On June 27, 2021, the Ministry of Communications (MoC) of Israel, announced their plans to phase out 2G and 3G networks by the end of 2025.
According to MoC, after January 1, 2022, it will ban the import of mobile devices that only support older technology standards to accommodate new technologies and the 5G cellular network.
The Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel stated:
“We are piloting the State of Israel to a new era in the field of communications infrastructure. For far too long, Israel has lagged behind due to a lack of decision making. This step is essential for us to become a leading country.
Around the world, old technologies have been shut down in order to make progress and to release frequencies – which are a limited resource – in favor of advanced technologies.
Today we are setting out and freeing the logjam. The process will be gradual and will allow those who need it to make the necessary technological adjustments and it is part of a move to pull the cart out of the mud and to accelerate the Israeli economy.”
The projected timeline is as follows:
- Stage 1 – January 1, 2022, prohibiting the commercial importation of mobile devices that support only old technologies.
- Stage 2 – January 1, 2023, ceasing the connection of new mobile devices to the networks that support only old technologies, including vehicle based hands free devices and M2M end equipment. Operators will be required to provide 2G and 3G service to existing subscribers up to the time that the networks will shut down.
- Stage 3 – December 31, 2025, the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks.
If you have questions about Israel market access for cellular devices, please contact iCertifi.