Future-proof your business for the 2G network sunset
2G is being phased out across South Africa. If your alarm communicator still relies on 2G, your signals — and your clients' security — are at risk.
Carriers are switching off 2G to make way for 4G and 5G. Alarm communicators that still rely on 2G will stop sending signals the moment that happens.
What this means for your business
If you manage monitoring, installations, or armed response, the 2G sunset isn't just a technical update. It's a business risk.
Lost signals
Communicators that can't fall back to 4G will drop signals. Alarms trigger. Nothing arrives. Clients are at risk and you don't know it.
Unplanned downtime
When 2G goes dark in a coverage zone, devices go offline, often without warning. That means urgent site visits, client complaints, and revenue impact.
Compliance exposure
Monitoring standards require verifiable signal paths. A device that silently fails on 2G puts your compliance status and your reputation on the line.
When is it happening?
Carrier timelines are already in motion. Some areas are seeing 2G decommissioned now. The full sunset is expected to roll out in phases — which means the risk is real today, not just tomorrow.
How to know if you're at risk
Not sure if your current communicator will survive the 2G sunset? Here's what to check.
Olarm 2G readiness check
Check every box. If you can't, your device isn't fully 2G sunset ready.
Why Olarm MAX
It's one of the only communicators built for what's next.
How does Olarm compare?
We stacked Olarm MAX up against the other communicators in the market. Here's how it looks.
Swipe to compare →
| Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | Competitor 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | ||||
| Communication paths | Dual SIM 4G + WiFi | Dual SIM 4G + WiFi | LTE (WiFi select) | 4G + WiFi/Ethernet |
| Simultaneous multi-path routing | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| LTE Band 20 & 28 | ? | ? | ? | |
| Backup & Reliability | ||||
| Alerts on power cut | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Last Gasp (Supercapacitor backup) | 4 min | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Tamper detection (Optical sensor) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| OTA firmware updates | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Ease of Use | ||||
| Multi-panel compatibility | 7+ brands | 7+ brands | 5 brands | IDS only |
| Remote programming | USB required | Bluetooth | IDSwift | |
| Managed SIM cards (zero config) | ✕ | ✕ | GDSP | |
| Features | ||||
| Video verification | ✕ | ✕ | ||
| Electric fence control (Nemtek) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Smart home (Home Assistant) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| European certified (EN 50136) | Grade 3 | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |