Network Sunsets, Q3 2024

Global trends, regional variations and outlook

Network sunsets are no longer a question of if but when. The advent of 5G acted as a catalyst in operators' network sunset plans, resulting in a surge in network sunsets in recent years.

Spectrum is a limited resource and the continuous evolution of technologies creates a demand for additional spectrum resources, making it critical for operators to optimise and efficiently use their existing spectrum assets. The need for additional spectrum, combined with declining traffic and higher maintenance costs of legacy networks, presents network sunsets as an attractive alternative to operators.

This quarterly series leverages GSMA Intelligence data on network sunsets to identify the key trends and understand the future. The report outlines the latest developments in network sunsets. The data provided here covers network sunsets by year, technology and region. The report also spotlights the momentum in 2G/3G network sunsets in the context of total active 2G/3G networks globally.