On November 18, the 2G mobile network will stop working in Chile, marking the end of an era for the first digital mobile network that was launched in the 1990s. This network allowed advances such as the ability to send text messages between phones cell phones, which represented a great change in mobile communications at that time. However, with the evolution of mobile technologies, its use has decreased considerably.
According to Patricia Muñoz, Director of Territory and Citizenship at Entel, less than 1% of the company’s clients still use the network 2G. Furthermore, this technology is obsolete, difficult to maintain and consumes a large amount of electrical energy. For these reasons, Entel has made the decision to progressively turn off the 2G network, giving way to more modern and efficient technologies, such as 3G, 4G and 5G networks.
The shutdown process 2G network It began from north to south in Chile and will culminate on November 18 in the La Araucanía region. From that date on, all phones that depend exclusively on this network will be unusable. This primarily affects older devices that do not have the ability to connect to more advanced networks.
Entel is not the only telecommunications company that is making this transition, since other companies such as Movistar have also begun to withdraw their 2G network. To mitigate the impact of this change, Entel has announced that it will deliver cell phones for free to some people who still depend on the 2G network. These new devices will have access to 3G and 4G networks, allowing users to continue making calls and sending text messages without interruptions.
He free replacement It will benefit about 25 thousand people, especially those over 70 years of age who need to update their equipment. The phones that will be distributed are simple models, with large buttons and more accessible screens, designed for ease of use and to ensure that everyone can stay connected regardless of age or familiarity with technology.
For those who want to know if they are eligible to receive one of these phones, Entel has enabled a web page where you can check the phone number. In this way, it is ensured that no one is left without service during the technological transition that will mark the end of the network. 2G in Chile.
