The 2G network, once the backbone of mobile communication, provided reliable voice services and SMS for decades. Launched in the 1990s, 2G was known for its efficiency in offering basic connectivity with low bandwidth. With the arrival of faster and more advanced networks like 4G and 5G, the time has come to bid farewell to 2G. Although it was once a revolutionary technology, it can no longer meet the growing demand for data-driven services and internet connectivity. The phase-out of 2G marks the beginning of a new era, in which the Netherlands is fully focusing on the possibilities of 4G and 5G.
Many companies do not realize that a lot of devices still operate on a 2G modem. For example, think of fire alarm control panels, alarm and security systems. While Odido has already shut down 2G, VodafoneZiggo has plans to do so by the end of 2024, and KPN, as the last operator, will do so on December 1, 2025.
Our customers regularly ask us for help with this and to see whether older equipment can be transitioned from 2G to 4G or 5G.
In this specific case, it concerns an irrigation computer for an agricultural company that still has 10 such systems running on a 2G modem. After removing the 2G modem, we searched for an identical component available for 4G and/or 5G, but unfortunately, it turned out not to be available. We then explored whether it was possible to extract values so that we could intercept the data with our own separate modem, but the data was encrypted (as it should be), so our attempts also failed. Afterward, we had to stop the search and inform the owner that they needed to prepare for the purchase of 10 new irrigation computers.
Of course, with Miggy’s connectivity inside!
