Subtonomy provides the visibility and insight operators need to manage both the roll out of their new 5G networks and the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks to ensure a customer-centric approach to both.
Customer-centric rather than operationally-centric 2G/3G sunsetting
Mobile network operators have a lot of experience rolling out new networks, expanding network footprints and densifying for increased quality of service. However, they have relatively little experience of switching off older networks and often take an engineering led, operationally-centric approach to doing so.
They leave the task of informing customers to external communications who usually embark on an (expensive) customer information and education program such as #BytNätNu in Sweden. But these programs miss some customers and are ignored by others who don’t understand how the change applies to them. Almost inevitably, they’re left scratching their heads and wondering what they could have done differently when customers begin complaining about the transition. Didn’t they do everything possible to inform them?
Consider Kat's case: content with a basic phone for texting her daughter and calling friends, she's puzzled when it suddenly stops working. Her daughter's concern grows when she can't contact Kat. They realize the phone itself isn't at fault — instead, Kat's network has been discontinued. Upon contacting customer support, they learn that the 3G service is no longer active. Despite a widespread advertising campaign, Kat, nearing her 80s and not a TV viewer, was uninformed. The support team quickly helps them choose a suitable new phone, but the oversight leaves them feeling that the provider failed to protect Kat from the avoidable stress of being disconnected.
Maximize the customer experience during 2G/3G sunsetting with SubCell
But what if instead of just informing customers they took a more personalized and proactive approach to sunsetting? What if they could see exactly who is connected to a cell, what handset they have, and which services they’re using?
This customer-centric level of information complements cell planning data (which is quality of service focused) by providing clear insight into real customer experience and the likely impact of network changes on customers (a customer experience focus), such as sunset of 3G network.
SubCell from Subtonomy provides an accurate geographic visualization of each network and each customer, enabling operations, customer support and marketing teams to work together to create a smooth transition for customers.
SubCell reveals exactly which customers are attached to each cell and can isolate 2G or 3G customers who’ve attached over a period of time and a plan put in place to address their issues and smooth their transition to 4G/5G. This could take the form of a personalized information or marketing campaign to ensure such customers are prepared and transitioned before the network is shut down and maintaining a positive customer relationship.
The telecoms network landscape will continue to evolve as new networks are rolled out and densified and older network equipment is retired.
"Handling complexity and understanding user experience is key to efficient network operations. We use Subtonomy to help us stay efficient in an ever changing environment."
KAJ AHLKVIST
Network Quality, 3 Sweden & Denmark
2G/3G Switch off dates for telecom operators in EMEA
Country | 2G | 3G |
Albania |
| Vodafone 31/04/2024 |
Belgium |
| Telenet 30/09/2024 |
Croatia |
| Hrvatski Telekom 31/12/2022 T-Mobile 22/03/2024 |
Czech Republic |
| Vodafone 30/11/2021 T-Mobile 31/12/2021 |
Denmark |
| Telia 01/04/2021 Telenor 31/07/2022 TDC 31/12/2022 |
Estonia |
| Telia 31/01/2023 Elisa 31/12/2025 Tele2 31/12/2025 |
Finland |
| DNA 31/01/2023 Telia 31/01/2023 Elisa 31/01/2023 |
France | Orange 31/12/2025 SFR 31/12/2026 Bouygues 31/12/2026 | Orange 31/12/2028 SFR 31/12/2028 Bouygues 31/12/2029 |
Germany |
| Vodafone 30/06/2021 Telekom 30/06/2021 Telefonica 31/12/2021 |
Greece |
| Cosmote 31/12/2021 Vodafone 31/12/2022 Nova 31/03/2023 Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company 30/06/2023 |
Hungary |
| Magyar Telekom 30/06/2022 Vodafone 30/11/2022 Telenor 31/01/2023 Yettel 31/10/2023 |
Iceland | Siminn 31/12/2024 IMC Island 31/12/2024 Syn hf. 31/12/2025 | Siminn 31/12/2025 Nova 31/12/2025 Syn 31/12/2025 |
Ireland |
| Vodafone 31/12/2023 |
Italy |
| Vodafone 01/02/2021 |
Kuwait |
| Ooredoo 30/06/2023 |
Liechtenstein | Swisscom 01/01/2021 Telecom Liechtenstein 31/01/2021 | Swisscom 31/01/2024 |
Lithuania |
| Telia 01/03/2022 |
Luxembourg |
| Post 31/07/2022 |
Macedonia |
| Makedonski Telekom 31/07/2022 |
Malta |
| Vodafone 31/04/2024 |
Netherlands | T-Mobile Netherlands 01/06/2023 | KPN 31/03/2022 |
North Macedonia |
| Telekom 31/03/2024 |
Norway |
| Telenor 31/12/2021 |
Poland | Orange 31/12/2030 | T-Mobile 01/01/2023 |
Portugal |
| Vodafone 31/03/2022 MEO 31/01/2024 |
Romania |
| Telekom Romania Mobile Communications 01/07/2022 Vodafone 31/01/2023 |
Saudi Arabia |
| STC 31/12/2022 |
Slovakia | Orange 31/12/2030 | Slovak Telekom 31/12/2022 A1 30/06/2023 O2 31/01/2024 |
Slovenia | A1 31/12/2030 |
|
Spain |
| Vodafone 31/04/2024 |
Sweden | Telia 31/12/2025 Tele2 31/12/2025 Telenor 31/12/2025 | Telia 31/12/2023 Tele2 01/12/2025 Telenor 31/12/2025 |
Switzerland | Sunrise 31/12/2022 | Sunrise 01/07/2025 |
UAE | Etisalat 31/12/2022 Emirates Integrated Telecoms Company 31/12/2022 |
|
UK | EE 31/12/2025Vodafone 31/12/2025 | Vodafone 31/01/2024 EE 31/01/2024 3UK 31/12/2024 O2 01/01/2025 |