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Goodbye to 2G services, says Korea’s KT
25 November 2011
Korean regulator approves KT’s proposal to end 2G services with two weeks’ notice, freeing spectrum for 4G services
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The Korea Communications Commission has approved KT Corporation’s plans to close its 2G mobile service in December. The regulator has allowed the South Korean operator to end 2G services in the 1,800 megahertz band, allowing the firm to use the spectrum for 4G.
According to Yonhap News, KT plans to invest $1.1 billion in 2012 in 4G services. The operator needed 20 megahertz in the 1.8 gigahertz band to start LTE services.
The commission’s decision comes as good news for the firm, as its previous two requests over the matter had been rejected citing the vast number of 2G handset users. The operator had 1.1 million 2G mobile users in March, and after rigorous campaigns urging 2G users to upgrade to 3G phones, the number of 2G users declined to 150,000 in November.
KT has been given two weeks to notify its 2G customers about its decision, before ending the service on December 8. Users will have to subscribe to 3G mobile services or switch mobile carriers. GTB
Further reading from Global Telecoms Business:
KT to halt fixed-line investment 01 Nov 2011
KT may buy 20% in Telkom South Africa 17 Oct 2011
SK Telecom applies for spectrum licenses 29 Jul 2011
KT to launch LTE in November 29 Jun 2011
Korea's LG Uplus plans LTE by mid-2012 27 May 2011