2G & 3G Decommissioning

We would Like to thank The Santam for the content of this letter below.

This information applies to all our client, regardless of who your insurer may be.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON 2G AND 3G NETWORK DECOMMISSIONING AND CLIENT SUPPORT GUIDANCE

As part of a national initiative, the South African government has begun phasing out 2G and 3G mobile networks to make way for newer technologies like 4G and 5G. This may affect devices linked to insurance policies, such as vehicle trackers, security systems, and industrial equipment. These devices could experience service disruptions or eventually stop functioning. Although the full shutdown is planned for December 2027, some mobile providers started decommissioning as early as January 2025, and certain devices have already lost connectivity.

Motor Vehicle Devices

Those of you using vehicle technology, such as tracking, telematics, or fleet management systems should verify whether your devices still rely solely on 2G or 3G networks. These products often use brand names that don’t clearly reflect the underlying technology, so it’s important to confirm the device model and specifications. When considering upgrades, Radio Frequency (RF) tracking devices are a reliable alternative. Unlike GPS/GSM based systems, RF Devices don’t rely on cellular networks and we have seen higher vehicle recovery rates in this space.

Property and Other Devices

When using property security systems, certain industrial alarms, or other monitoring devices linked to control rooms should check with their service providers which network their equipment uses. Devices like fire alarms and gas detectors may also be affected by the shutdown.

We encourage you to proactively to assess any possible impact and take the necessary steps to maintain uninterrupted service.

If you have questions about your device’s compatibility, please refer to your service provider to confirm which network the device uses and whether an upgrade is needed.