Global leap to 4G and 5G would cut off phone access for millions of vulnerable people.

  • Telecom companies aim to profit from the 2G-to-5G transition as governments worldwide face pressure to free up mobile spectrum.
  • Vietnam is the latest country to shut down 2G by offering free 4G phones to the poor.
  • India and South Africa have expressed concern that the strategy would cut off phone access for millions of vulnerable people.
  • Madis
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    13 days ago

    Well, they shouldn’t turn it off any time soon, just like they don’t turn off analog radio. TV is one I can understand where turning off old methods makes sense, because people upgrade their TVs and use IPTV/SatTV/cable TV much more likely anyway.

    • @[email protected]
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      213 days ago

      You update your TV more than your phone? I don’t feel that’s the regular way of things.

      • Madis
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        13 days ago

        I meant like the elderly might still be using a dumb phone, but not a CRT screen or analog connection.