The fifth generation of networks is already a reality in Mexico with the launch of 5G mobile services by Telcel and AT&T, whose technology will not only allow faster data transmission, but will also automate industries such as the automotive and mining industries, enhance telemedicine and education. However, now that the deployment of infrastructure for this technology begins, the question arises as to what will happen to the 2, 3, 4 and 4.5 G networks.
Today 3G predominates in Mexico: 52% of the population has access to this technology, which allows sending emails, messages and surfing the Internet. Another 37% can access 4G, which also allows videoconferencing, downloading applications, surfing the Internet and using social networks. And only 11% of the population remains with 2G services, which allows calling and sending messages, according to the study ‘The Mobile Economy in Latin America 2021’, prepared by the global organization GSMA.
The agency’s forecast is that, towards 2025, 4G technology will be the predominant technology in the country, reaching 54% of the population, 3G will drop to 30% and 2G will only be used by 2%, while 14 % of the population will be able to access 5G.
Although keeping technologies such as 2G, 3G and 4G operating simultaneously imply high costs for their maintenance and high energy consumption, especially in the second and third technologies, Telcel assured that it will not turn off these networks for the time being, due to the fact that many people, especially in places with poor connectivity, rely on these bands to communicate.
“We do not want to do that (turn off networks with less technology), we take care of our users and if they want to continue using 2G, they should continue doing so. As soon as they want to change technology we will make that change for them, I hope they change it because the more they migrate to another technology they will have more applications, more bandwidth… But it depends on them and we are not going to pressure and cancel users”, assured Daniel Hajj, CEO of América Móvil.
Hajj noted that the company is not forced to turn off 2, 3 or 4G because they have updated all their infrastructure so that technology can be migrated quickly. “We did the modernization precisely because our base stations can use any of our technologies virtually,” explained the director of the company controlled by Carlos Slim.
According to the National Mobile Coverage Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2020, carried out by the IFT, Telcel has 89.8% of 2G coverage in the country. As for 3G, Carlos Slim’s company has 88.7% coverage, while AT&T has 55.2% and Telefónica 51.6%. For 4G, Telcel has 81.7% coverage, Altán Redes 61.2%, AT&T 57.4% and Telefónica 47.8%.
América Móvil plans to bring connectivity to more remote areas this year, which would translate into giving access to technologies to more than five million users. This plan is contemplated within the investment that the company will have this year.
