Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has outlined plans to conduct a limited trial shutdown of 3G services later this year.
The TRA then expects to carry out an entire network shift-off from the third quarter of 2024, as reported by Oman Observer.
The trial shutdown of the service will help to identify challenges around ensuring that the wider 3G switch-off progresses smoothly, notes the publication.
Spectrum from the 3G network will then be repurposed for Oman's 4G and 5G networks.
The TRA confirmed it will no longer approve devices that are not compatible with 4G or more advanced networks and will prevent their importation.
The TRA said it wants VoLTE technology enabled on all mobile handsets.
Mobile operators across the world are switching off their 2G and 3G networks in order to expand their 4G and 5G services instead. In the UK, EE confirmed to DCD last month that it is set to begin decommissioning its 3G network from the first quarter of next year.
In the US, all three of the main carriers called time on 3G last year, while Danish duo Telia and Telenor announced the switch off of their 3G mobile networks earlier this year.
Several other operators around the world have outlined plans to retire 3G networks recently to enhance 4G and 5G services, including the likes of Orange, Spark New Zealand, Telia Estonia, and more.
