Simple question. Do the networks intend to run 2G indefinitely, or will everywhere that currently has 2G coverage eventually be uprgraded to 3G?

it'll eventually be upgraded to 3g/4g. But 2g services will still be around for a while.

Now that Ofcom has allowed the networks to re-farm their existing 2G spectrum for 3G use, this will make the transition a lot smoother than it would have done if 3G was limited to 2100MHz only.

O2 has already started upgrading its 900MHz spectrum to run both 2G and 3G services. I imagine that a phased approach will eventually see the balance switch from 2G to 3G and 2G eventually phased out. Apart from a few Blackberry handsets there can't be that many 2G only handsets around these days surely!

Nearly half of the nation is still using basic 2G phones with nothing more than voice / text.

I think emergency services rely on o2's 2g network.

That is not correct. BT Cellnet were awarded the contract to build a TETRA network for emergency services, when O2 took over they built the network and then sold it to an Australian bank. Airwave is not owned by O2, does not rely on the O2 network and doesn't even work on the same frequencies etc.

Ah fair enough. I know it was so long ago now! But knew O2 had something to do with it.

http://www.publications.parliament.u.../783/78303.htm

Yes they did, but they no longer do and it's never used O2's consumer network or frequencies.