In view of the upcoming shutdown of the 2G mobile network in Germany, Panasonic Industry and INSYS icom are combining their expertise to support operators in the water and environmental sectors with the migration to future-proof communication solutions. At IFAT Munich, the two companies are presenting a joint solution that efficiently modernises existing installations while reducing investment costs.
Deutsche Telekom plans to shut down its 2G network by no later than June 30, 2028, to free up frequencies for more powerful technologies such as 4G (LTE) and 5G. However, numerous applications in the water industry as well as in M2M and IoT environments still rely on GSM technology and therefore face an urgent need for modernisation.
Challenge: migrating existing infrastructure
The transition particularly affects long-life installations within critical infrastructures, where communication units often remain in operation unchanged for many years. Without timely migration, outages may occur, as devices that only support 2G will no longer be able to establish network connections after the shutdown.
“The 2G shutdown is one of the key challenges facing many operators in the water industry. Existing systems must be migrated to future-ready technologies in good time to ensure long-term operational reliability,” explains Anna Wels, Vice President Project Business at INSYS icom.
Joint Solution: retrofit instead of complete replacement
At the heart of the solution is Panasonic Industry’s FP-I4C communication controller, combined with industrial routers and gateways from INSYS icom. The concept is simple: continue using existing installations while integrating them into modern communication infrastructures.
“With the FP-I4C, we offer a kind of ‘Swiss Army knife’ for industrial communication. It enables existing serially connected controllers to be integrated into modern networks – without requiring a complete system replacement,” says Sonja Linder, European Marketing Manager at Panasonic Industry.
This retrofit strategy not only helps companies reduce costs but also supports sustainability by extending the life of existing hardware.
Added value through modern communication and remote services
The FP-I4C supports a wide range of industrial communication protocols and enables functions such as:
- Connecting existing installations to databases and cloud systems
- Remote access and remote maintenance
- Creation of web-based visualisations for improved usability
- Integration into point-to-point and multi-point communication structures
Combined with INSYS icom’s industrial routers, this creates a scalable and secure end-to-end solution.
Secure connectivity with industrial LTE routers
INSYS icom’s router and gateway solutions are specifically designed for industrial applications and provide:
- Secure data transmission via VPN connections
- High connection stability and redundancy
- Support for modern mobile communication standards such as LTE and 5G
- Rugged design for operation in demanding environments
- Integration with SCADA, IoT, and cloud platforms
“Our premium products for industrial data communication enable secure and reliable networking of installations as well as dependable remote access – an essential factor for operating distributed infrastructures,” adds Anna Wels.
Focus on cybersecurity and future readiness
By migrating to modern mobile communication technologies, companies benefit not only from higher bandwidth and lower latency but also from enhanced security mechanisms. Modern industrial routers feature hardened operating systems, encryption technologies, and flexible VPN architectures, which are particularly essential for critical infrastructure applications.
“Cybersecurity plays a crucial role, especially in critical applications such as the water industry. In combination with INSYS icom’s solutions, we provide a secure and sustainable communication foundation for the long term,” emphasizes Sonja Linder.
Conclusion: act now and secure a competitive advantage
The upcoming 2G network shutdown is not only a technical challenge but also an opportunity to modernise existing infrastructure. Companies that transition early to future-proof communication solutions will benefit from:
- Higher availability and reliability
- Improved data integration and transparency
- Reduced operating costs through remote services
- Long-term investment security
Panasonic Industry and INSYS icom offer a coordinated, field-proven solution – from data acquisition to secure data transmission.
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