2G and 3G switch-off: old technologies make way for 4G and 5G frequencies 

Network operators worldwide have decided to gradually switch off 2G and 3G. In doing so, they are paving the way for a faster mobile network. In this article, you can find out exactly why the 2G and 3G shutdowns are taking place, what this means for IoT devices and when exactly it will happen.

Why is the 2G and 3G network being switched off?

The GSM mobile network, better known to most as 2G, has been around since 1990. This is the second generation of the mobile network, which was supplemented by the third generation network (3G), the UMTS network, from the year 2000. Today, more than 20 years later, we have already arrived at LTE (4G) and 5G. The old technologies are "discontinued models" and it has been clear for some time that they will gradually be switched off in the coming months and years. The 3G and 2G switch-off will make room for the new standards and thus enable a reliable and faster connection in the mobile network.

2G and 3G switch-off in Germany

When will 3G be switched off in Germany?

In Germany, all mobile network operators (Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2) have already announced the 3G shutdown. While Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone have already switched off their 3G radio cells as of June 31, 2021, they will remain in operation for the O2 network until the end of 2021. 

When will 2G be switched off in Germany?

So far, only Vodafone has announced a switch-off date for the slower 2G network, which is particularly widespread in rural areas: Vodafone is expected to pull the plug on its 2G network in April 2025, while the other network operators have not yet announced any specific switch-off dates for 2G. One of the reasons for this is that the 2G standard is still often used. Solutions must be found for older M2M devices in particular, which are not yet technically capable of using newer standards such as 4G or 5G, before the 2G switch-off can be implemented.

German Telekom
Vodafone
Telefonica O2
Planned 2G switch-off

No date known yet

expected 31.12.2025

No date known yet

3G switch-off

30.06.2021

30.06.2021

21.12.2021

2G and 3G switch-off worldwide

When will 2G and 3G be switched off in France?

Unlike in Germany, French network operators are planning to switch off the 2G network before the 3G network. Bouygues has announced that it will switch off 2G in France by the end of 2026. The French network operator plans to switch off 3G by the end of 2029. SFR has announced that it will also switch off 2G by the end of 2026 and 3G by 2028. Orange has announced 2025 for the 2G switch-off in France and plans to switch off the 3G network as early as 2026.

Bouygues
SFR
Orange
Planned 2G switch-off

End of 2026

End of 2026

End of 2025

Planned 3G switch-off

End of 2029

End of 2028

End of 2026

What about the 2G and 3G switch-off worldwide?

Network operators around the world have already pulled the plug on hundreds of 2G and 3G networks. Each network operator handles it differently, whether it switches off 3G first or gives preference to switching off 2G. While in Germany the 3G network was switched off before 2G, Swisscom and Sunrise in Switzerland have already switched off their 2G network at the end of 2022. However, specific dates for the 3G switch-off in Switzerland are not yet available. In the USA, AT&T's 2G network was already switched off in 2017, with T-Mobile following suit at the end of 2021. T-Mobile switched off its 3G network in the USA in 2020, while AT&T switched off 3G at the end of 2022.

Swisscom (Switzerland)
Sunrise (Switzerland)
AT&T (USA)
Planned 2G switch-off

Already switched off

31.12.2022

Already switched off

Planned 3G switch-off

No date known yet

No date known yet

31.12.2022

Effects of the 3G and 2G switch-off

What does the shutdown of 2G and 3G mean?

In a nutshell: If the technology is not available, end devices cannot use it. If network operators in Germany switch off the 2G network after the 3G network, all end devices that are not able to use a different frequency are offline. This affects all devices that were previously 2G/3G-capable and have not yet been upgraded to a newer technology such as 4G or 5G. Older alarm systems, for example, are likely to be affected.

What should I do about the 2G and 3G switch-off?

If you use SIM cards in older end devices, you should check whether the end devices are also able to use newer frequencies such as 4G and 5G. Switching off 2G and 3G is not a problem for the SIM card, but primarily for the end device. While SIM cards generally also support newer technologies, it may be the case that an end device is not technologically capable of doing so. If this is the case, components can be retrofitted depending on the end device to achieve 4G or 5G capability. Information on this can be found in the operating instructions for the device or can be obtained from product support for your end device.

What does the shutdown of 2G and 3G mean for M2M SIM cards from wherever SIM?

If our M2M SIM cards are in use in your devices, you don't need to do anything else with regard to the SIM card. Our M2M SIM cards already support several hundred 4G networks around the world as well as a large number of 5G networks. If you want to use these networks, you don't need to do anything else: The M2M SIM cards automatically support all 5G networks for which such an agreement exists and which belong to their tariff zone. It is important that your end devices are also able to establish a connection at least via the 4G network. With older devices in particular, there is a risk that only the 2G and 3G networks will be supported. Downward compatibility (the 4G network is not compatible with pure 2G/3G-capable devices) is not given, so that these devices cannot dial into the new networks and in the worst case remain offline. If you are affected or unsure about this, please contact us. We have contacts to reliable hardware partners and together we will find the right solution for you.

Do you have questions about our M2M & IoT SIM cards?

Write to us, or call us - our team of experts is looking forward to hearing from you.

Contact our M2M experts

More IoT news