The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has unveiled a national roadmap to decommission legacy 2G and 3G mobile networks, with the transition set to begin on 1 April 2026 and full migration to 4G and 5G technologies targeted by 31 March 2030.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement, Technical Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Ronel La Grange, said the planned switch-off should not be viewed as a discontinuation of service but rather as a necessary technological upgrade.
The move aims to repurpose spectrum, allowing operators to use existing frequencies for faster, more secure and more efficient 4G and 5G services.
“The main objective is to replace 2G and 3G with 4G and 5G. This is not a discontinuation of service; it is a migration to a later generation of technology. It is based on the same principle as replacing your car or upgrading your television to a smart TV. We propose a four-year period for the switch-off, running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030,” she said.
The transition plan outlines several key regulatory measures aimed at ensuring a smooth migration. From April 2026, CRAN will introduce strict device restrictions by ceasing the processing of Type Approval applications and renewals for equipment that is exclusively 2G- or 3G-capable.
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The regulatory changes will also apply to the commercial sector, requiring retailers and suppliers to halt the importation and sale of legacy handsets to prevent further circulation of obsolete technology. In addition, mobile operators will be required to expand 4G and 5G networks until coverage matches or exceeds the current 91% population coverage achieved by 2G services before any local decommissioning can take place.
“While we have 91% 4G population coverage, we must ensure that 4G coverage matches the 2G footprint before the switch-off to avoid service interruptions. Many users still have older SIM cards that only support 2G or 3G, and these must be replaced. Devices such as point-of-sale terminals, water meters and vehicle trackers that operate exclusively on 2G will also need to be upgraded to support 4G and 5G,” La Grange said.
To protect consumers during the four-year transition period, CRAN has introduced a range of safeguards.
Operators will be required to provide advance notice to customers whose devices or SIM cards are identified as becoming obsolete, ensuring users are not disconnected without warning.
The roadmap also provides contractual protections by prohibiting operators from locking customers into long-term 3G service agreements extending beyond the switch-off date. Where services are discontinued, customers must be allowed to exit contracts without financial penalty.
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The plan will be supported by a nationwide SIM swap initiative to replace legacy cards with 4G-compatible versions.
“Operators must formally inform CRAN of their switch-off plans and provide a roadmap by 16 March. They must ensure 4G and 5G availability before the switch and identify affected users in advance. If an operator cannot continue providing 2G or 3G services, customers must be allowed to exit their contracts without penalty or be offered an upgrade,” she said.
This article was first published here in partnership with The Brief