Taiwan’s mobile operators have completed the switch-off of their respective 2G networks.
The switch-off on Saturday has left the nation’s remaining 2G holdouts unable to place any calls except for emergency calls, or send or receive text messages or use data serices.
At the time of the shutdown there were an estimated 60,000 2G holdouts on Chunghwa Telecom, 20,000 on Taiwan Mobile and 8,000 on Far EasTone, the report states.
Remaining 2G customers’ numbers will be reserved until the end of December if they choose to upgrade to 4G.
Taiwan Mobile is meanwhile redirecting customers attempting to place a call to a customer service center and will agree to temporary restart phone services if customers commit to upgrading to 4G. This redirection will last until July 7.
With the move, Taiwan has become the latest APAC nation to transition away from 2G services to free up spectrum for 4G and other mobile services. The shutdown was prompted by the expiration of all existing 2G licenses.