2G network outage in Chile: what is it and when will it start

The end of 2G in Chili is getting closer, after Entel announced that it would gradually deactivate this technology in order to focus on 4G and 5G networks.

For many years, the presence of 2G It has enabled great advances in the world of telecommunications: it has enabled calls between mobile phones and the exchange of text messages (SMS). It also became the first digital mobile network.

According to Telecommunications Undersecretariat (Subtel) , until 2012 it was predominant in mobile networks, but with technological change this panorama has changed and become obsolete. Actually, Today, 2G represents less than 1% of Entel’s mobile connections.

The company specifies that the breakdown of the second generation network will allow more efficient use of the radio spectrum and minimize the impact on the environment, since older technologies consume much more energy than newer ones.

Although the end of 2G was announced in July 2023, the process will begin in the second half of this year, i.e. starting next month.

The telecommunications company reiterated that this is a measure that will be applied gradually, in order to avoid communication problems.

Here are the dates the outage will occur in each region:

• July 2024: Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta and Atacama.
• August 2024: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana, Aysén and Magallanes.
• September 2024: Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos.
• October 2024: O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble and Bío Bío.

Once this date arrives in each area, mobile devices operating only with the 2G network will no longer be able to connect.

Note that there is a support plan for those who could be affected by the change, “in order to facilitate this transition and guarantee that it takes place with the least possible impact for everyone”, notes the company .

One of the axes of this plan consists of free replacement of phones currently equipped with 2G . In this benefit, priority is given to the company’s customer users (both prepaid and subscription), aged over 70 and residing in rural areas.

Some sectors of the country will not be affected by the end of 2G, as they do not have another network. “It will not be disabled in areas where there are no other networks available, but only in those where more modern networks are within reach” they explain in the company.

Claudio Araya, Undersecretary of Telecommunications, reiterated that this process “must include everyone” and that the idea is that older people “do not lose connectivity” in the event of a power outage. “As Subtel, we will continue to ensure that technology replacement processes are developed by integrating everyone,” he added.

To find out in which locations the 2G network will continue to operate, Click here and search based on the region of interest.