Why buy a 2G phone

[WitawatWatawit]

Have an iPad, so don't need a smartphone. Have been checking inexpensive handsets, and I am looking at the Nokia 220 - at 1,350 baht, but it is only 2G. Is it worth buying?

Please don't reply with "spend more - go 3G". That's not answering the question, and is a different topic. The idea is to discuss the relative worth of buying a 2G phone in this current climate.

[dom samui]

Yes

[RichCor]

For voice-only, the question really should be about GSM and whether Thailand will continue to provide that service or force everyone into 3G/4G Voice handled on 1800/1900/2100/2300 bands.

No-one has told me not to buy GSM-only 850/900 phones. But for how long?

I wish the carriers would talk about backward compatibility with current equipment as well as what will work on the newer networks.

[WitawatWatawit]

Understand Rich. Wasn't there something recently about auctioning off those bands, or one of them?

Anyway, so you think the 2G phones are still viable for some time?

[RichCor]

GSM / 2G equipment is still being sold openly in Thailand with no warnings.

Wikipedia 2G entry regarding 2G shutdown:

2G Shut Down

Various carriers such as AT&T have made announcements that 2G GSM technology in the United States is in the process of being shut down so that carriers can reclaim those radio bands and re-purpose them for future technology needs. The shut down will be complete by the end of 2016. All 2G GSM devices will lose service at some point between now and the end of 2016.^[4]

This shut down is having a notable impact on the electronic security industry where many 2G GSM radios are in use for alarm signal communication to Central Station dispatch centers. 2G GSM radios must be replaced by newer generation radios to avoid service outages.^[5]

Unfortunately this doesn't indicate if the US service will be disrupted due to lack of backward compatibility, frequency reassignment, or just plain being orphaned.

Here in Thailand there are several license 'concessions' expiring and the spectrums being auctioned to 4G providers. Unknown if they will offer backward compatibility.

From SCB Economic Intelligence Center dated article: 1800 and 900 MHz spectrum auctions … a key factor driving the telecom business and the Thai economy

As for the 900 MHz spectrum bidding to be held after the 1800 MHz auction, AIS appears to be the clear beneficiary as the spectrum currently belongs to them under concession, but they would have to forgo this in 2015 along with a large customer base should they not win back the license. Furthermore, in the short-term there are no other low frequency substitutes for 900 MHz for AIS. Meanwhile, DTAC and TRUE each already own a 850 MHz spectrum under concession which has similar qualities to 900 MHz and the concession will last until 2025. We therefore expect AIS to be the main operator interested in bidding for 900 MHz, causing the final bidding price to only increase slightly from the starting price.

If I were buying mobile handsets I would try to make sure they operated on 850/1800 and maybe 2100. It's just a big unknown how much 2G-only equipment will be supported on the new concession licensees.

Edited September 1, 2014 by RichCor

[Suradit69]

I was having similar thoughts. Will need a new phone before long, but I have Internet at home and a iPad that are all I need in that vein. Don't really need or want to access the Internet or email via a phone or play games or do anything other than talk and send/receive sms messages.

Hadn't thought about the service being terminated. I have to believe in Thailand there will continue to be a whole lot of folks reliant on basic mobile telephone service without the frills for economic reasons rather than resistance to newer technology. Hope so anyway.

[casualbiker]

I would suggest a phone capable of 3g. There are a few in the OP price range! It doesn't have to be a smartphone.