Phaseout of 2G, 3G networks underway

The government plans to undertake a program that would retire the legacy networks of 2G and 3G nationwide to increase the spectrum allocated for 4G and 5G users.

- By ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will modify the spectrum allocation for mobile networks starting this year, as soon as the Konektadong Pinoy Act is signed into law.

Information Secretary Henry Aguda said the DICT is wiping out 2G and 3G networks to accelerate 4G and 5G adoption among Filipinos.

Based on DICT estimates, 2G and 3G users account for only 15 percent of total mobile subscribers in the country. For Aguda, this number is low enough to warrant retirement, and even telcos themselves are phasing out their 2G and 3G services.