South African mobile network operator MTN has told MyBroadband that it is reducing or removing 3G capacity in specific parts of the country.
The plan to switch off 3G networks has been in the pipeline since the communications minister at the time, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, published the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum policy in 2022.
That policy proposed sunsetting the 2G and 3G networks by 30 June 2024 and 30 March 2025, respectively. Following public consultation, the final policy was gazetted in May 2024.
However, the deadlines were extended several times, and in July 2025, the communications department scrapped formal deadlines, saying it would work with networks on their switch-off plans.
The change in strategy came after the mobile networks convinced the department that it would not be technically feasible or ideal to shut down 2G and 3G within the set timeframes.
MyBroadband asked MTN and Vodacom for details on their plans to switch off their 3G networks in South Africa.
“MTN is progressing a phased transition away from legacy network technologies, with 3G expected to be retired ahead of 2G over time,” MTN said.
It said the approach would allow the company to progressively refarm spectrum towards more efficient technologies like 4G and 5G.
This will be done while maintaining a limited 2G layer to support customers who continue to rely on legacy devices.
“Given the complexity of customer migration and device dependencies, there is no fixed national switch-off date, and the process is being carefully managed to ensure continuity of service,” MTN said.
“Targeted network optimisation activities like spectrum refarming may result in the reduction or removal of 3G capacity in specific areas where customer readiness and network conditions allow.”
It said this will be achieved through a managed, area-by-area approach, with a focus on maintaining service continuity and improving overall customer experience.
“MTN is actively executing a national migration programme, transitioning customers from legacy technologies to 4G and 5G,” the network said.
-MyBroadband