T-Mobile said it plans to operate its 2G GSM network through the year 2020.
The company has optimized its 2G network to run on less spectrum alongside its LTE 4G network. The vast majority of T-Mobile handsets connect via LTE. T-Mobile is keeping its 2G GSM network alive specifically for Internet of Things and machine-to-machine devices.
As such, T-Mobile is attempting to lure away AT&T‘s IoT and M2M customers by offering free SIM cards and free 2G service through the end of the year to any subscribers that switch. Many IoT and M2M applications require little bandwidth and generally access the network only periodically.
T-Mobile is going after AT&T because AT&T plans to shut down its 2G network at the end of this year.
