Some context.
GE: Speaking of Beta, will there be downtime between current game and 2.0?

Yoshida: What’s going to happen is that after the current version is finished and storyline over, the servers will go down and the 2.0 beta will start up. We want to make sure we don’t make the same mistake as before, and want to be sure we have enough time not only for the beta test but also to get feedback from the players and leave enough time to implement that feedback. Also, keep in mind that transferring the characters to the new servers and systems could take up to a month. So that process will be running while the beta test is in place. There can’t be a launch immediately after the current servers are shut down.

GE: So the beta test and current game will not be operating simultaneously?

Yoshida: No. Because we need the time to convert the data from the current version to the new version, we can’t have people keep playing because they will keep updating their data. That doesn’t mean we are not going to work hard to make sure the servers aren’t down for a long time. We know that the community is there and want to maintain that community.

GE: How much downtime do you expect between the end of the beta test and the launch 2.0?

Yoshida: It won’t be anything like the next day, but we hope to have it be as short as possible. We need enough time to make sure everything is right and start it smoothly.

GE: Do you have any ideas yet on how will people get into beta?

Yoshida: We decided not to tie it directly to the legacy campaign, but we want to prioritize getting the current players that are playing now into beta.
(Source)

I don't think this answers any of the questions (I guess it raised most of the questions in this thread), but this thread needs concreteness.

Quote Originally Posted by Jinko View Post
They are going to need more than a month to beta test 2.0, don't rush this Yoshi-p.
From what I can tell, the beta is expected to last three months. The beta and the character migration are not the same thing; they just happen to be happening at the same time. But the character transfer should be done before the beta is. Which, I guess, means you will get to use existing characters later on in the beta. But that's just a guess.

While I'm in guessing mode, I might as well say that I think closed beta will last one month, but will be followed by a period of open beta. This seems to be indicated by the fact that they plan to temporarily reintroduce free trials ahead of the relaunch proper next year.