Verizon will be shutting down its 2G CDMA 1X network by the last day of 2019, assuming it can get all of its subscribers who are using it switched over to LTE. The company says it will be working with subscribers who are using devices on the 2G network, and that it will delay the shutdown into 2020 if more time is needed to get everyone switched over.
Verizon's 2G CDMA 1X network is used by some of the carrier's mobile phone customers for voice calling, but Verizon is working to transition its voice calling services onto its LTE network via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology. The carrier has said that mobile users in general replace their phones every 2.5 years, so most of its CDMA 1X users ought to have VoLTE-capable phones by 2019
Still, the shutdown won’t affect too many subscribers, as more than 92-percent of its wireless users are now on the LTE network, a number that will no doubt be larger by the late 2019 shutdown date. It isn’t clear how much longer Verizon plans to keep its 3G CDMA network around.
It’s hardly the only one. AT&T announced plans in 2012 to migrate its remaining 2G customers to 4G ahead of its legacy network’s shutdown in 2016, and T-Mobile shut down MetroPCS’ legacy CDMA network last year. But companies with 2G tech face hurdles in transitioning. 3G and 4G technologies tend to be more expensive, according to Fierce Wireless. Sprint was only able to recapture 60 percent of its iDEN subscribers in the service’s twilight months
source: FierceWireless Via: slashgear
Verizon's 2G CDMA 1X network is used by some of the carrier's mobile phone customers for voice calling, but Verizon is working to transition its voice calling services onto its LTE network via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology. The carrier has said that mobile users in general replace their phones every 2.5 years, so most of its CDMA 1X users ought to have VoLTE-capable phones by 2019
Still, the shutdown won’t affect too many subscribers, as more than 92-percent of its wireless users are now on the LTE network, a number that will no doubt be larger by the late 2019 shutdown date. It isn’t clear how much longer Verizon plans to keep its 3G CDMA network around.
It’s hardly the only one. AT&T announced plans in 2012 to migrate its remaining 2G customers to 4G ahead of its legacy network’s shutdown in 2016, and T-Mobile shut down MetroPCS’ legacy CDMA network last year. But companies with 2G tech face hurdles in transitioning. 3G and 4G technologies tend to be more expensive, according to Fierce Wireless. Sprint was only able to recapture 60 percent of its iDEN subscribers in the service’s twilight months
source: FierceWireless Via: slashgear