In the wireless technology industry, the only constants are change ... and the need to shut down legacy networks. Indeed, wireless carriers shut down legacy networks for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it's simply that newer and more advanced technologies have arrived and customers no longer use the older ones. Other times carriers inherit legacy networks and look to shut them down for cost savings.
Many operators refarm spectrum that had been dedicated to older services and repurpose the airwaves for newer ones.
In his latest special report, FierceWireless editor Phil Goldstein lists when and why carriers have relegated certain network technologies to the scrap heap of wireless history. He also takes some time to remember what these networks were used for in the first place. You can read the full report here.