Eswatini Announces Final Shutdown of 2G and 3G Technologies

ESCCOM has published its final decision on the phasing out of legacy 2G and 3G mobile technologies in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

This measure aims to modernize the national telecommunications infrastructure and ensure that the population has faster, more reliable, and higher-quality communications services, in line with international trends and the government's national development vision.

The decision was made following a public consultation process launched in November 2024, during which diverse opinions and comments from stakeholders were received. Most participants agreed with the need for modernization but expressed concerns primarily about the initially proposed timelines. The industry requested more time to adapt to the transition, highlighting the importance of allowing the device market to evolve and allowing users to seamlessly migrate to more modern technologies.

WHOM DOES IT IMPACT?

The direct impact is felt by end users, telecommunications operators, mobile device manufacturers and distributors, sectors that depend on basic mobile communications, government, and public service agencies.

CONCLUSION:

The combination of massive reach, mandatory nature, required technological investment, and direct impact on vulnerable sectors justifies classifying this measure as high impact.