Spectrum refarming: 2G/3G sunset

Freeing Spectrum by Sunsetting Legacy Networks

Spectrum refarming reclaims frequencies from 2G (GSM) and 3G (UMTS/WCDMA) networks for reuse by 4G LTE or 5G NR. As 2G/3G traffic declines (below 5% in most developed markets), maintaining these legacy networks wastes valuable spectrum that could boost LTE/NR capacity. The refarming process involves migrating remaining 2G/3G users to 4G devices, ensuring IoT/M2M devices using 2G have migration paths (NB-IoT or LTE-M), and gradually reducing 2G/3G carrier count before full shutdown. Key spectrum bands being refarmed: 900 MHz (GSM → LTE/NR), 1800 MHz (GSM → LTE), 2100 MHz (UMTS → NR).