Feature: IIOT
2G switch- off and legacy device migration
By Tim Taberner, Technical Sales Director, Advantech IIOT
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Figure 1: 2G/ PSTN dial-up call establishment sequence
ervice providers are constantly looking for ways to optimise the use of the radio spectrum. And as we move on to 5G services there will be victims: 2G and 3G are already seen as out of date and of little commercial value, hence set for withdrawal. 3G has already been withdrawn in several countries, but,
paradoxically, the earlier-generation 2G services will continue to operate there for a bit longer. Te reason for this apparent contradiction is the operational
characteristics of the two generations from a data-transmission perspective. 3G systems marked the first generation where, from a user perspective, the interface was effectively the same as for any other IP-based network, albeit slower and somewhat unreliable. Because of this, when 3G services are withdrawn, the migration to LTE or 5G will only require modem and router replacements. Tis is not the case for 2G networks, where the way connections
are established and data transferred is different, and migration to later cellular networks is therefore more complex. Due to this incompatibility, 2G networks have been kept running beyond the end date of 3G systems. Equally, in the manufacturing, energy and utilities sectors, SCADA, automation and M2M systems still rely on 2G, with a lot more years of useful service life remaining, but can’t directly access the IP-based communications mandated by newer communication protocols. Time is however rapidly running out for these services: some 2G networks have already been withdrawn, with Europe planning total
38 March 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
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