Telstra plans to close its 2G network by the end of 2016, the company's managing director of networks, Mike Wright, announced in a blog post. Customers have naturally moved to the faster speeds and a user experience of 3G and 4G that could only have been dreamed about 20 years ago and the network today carries less than 1 percent of Telstra's total traffic. As the operator has not sold a 2G-only phone for several years, it expects that many customers with 2G Sim cards may already own more advanced phones. They can swap them for a 3G Sim card at no extra charge at Telstra stores. Those with older phones will have to buy a 3G or 4G compatible handset. The operator said it will contact retail and wholesale customers to inform them of how the change affects them and how they will be helped in the transition.
