In the U.S., critical shutdown dates for 2G/3G cellular networks have passed or are rapidly approaching. New generations of cellular technology are coming online, and network operators are reclaiming and repurposing this spectrum. Fortunately, however, since these next-generation networks are more efficient, more data can be transmitted over the same bandwidth of spectrum at higher speeds.
As cellular carriers move away from legacy networks and customers delay upgrades, this 2G/3G sunset represents a significant transition for many companies. 2G and 3G networks remain the most-used technologies for IoT devices, and the widespread rollout of 5G for commercial and industrial applications could take five to 10 years. That’s why it’s time to create an action plan for network migration to LTE, which will not just be a stopgap but a foundation of IoT communication — even well into the 5G era.