3G Users Switching to 2G Handsets

The UK's 3G network operator, Hutchison 3G has reportedly started blocking SIM swapping on its network. According to a report in Dow Jones Newswires, subscribers to the 3G network have been taking their SIM cards out of their 3G handsets and putting them into 2G handsets. The rationale for the move is that the 2G handsets tend to be lighter and have a longer battery life than the 3G phones being sold by Hutchison 3G - although they naturally lack the video calling options offered by the 3G phones.

The problem for the network is that all calls from the 2G handsets will be routed over the GSM network of its roaming partner, O2 and the costs would be higher than routing the call over the 3G infrastructure.

A Hutchison 3G spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires that it is monitoring their subscribers usage and if they were found to be swapping their SIMs into 2G handsets then special software would be transmitted into their SIM card to prevent it working except in a 3G phone.

The issue does raise concerns however that subscribers to the 3G network are more interested in the cheap voice calls the company is offering, and not in the video calls and multimedia services that the company is banking on to cover its investment in the network and license."

Posted to the site on 9th September 2003