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Phase out 2G mobile services over a few years

I read with apprehension that the telcos here are planning to ditch the 2G network (“2G mobile services to be turned off in 2017”; June 16).

I read with apprehension that the telcos here are planning to ditch the 2G network (“2G mobile services to be turned off in 2017”; June 16).

They gave the usual reason — that the spectrum now occupied by 2G would be better utilised for other purposes. But I think consumers will be the main losers in this exercise. Can they have a say about such a change?

Imagine the older generation’s anguish at using 3G handsets, which are by no means cheap.

How about foreign workers, the bulk of the 2G network users? Has their plight been considered?

It would be better to phase out services over, say, five years, so cheaper 3G handsets would be available by then.

The telcos’ decision reminds me of the manner in which Teletext was ditched. The newspapers have also stopped publishing the full list of closing stock prices. One must now subscribe to a data plan to access such information.

In the move up the technological ladder, consumers are being inconvenienced or, worse, have to fork out for data plans just to gain information.

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