all four UK broadcasters - EE (BT.L), Vodafone (VOD.L), O2 (TEF.MC) and Three (0215.HK) - had agreed to the timetable.

The government said setting end dates for 2G and 3G services would make it easier for new equipment makers to enter the market because they would not have to support legacy technology.

Huawei is backing the development of open radio access networks (RAN) technology as it looks to end its reliance on a handful of suppliers after China’s Huawei was banned from new networks last year.

Nadine Dorries, the Digital Secretary General who is visiting the United States, announced on the 8th that an additional £50 million (US$66.2 million) will be provided for the Open RAN project.