Three local mobile network providers can officially stop providing their 2G network service from August 1, based on amendments made to each telecoms’ licence, a statement from Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) said yesterday.
The statement said that as 4G is the mainstream in mobile telecom service around the world and 5G era is coming, Macau is also following the international development with 93 percent of telecom services users on the 4G network, and there have been no new subscribers to the 2G network in recent years.
“In view of this, operators have in recent years been asking the government to allow them to stop providing the 2G network and service so that they could streamline resources for other development,” the statement said, adding that the government has reviewed the situation and believes that it was now time to withdraw the 2G network from Macau’s market, which was in line with international trends.
A pedestrian checks his mobile phone at the Barrier Gate yesterday. Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng