DIGITAL LIFE

UK wants to ban cell phone with keys

In the coming years, the UK plans to disable second and third generation (2G and 3G) cellular networks to free up radio frequencies for fifth and sixth generation communications capable of supporting unmanned vehicles, drones and virtual reality systems, as well as all. the types of IoT devices. This will lead to the fact that many cell phones cannot be used as a means of communication.

All four UK mobile operators – EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three – have already agreed on appropriate outage times, according to the government. This means that islanders will soon no longer be able to use push-button phones, few of which are compatible with 4G, while most are using 3G and older technologies.

In July, British Telecom, which owns the operator EE, announced the decommissioning of 3G in early 2023, and later the 2G network, which has been operating for more than 25 years, will also be disconnected. A complete elimination of 2G and 3G cellular communications is planned to take place by 2033.

According to the authorities, knowing the date of closure of the second and third generation networks will allow new equipment manufacturers to enter the market more easily, since their electronics will not be required to support outdated technologies. The government hopes to avoid dependence on some providers — after China's Huawei was banned from participating in the creation of new cellular networks last year for reasons of national security.

AVnews