Global 2G and 3G Phase Out / Sunset: What Do We Know So Far?

With increasing 4G proliferation and 5G already being rolled out in some regions, network operators’ focus has been shifting away from GSM and UMTS networks for quite some time now to free up frequencies for the new technologies.

The move away from legacy technologies will undoubtedly be a significant transition for many IoT and M2M companies, because 2G and 3G connectivity is still the most used technologies for deployed devices. 

With this in mind, we take an overview look at how the global 2G and 3G sunset is progressing. With no global roadmap for phasing-out 2G or 3G, our overview will focus on the state of play by region: Asia, Australia & Oceania, Europe, Africa, North-America, Central and South-America.

Asia

East Asia is leading the way in regard to switching-off 2G networks. In certain countries in the region, such as Japan, Macau, Singapore and South Korea, there is no 2G available at all. In Taiwan and Thailand, the major network operators have already phased out 2G with some operators in those countries still offering 2G services for a limited time.

Oceania

Vodafone New Zealand still operates a 2G network with no switch-off date having been announced. However, in Australia, Vodafone switched off its 2G network on 30^th June 2018.

Europe

In some European countries it could be the case where 2G may even outlive 3G, UMTS. Norwegian MNO Telenor announced 3G switch-off in 2020 – five years before 2G.

Vodafone has announced it is to phase-out 3G networks across Europe in 2020 and 2021 while Deutsche Telekom plans to continue 3G, UMTS until the end of 2020. However, there are no plans by either Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom or Telefonica for 2G switch off.

*UMTS900 to remain in operation while UMTS2100 will be gradually wound down until switch-off date

North America

As of 2020, there will be no 2G network available in North America.

Africa, Central America and South America

These markets are less developed than those above, and as such will not lead the way when it comes to refarming spectrum to accommodate LTE. There is no mass switch off of 2G in these regions expected until 2020.

Please note: All information in this article has been gathered from open sources at best effort. EMnify takes no liability regarding the correctness.