A new survey from TXO revealed that the high costs of maintaining outdated networks are creating significant financial and operational pressures for telecom service providers. Despite modernisation efforts, many operators predict that older infrastructure such as copper, 2G, and 3G networks will remain in service for years to come.
The survey, which included responses from 231 network decision-makers across the UK, US, and Canada, found that 79% of operators expect their copper networks to remain operational until at least 2028, with more than a quarter (28%) expecting them to last until 2030 or beyond. Similarly, 43% of operators believe 2G networks won’t be fully phased out until 2030, and nearly 20% foresee decommissioning continuing beyond that.
These legacy systems are hindering service providers’ ability to roll out new, more competitive services, with 81% of respondents agreeing that these outdated networks are slowing the rollout of new technology. John Teasdale, Group Chief Network Officer at TXO, explains, “Operators are caught in a challenging cycle where legacy networks are becoming increasingly costly to maintain, yet full decommissioning is still years away. The continued reliance on copper and legacy mobile networks is a major hurdle to new network innovations like 5G and fibre.”
The financial strain of maintaining these networks is compounded by major outages, which cost businesses an average of £1.1 million per year. These outages are becoming more frequent and disruptive as older infrastructure struggles to meet today’s demands. In fact, 98% of surveyed network decision-makers reported that maintaining ageing networks has increased overall operational costs, with many experiencing a 30-40% rise in maintenance costs over the past year.
Despite the growing challenges, many telecom operators remain hesitant to decommission their legacy systems. Three-quarters of survey respondents said they have delayed phasing out older networks, with 53% citing labour shortages as a primary reason for the delay.
However, some operators are exploring more sustainable options. In an effort to reduce waste and lower costs, 85% of surveyed companies plan to resell copper infrastructure as part of a circular economy strategy, with 80% planning to do the same with 2G and 3G equipment.
Simon Wort, CEO at TXO, highlights the potential benefits of a circular economy: “Decommissioning legacy networks is a complex challenge, but with the right expertise and infrastructure, operators can recover value from retired equipment while accelerating their sustainability goals. By reselling, recycling, and reusing network assets, the industry can reduce waste, lower costs, and build a greener, more resilient technology sector.”
