T-Mobile has pledged to continue supporting its nationwide 2G network through 2020 in order to provide continuity to support legacy M2M connections.
The third largest mobile operator in the US said that with its new spectrum-efficient 2G GSM optimization that is able to tune the amount of spectrum to the needs of 2G M2M connections, it can allow older GSM devices to work alongside more advanced LTE devices.
With this plan, T-Mobile says that it’s also “throwing a lifeline” to AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) customers by offering them free 2G service through the end of 2016, providing them free SIMs and free 2G service up to 50 MB per device per month during the period.
AT&T is shutting down their 2G GSM network that operates on 850/1900MHz spectrum at the end of 2016. AT&T wireless customers using this network will need to upgrade their devices as they will be unable to make or receive calls, including emergency calls, send or receive text messages, or use data services after 12/31/2016.
