Multi-operators start network frequency reduction
For the 2G network frequency reduction, the reporter consulted the three major operators. China Unicom said that 2G network frequency reduction can not be called to close the 2G network, because the user is still on the 2G network, there is only a gradual reduction in frequency and weight-loss process.
According to industry insiders who declined to be named, 2G gradual frequency reduction is actually 2G gradual withdrawal of network. 2G base station completely disappeared means 2G completely withdraws from the network; Currently, the three major operators are still 2G, 3G, 4G network coexistence. One of the states.
A person familiar with China Mobile said that China Mobile has no 2G withdrawal plan. As of press time, China Telecom has not replied yet.
However, an independent telecommunications analyst, Fu Liang, said in an interview with the China Newcom reporter that, in fact, the three major operators are doing network frequency reduction work, and China Unicom is still the latest. Among them, China Mobile is doing 3G network frequency reduction. .
Will consumers be affected?
According to statistics released by China Unicom, by the end of February, China Unicom subscribers were 289 million, of which 477 million were 4G subscribers. According to sources, 2G users of China Unicom account for about 2% of their total subscribers, which means that China Unicom has more than 500 million 2G users.
Will these users be affected by the frequency reduction of 2G networks? China Unicom said it will adopt a variety of preferential measures such as free exchange of mobile phone cards, gifted flow of experience, discounted purchases, etc. to help existing 2G customers upgrade to 4G networks. , Existing 2G customer service is not affected at all.
Xiang Ligang, a communications industry expert, believes that China Unicom's 2G network frequency reduction is not affected by the vast majority of consumers.
Fu Liang believes that it is impossible for 2G users to have no influence at all. It can only be said that the impact is minor. After frequency reduction, some areas may have insufficient 2G network coverage, 'but frequency reduction does not mean that 2G networks cannot be used. Because there are still 2G base stations there. '
The reporter noted that although the 4G era is now, 2G or 3G networks still play a role. When users accepted an interview with the China New Network reporter, they said, 'I still feel that the 2G network is better because some places have no 4G network coverage. At the local time, the mobile phone will automatically switch to 3G or 2G network. There is also a connection process to use it, or it will be disconnected.
Why do you want to reduce the frequency of the network?
Since there are still users, why do 2G network frequency reduction?
Advertising Fu Liang said that the original 2G network occupied some frequency bands, and some bands were scarce. It can be said to be a valuable resource. After re-use, it can be used in the construction of 4G networks, which will help improve network quality and wide-area network coverage.
China Unicom also stated that bandwidth resources are available for higher 4G networks and deployment.
'In addition, with the reduction of 2G and 3G users, their network capacity is more and more abundant, and the investment in operation and maintenance of their base stations and facilities is becoming increasingly uneconomical. This is another reason.' Fu Liang said.
This statement is true, the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that as of the end of February, the three major operators had 1.44 billion mobile phone users, of which the total number of 4G users reached 1.03 billion, and 4G users accounted for 71.6% of mobile phone users.
However, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as of the end of February, the total number of mobile broadband users (ie 3G and 4G users) reached 1.17 billion. This means that there are still 270 million 2G users. This is still a huge number.
In view of this, Fu Liang believes that the three major operators are currently unable to shut down the 2G network at once. Network frequency reduction is a gradual process, and 2G users do not have to worry too much.
'It is also worth pointing out that if 2G users use devices that support WCDMA, even if China Unicom shuts down 2G networks, it will still have no impact on them.' Fu Liang said.