(Ecofin Agency) - Mobile operator Vodacom says it is planning to turn off its 2G network. Chief Technology Officer, Andries Delport, said during a media conference that the company would not be able to switch off its 2G network entirely, as it is still used for some applications. 

However, the telecom company wishes to deactivate the 2G consumer voice segment to devote this frequency spectrum to improve its coverage and 4G capacity.

“The big benefit for us to re-farm 2G is to improve 4G coverage. If we can thin out 2G, it will allow us to use 900 Mhz for 4G,” explained Andries Delport.

Vodacom is not the only telecom operator that plans to stop 2G services to boost 4G. Last July, Telkom unveiled the same intention in order to focus on more innovative services offering more financial opportunities.

Vodacom and Telkom have opted to optimize and reallocate their 2G resources in view of the lack of spectrum available for South African mobile networks.