It has been known for a long time, 4-5 years, that both 2G and 3G networks will be shut down. This is the telecom operators' main defense against criticism, as they have had time to prepare.
And sometimes you have to take care of this, says Ove Wik, acting technical director at Tele2.
Otherwise, it will be difficult to free up capacity for the more modern 4G and 5G networks. Then, instead, there will be criticism for that, according to the telecom operator.
Then we will have to give up both quality, capacity, and technology, he says.
"Not entirely easy"
But this will cause problems. Many households have remotely controlled devices that rely on the 2G network, often without knowing it. This can be about the car, the air heat pump at the summer cottage, or the robot lawn mower. Without a network, nothing will happen.
Then you have to contact the supplier or read on the website if they have that type of information, says Ove Wik.
There may be upgrade packages to buy or that the hardware is replaced. But it can be difficult to know.
So it's not entirely easy, I agree with that, says Ove Wik.
Telia has, after pressure, decided to postpone the shutdown until 2027. But it's not particularly easy to know which operator the device is connected to, notes Ove Wik.
"There is preparedness"
Alarm companies that rely on the older technology and municipalities that use 2G systems, for example, to remotely control water facilities and alarms for safety housing, have wanted to postpone the technology shift.
Emma Ström, who is a strategist in digital infrastructure at SKR:
"Generally, there is a preparedness for the technology shift in the municipalities. Safety alarms are an example, but a large part is about technology that exists within the property sector or water and sewage operations, such as elevator alarms or sensors", writes Emma Ström, who is a strategist in digital infrastructure at the municipal sector's interest organization SKR, in a comment to TT.
"Fraud"
Despite the knowledge of the soon-to-be-shut-down 2G and 3G networks, there are companies that still sell new devices with the old technology today.
Plainly, you can call it fraud. You sell a product that cannot be used in one or two years, says Mats Larsson, telecom expert and chairman of the association Critical Communication Sweden, to Sveriges Radio.
Ove Wik largely agrees.
It's roughly like selling 2G phones.
