Regulatory Compliance News

Retire Legacy Mobile Network Technologies (2G and 3G) in the Kingdom of Eswatini

The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has issued its final decision to retire the country’s legacy 2G and 3G mobile network technologies in a staged process aimed at modernising the Kingdom’s telecommunications infrastructure. The move, announced under General Notice No. 5 of 2025, is intended to deliver faster, more reliable, and higher-quality communication services, in line with global technological trends and the government’s vision for national development.

According to ESCCOM, the telecommunications sector plays a central role in supporting the economy and enabling the delivery of public services, education, and healthcare. In Eswatini, reliable and forward-looking communications infrastructure is seen as a critical enabler for addressing national challenges, including low economic growth, poor service delivery, and the need for greater digital inclusion. The decision to phase out older mobile technologies follows a public consultation process that began in November 2024, during which the regulator received submissions from a wide range of stakeholders.

While many stakeholders supported the proposal, some expressed concerns over the pace of the transition, requesting additional time to adapt. Others suggested allowing the market to lead the process rather than relying on regulatory directives. Some argued for retiring 3G before 2G, a sequence followed in certain markets, while others stressed that large sections of the population still depend on 2G services, especially for mobile financial transactions.

In its final decision, ESCCOM explained that market analysis and traffic patterns justified shutting down the 2G network before the 3G network. The data showed that around 75 percent of voice traffic is carried over 3G, meaning that retiring 2G first would minimise disruption to consumers. The regulator also pointed out that smartphone penetration in Eswatini is already about 80 percent and continues to grow, suggesting that dependency on 2G technology for basic services will diminish further in the coming years.

To accommodate the concerns raised during consultations, ESCCOM extended the proposed timelines by two years. Under the new schedule, the importation and type approval of 2G-only and 3G-only devices will be banned from 30 November 2025. All 2G networks will be decommissioned on 31 December 2028, followed by the shutdown of all 3G networks on 31 December 2030.

The Commission emphasised that these staggered timelines are intended to give the device market time to adapt while allowing consumers and businesses to transition smoothly to more advanced technologies. ESCCOM will continue to monitor developments in the sector and may review aspects of the decision if necessary. Chief Executive Mvilawemphi Dlamini said the move is expected to improve operational efficiency for service providers while delivering better-quality services to consumers, ultimately contributing to the nation’s social and economic development.