3G’s Sunset: A Product Designer’s Guide to Future‑Proof Connectivity

Dunstan Power of ByteSnap Design
Whether you’re launching a new Internet of Things (IoT) device or grappling with the imminent 3G shutdown, this is a pivotal moment for wireless connectivity.

Vodafone has confirmed it will phase out 3G services within the next two to three years, and other UK operators are expected to follow. Meanwhile, Orange’s head of Technical Strategy, Ronan Le Bras, insists that 2G will remain relevant for certain use cases well into the 5G era.

Globally, the same pressures are creating a patchwork landscape. Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission recently approved a plan to shut down 2G services for AIS, DTAC, and True by the end of October 2019. In South Africa, Telkom is on the cusp of discontinuing its 2G network to focus on 3G and 4G/LTE.

Operators aim to free up spectrum by decommissioning older, less profitable networks, but the order—whether 2G or 3G goes first—depends on local market conditions, creating significant uncertainty for product designers. With 2G/3G GPRS networks on the brink, designers must consider migration strategies now.

Current Reliance Issues

GPRS remains indispensable for low‑data‑rate IoT and M2M applications. Its affordability, proven reliability, and robust hand‑off capabilities have made it the de facto standard for wide‑area connectivity in this segment. Although 4G modems exist, cost and power consumption have limited their widespread adoption.

The Future Beckons

Emerging standards such as LTE‑M (Cat‑M1) and NB‑IoT (LTE CatNB1) are poised to replace GPRS, alongside complementary technologies like Sigfox and LoRa. However, the optimal coverage mix varies dramatically by region, making the best choice for designers far from obvious. For a comprehensive global overview, see the “How Cellular IoT is Taking Over the World” article.

How Can Designers Cope?

One practical approach involves using dual‑mode modems that can fall back to 2G from Cat‑M1 or NB‑IoT. While these modules—such as the Telit ME310 and uBlox SARA—may carry a short‑term premium, they are pin‑compatible with existing designs, eliminating the need for PCB redesign.

A Unified Future

IoT and M2M companies must plan for the migration from 2G to 5G. Selecting modems with long‑term viability is essential. The next 12–18 months represent a challenging yet brief transition period; by late 2020, standards and coverage should mature enough to enable simpler, cost‑effective solutions without 2G fallback.

Conclusion

Flexibility is key. Opting for a modem that supports both GPRS and a new LTE standard may increase upfront cost, but it ensures continued device functionality beyond the 3G era—and potentially beyond LTE when 5G arrives in the next decade.

The author is Dunstan Power, director at ByteSnap Design.