The pending shutdown of the 2G and 3G networks (gazetted for 31 Dec 2027) signals the end of a communications era which began in 1994.
The technology will have seen an entire generation enjoy a level of internet connectivity for 33 years by the time it is officially shut down.
It is common knowledge that the likelihood of service providers throwing a proverbial switch on 31 December 2027, having fully maintained the 2G and 3G networks up until that point, is extremely unlikely.
What is likely to happen during this sunset period, especially on the back of already near-obsolescence of 2G network equipment, is for the availability of the connectivity mediums to begin to reduce between now and the shutdown date.
As aging infrastructure fails, it is reasonable to assume that it will become decommissioned, leaving existing infrastructure to carry the data traffic load. This translates to less availability. As a supplier of hardware to the communications industry, Otto Wireless Solutions is already seeing this happening not only in South Africa, but indeed across all African countries.
However one looks at this, by 31 Dec 2027, and most likely before then, customers with active 2G and 3G infrastructure are going to be forced to replace equipment.
The common South African culture of leaving things to the last minute may in some cases cause massive cash flow issues during 2027.
As from today, there are <800 working days between now, and the shutdown date. In short, this means that if a customer has only 1,000 devices in the field which need replacing, assuming a replacement device is on hand, the replacement rate is already more than one every working day between now and shutdown.
The table below, based on an average of 22 working days per month, highlights the field replacement rate which customers are facing, based on the number of devices which that will need to replace and upgrade to 4G (or higher) in order to continue to provide connectivity services.
Most of the large corporate clients began their 4G transition 2-3 years ago and are well underway with their field replacement strategies, however, and at the risk of generalising, it is the small, medium and medium-large business sector which has predominantly only started considering the timeframes now, towards the end of 2024.
In order to assist router users with this transition, Otto Wireless Solutions has, in collaboration with Wlink, launched the “Bring out your (Nearly) Dead” campaign, an innovative and aggressively priced campaign to give existing Wlink customers a cost effective upgrade option, as well as encouraging customers who use competitive devices to switch to Wlink, the trusted brand of industrial LTE routers used extensively across the country.
So how does the campaign work?
The campaign has 3 approaches:
- Existing Wlink customers can bring in their “nearly dead” 3G Wlink routers for upgrade. Depending on the model, there are up to 3 components which may need to be replaced, in order to bring the model up to the equivalent 4G model. The router is tested on receipt, and then fully tested again after upgrade. The cost of all 3 components is significantly cheaper than the cost of a new router. When issuing the upgraded router back to the client, a 3 month warranty is provided, irrespective of the age of the router.
- For completely new clients, the WL-R230LAD router (which is a DIN rail mount devices, incorporating 4G connectivity, 2.4GHz WiFi, Dual SIM, 3 Ethernet ports, 3 x I/O, RS232, USB) has been made available at the rock bottom price of R2,800 excluding VAT (R3,220 including VAT). This includes the DIN Rail clips, basic antennas, power supply and all interface cables. This impressive device was recently unboxed by MyBroadband:
- The last option is where it gets exciting. Simply put, “Bring out your (nearly) dead” 3G router (any brand, working or not), hand it in at Otto Wireless Solutions when purchasing a new WL-R230LAD router, and the already aggressive price of the Wlink device will be further discounted by another R400 excluding VAT to R2,400 excluding VAT (R2,760 including VAT). This option leaves no doubt that Otto Wireless Solutions and Wlink are serious about moving customers to their brand and are willing to do so aggressively.
Click here to purchase the Wlink WL-R230LAD Router
The campaign has already begun, and exiting customers are already enjoying the support and cost effective upgrade option for their existing routers.
The longer customers wait, the bigger the field replacement task will be, as there it no getting away from the fact that the 2G and 3G networks are shutting down.
The timing and aggressive pricing of this campaign opens the door to any customers to make the move to this prestigious and well supported industrial LTE router brand, without it costing "an arm and a leg".
Please note that all pricing subject to change without prior notice and/or availability.
For current up to date pricing, kindly view price as listed on the Otto Wireless Solutions website.