A quarter of voice calls in Latvia still run on old 2G network
Three-quarters of voice calls in Latvia are now made using the modern VoLTE technology, while a quarter still rely on the outdated 2G network. Operators say Latvia has no plans to shut down 2G in the coming years.
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Following the shutdown of the 3G network and the replacement of older handsets with newer models, an increasing number of mobile users in Latvia are making voice calls via VoLTE technology. According to Līga Krūmiņa, technical director at Tele2, this technology delivers better call quality and allows users to access mobile data simultaneously during a call — for example, sending images through apps or browsing the internet.
A quarter of calls still on 2G
Company data shows that 75% of voice calls in Latvia are now made using modern technology, while the remaining 25% are still carried out over the 2G network. This network is designed solely for voice calls and text messages, and tends to be used by people with older-model phones.
No 2G shutdown planned in Latvia yet
While several countries around the world have already begun gradually phasing out 2G networks as the number of users declines, Latvia has no such plans for the coming years. For comparison, Tele2 switched off its 3G network once only about 1% of total mobile data traffic was being consumed on that network — a similar threshold has not yet been reached for 2G.
As previously reported, Tele2 invested five million euros in rolling out VoLTE and VoWiFi (voice over Wi-Fi) technology, and these services are available free of charge to all users with compatible devices.
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