Reliance Jio has strongly appealed to the government for a defined policy and timeline to switch off 2G and 3G networks nationwide in response to a TRAI consultation paper on driving 5G adoption. Jio believes shutting older networks will lower infrastructure costs and enable seamless customer migration to advanced 4G and 5G mobile data services.
Its suggestions align with TRAI’s wider objectives around establishing effective policies accelerating next-gen technology propagation for India’s digital transformation. Jio emphasized that 5G’s transformational capabilities would unlock innovation across sectors and businesses.
Vodafone Highlights 2G Usage Among Lower Income Groups
However, Vodafone Idea warned against such proposals stating significant populations including poorer sections still depend heavily on highly affordable 2G networks for connectivity. Citing high costs of 5G smartphones and services, it said access barriers remain for such groups constraining uptake of the latest standards.
So Vodafone does not favor closing 2G/3G infrastructure where penetration of advanced mobile technology and supporting devices remains restricted. It urges policymakers consider ground realities around digital access limitations and affordability issues facing citizens.
