Estonian mobile carrier Elisa will retire its 2G network in 2028.

It will bring an end to a network that Elisa has ran for more than 30 years, as the company diverts its focus to its 4G and 5G networks.

The announcement comes a couple of years after the telco completed its 3G network shutdown.

Elisa described its 2G service as “obsolete,” while stating that it will refarm the frequencies to develop more modern, secure, and energy-efficient mobile networks.

2G has lasted longer than 3G devices due to the fact that a lot of IoT networks use 2G networks, such as security and alarm systems, electricity and water meters, payment terminals, and various industrial and property automation devices.

“2G was created at a time when the main function of a mobile phone was to make calls and send messages. Today, the role of communication networks and the requirements placed on them have changed beyond recognition. 4G and 5G make it possible to provide more secure, reliable and energy-efficient communications and use limited frequency resources much more efficiently,” said Toomas Polli, chief technology officer, Elisa.

Polli added that the switch-off won’t impact a vast number of users, though the company is reviewing those that will be affected.

A number of carriers have outlined plans to retire 2G in the coming years, including Virgin Media O2 in the UK, which aims to retire the service from 2029, with rival VodafoneThree doing the same a year later.

Some carriers have already retired 2G, including T-Mobile, which did so over the summer.