Decommissioning of legacy mobile networks

Plum carried out a study for an Asia-based telecommunications operator to consider the merits of phasing out of 2G or 3G mobile services. As the demand for spectrum to support 4G services grows, the phasing out of 2G or 3G can help ensure that the most efficient technology is used to deliver services and the cost base of a mobile network business is optimised.

The study examined the options for the decommissioning of legacy networks, and the key issues that need to be addressed to achieve this. As part of the work Plum conducted a survey of international experiences on network shutdown and assessed the role of the telecoms regulator in this process. Plum’s final report also set out a framework for quantifying the costs and benefits of decommissioning legacy networks from the perspective of a mobile network operator.