As 3G mobile networks continue to gradually be phased out by network operators, telcos are freeing up vital resources in the form of spectrum to support their respective 4G and 5G networks.

But before 3G came 2G. It might not seem like it now, but 2G was an important transition for the mobile industry, as it marked the beginning of the digital era, moving away from the analog 1G networks that came before it.

2G heralded the beginning of the data era, and introduced SMS (Short Message Service), something that is probably an afterthought for most people now, given the instant messaging services such as WhatsApp or iMessage that are used.

Finnish telco, Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) won the 2G race, launching the first commercial service in 1991.

While it was revolutionary at the time, 2G is now outdated and largely underused, some 30-plus years later.

An Opensignal report last year revealed that Luxembourg has the highest time spent on 2G networks at 4.5 percent, showing just how little the network is used. In the UK, the number is as low as 1.7 percent.

Time to let go of 2G

Operators are now firmly focused on the here-and-now technologies, such as 4G and 5G, given that these technologies are significantly better suited to meeting the data demands of customers.

Luciana Camargos, head of spectrum at the GSMA, told DCD that it makes no sense for telcos to operate 2G along with 3,4, and 5G.

“The operators that have implemented 5G have four technologies on the go at the same time. That’s an extremely costly way of keeping a network and extremely inefficient usage of spectrum, so the ability to shut down networks is very important,” says Camargos. “You have to upgrade. You can’t hold really old services for that long.”

Telcos across the world understand this, she notes. Several have outlined switch-off dates for their respective 2G networks, usually with plenty of preparation time, to migrate those few away who still use 2G.

“That discussion happens differently in different parts of the world, with regulators talking to operators to be able to enable that. It needs to be something that is a conversation that happens on both parties, so the customers don’t suffer. You have to plan for it,” adds Camargos.

Why has 3G gone first?

Despite launching a decade or so later than 2G, most telcos have focused their attention on phasing out 3G networks first.

Most telcos have either switched off their 3G network altogether or have plans to do so in the next year. Notably, in the US, all of the ‘Big 3’ carriers have bid farewell to the network, while in the UK, EE and Vodafone have retired 3G. Virgin Media O2 aims to do so next year. Three, recently acquired by Vodafone as part of a JV, also expects to finalize its 3G shutdown soon.

But while 3G focused more on pushing the boundaries of mobile data, enabling use cases such as Internet browsing and video streaming, it doesn’t offer anything that 4G or 5G can’t.

It’s because of this that 3G was easier to replace. As for 2G, it’s used for some early smart meters and Internet of Things, and M2M services, many of which still rely on 2G for support.

Although a lot of telcos have switched off 3G, not many operators have done the same with 2G, with Japan a rare exception, with the country retiring its 2G network back in 2012.

DCD covered the 3G shutdown more than three years ago. At that time, Paul Bullock, group chief product officer, Wireless Logic, noted that it was easier to retire 3G from a revenue and a direct impact point of view, given the small amount of 3G devices.

“3G was easier to do because there’s no such thing as a 3G-only device, or almost no such thing. Even when 3G came out in the IoT world, nobody was buying 3G because 2G did the job and it was cheap,” says Bullock, speaking in 2025.

There are millions of devices out there that still rely on these 2G networks, such as telecare systems, security alarms, and emergency alert devices. Such devices will end up obsolete once 2G networks are phased out.

He explains that, for some telcos, it doesn’t make sense to switch off 2G services, as some of these devices can still generate revenues.

“When you have things that have a power supply and last a long time, like a smart meter, it’s a much bigger deal, so personally, I think that has a lot to do with why the UK schedule for 2G retirement is around 2033,” he says, explaining that planning ahead of time is crucial to minimizing disruption.

“Nobody has a 2G phone, and so keeping this alive is really only just for IoT. And if these networks didn’t have a lot of 2G connections in IoT, they would have shut down 2G a lot faster.”

Only when it becomes more expensive to run the network than what’s being generated from 2G, will telcos look to phase out the technology, he adds.

In an MTN Consulting report, if telcos were to have 2G/3G/4G/5G base stations, it’s estimated that 24 percent extra energy is consumed through holding on to the 2G and 3G layers within these base stations.

“You have some operators that don’t have a massive number of 2G devices on the network, so it’s not an economic hit for them to turn it off, and some that do, so these prolong that revenue stream as long as possible,” says Bullock.

“Help, I’m stuck in the lift!”

The impact around IoT networks appears to be the biggest fear for the industry for the 2G shutdown, with the impact largely felt by other industries, not necessarily telecoms.

One notable example is in France, where the telecoms providers in the country have outlined ambitions to phase out the technology as soon as next year.

These plans have been met with some backlash, amid concerns that it’s too soon to pull the plug. One such group is the Fédération des Ascenseurs, a body with represents the French elevator federation.

The group has warned that many emergency call systems in elevators will stop transmitting, with people potentially being stuck in these lifts without access to call for help. According to the group, the schedule for the switch-off is “too tight.”

“Approximately 230,000 elevators (2G) and nearly 60,000 (3G) require an alarm system update, out of a total of 650,000 elevators in France. If the 2G network is switched off and the telealarm system has not been updated, the connection to the emergency call center will no longer be established,” the group said to DCD in a statement.

In an interview with Lefigaro earlier this year, Alain Meslier, president of the federation, lamented the operators’ plans to end 2G next year, just four years after announcing the plans.

“Four years is very short. It was seven years in all other European countries,” he said. “The elevator company will not be held responsible if someone is trapped without a working emergency alarm system. We are simply the operators.”

As such, elevator operators in France are in a race against time to upgrade 2G systems to 4G, which the federation says is costly.

“Replacing gateways alone generally costs several hundred euros to upgrade from 2G to 4G, requiring around half a day of work,” the group says. “In some cases, a full telealarm replacement may be necessary if the existing system is not compatible with 4G or 5G technologies.”

The group is also concerned about the demands of this migration on its 17,000 to 20,000 elevator maintenance technicians, which it states “already handle substantial workloads.”

Across the Channel in the UK, the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is also concerned that the shutdown of legacy networks could leave some behind. The group estimates that 19 million UK adults experience one or more forms of digital poverty. “As the UK moves toward retiring its 2G and 3G networks, we cannot allow progress to come at the cost of connection,” says Elizabeth Anderson, Digital Poverty Alliance CEO.

“The people most at risk are often those least able to upgrade – older adults, those on low incomes, and individuals who depend on telecare for safety. Unless action is taken now, the switch-off could disconnect exactly those who rely on these systems the most.”

What the telcos say

Understandably, the network carriers are looking ahead to the future, with 4G and 5G the main focus.

According to these telcos, the ability to retire legacy networks is a no-brainer, given the limited amount of data that travels over these networks.

Vodafone UK aims to retire 2G by 2030, saying it will do so gradually in phases.

The operator declined to speak with DCD when asked about its planned switch-off, but did state at the time of its announcement that “network operation and maintenance costs will decrease as legacy equipment required for 2G can be recycled, which may also make physical space available for new equipment at Vodafone’s mobile sites.

In France, Orange is looking to kill off its 2G network even sooner, by the end of 2026. In contrast, Orange’s 3G network won’t go until 2028.

The carrier notes that its switch off of 2G is necessary to ensure its overall network is “faster, more efficient, and safer.” According to the telco, it will also help reduce energy consumption.

“Modernizing our fixed and mobile networks is central to our strategy. With the planned phase-out of 2G in 2026 and 3G by the end of 2028, Orange will guide all customers to 4G and 5G,” says Bénédicte Javelot, EVP strategic projects & development at Orange.

Orange says it expects to fully shut down its 2G and 3G networks across all of its European markets by 2030.

“Don’t forget about us”

There’s an acceptance from all quarters that newer technologies are part and parcel of the evolution of mobile networks.

But that doesn’t stop the fear that comes from the likes of the DPA is that some will be left behind.

“Without targeted support, millions risk being disconnected from essential services, communication, and opportunity,” the DPA notes in its report.

Nothing lasts forever, even a given generation of mobile networks.

That said, don’t expect to see 4G networks phased out anytime soon, as Bullock jokes, that conversation will take place when he’s retired.