2G and 3G switch-off: What does this mean for the IoT?

• Mobile network operators around the world are phasing out 2G and 3G to free up spectrum for new technologies such as 4G, 5G, NB-IoT, and LTE-M.
  
• In Germany, 3G has already been completely phased out; 2G will remain in service until the end of 2030 at the latest and will be permanently shut down starting in 2031.
  
• Some countries, including the United States, Switzerland, and Australia, have already completely shut down 2G and 3G. In most EU countries, one of the two technologies is still available. By 2033, virtually all EU countries will have shut down both 2G and 3G.
• Exception for critical IoT applications: For connected elevator systems, emergency call technology (e.g., eCall), or alarm systems, the 2G network will remain available for a little longer. However, starting in January 2031, the complete dismantling of the 2G infrastructure will begin.

Since the 1990s, the GSM network (2G) has formed the foundation of mobile communication, supplemented by UMTS (3G) starting in 2000. Technology has since advanced significantly: 4G (LTE) is now the standard, and 5G has also been largely rolled out. Older generations such as 2G and 3G have long been considered obsolete and are therefore being phased out step by step by mobile network operators.

The goal is to use available frequencies more efficiently: Network operators such as Deutsche Telekom are specifically using the freed-up spectrum—such as the 900 MHz band—to further expand 4G and 5G, particularly in rural areas. This creates space for modern applications, higher bandwidths, and future-proof network coverage.

When will 2G be switched off in Germany?

• Deutsche Telekom has announced that it will completely shut down its 2G (GSM) network by the summer of 2028. The 900 MHz spectrum currently in use will be repurposed for modern technologies such as 4G and 5G. 
  
• According to Telekom, regions that currently have 2G coverage but not yet 4G coverage are to be provided with 4G/5G service even before the 2G shutdown, in order to avoid gaps in network coverage.
  
• According to an announcement made in early June 2026, Telefónica Deutschland will shut down its 2G network in the second half of 2028.
  
• Vodafone originally planned to shut down its 2G network in Germany by the end of 2030. However, in September 2025, the company announced that it would shut down its 2G network earlier. Starting in September 2028, the 2G service for traditional voice calls will be discontinued; from that point on, phone calls will only be possible via 4G (VoLTE) or 5G.
• Exception for critical IoT applications: For connected elevator systems, emergency call technology (e.g., eCall), or alarm systems, the 2G network will remain available for a little longer. However, the complete dismantling of the 2G infrastructure for these applications will begin in January 2031.

When will 3G be switched off in Germany?

In Germany, all mobile network operators (Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2) have already implemented the 3G switch-off in 2021. Since then, access via UMTS is no longer possible. Devices that only support 3G will no longer have a connection without hardware adjustments.
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The shutdown of 2G and 3G networks is not a uniquely German issue; network operators around the world are switching to modern technologies. Their approaches vary: While some countries first took the 3G network offline, other regions are focusing on the 2G shutdown. 

In Switzerland, Swisscom and Sunrise have already completely shut down 2G and 3G and migrated to 4G and 5G. The same applies to the U.S. There, AT&T’s 2G network was shut down as early as 2017, with T-Mobile following suit at the end of 2021. For the 3G network, the order was reversed: T-Mobile discontinued the service as early as 2020, while AT&T shut down 3G in 2022. In other countries, such as Australia and the Netherlands, both technologies have already been fully shut down in some areas. Companies with IoT devices deployed internationally should check their hardware early on and switch to 4G, 5G, or LPWAN-capable solutions.
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Some EU countries have already made specific announcements regarding the phase-out dates for 2G and 3G, and in some cases, a particular technology has already been completely phased out. These include, for example:

• Austria: A1 Telekom Austria has announced that it will shut down its 2G network in May 2028. Magenta Telekom plans to shut down its network in 2030 at the earliest, while Drei has not yet set a date. The 3G network has already been completely phased out in Austria.
  
• Switzerland: 2G has been completely phased out since 2023, and in early 2026, the last network operator (Sunrise) shut down its 3G networks.
  
• Netherlands: 3G has already been completely shut down, and 2G will be phased out gradually by the end of 2027.
• Belgium: While 3G was phased out in Belgium as early as mid-2025, 2G is expected to remain in service until the end of 2030.
• Poland: 2G will remain in service in Poland until the end of 2030; 3G has already been phased out.
• Slovakia: Like Belgium, Slovakia will continue to operate its 2G network until the end of 2030 and has completely shut down its 3G network.
• Romania: Romania will continue to operate its 2G network until the end of 2030; the 3G network was fully shut down at the end of 2025.
• Sweden: All four major mobile network operators in Sweden (Telia, Tele2, Telenor, and Tre) have shut down their outdated 2G and 3G networks as scheduled by the end of 2025.
• Norway: The Norwegians, too , will no longer have any 2G or 3G networks in operation by the end of 2025 and will have shut down all such networks.
• Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, and Hungary have already completely phased out 2G and 3G.

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

The shutdown of 2G and 3G has a direct impact on the connectivity of IoT devices: if the relevant network is no longer available, it can no longer be used. Devices that support only 2G or 3G will therefore lose their connection—permanently. This affects, for example, older alarm systems, home emergency call systems, or automatic emergency calls (eCall) in vehicles. Without technical upgrades, these systems will no longer function reliably in an emergency. Only devices that support 4G, 5G, or LPWAN standards will remain online and operational after the shutdown.

Impact of the 2G shutdown on emergency services
In Germany, 2G is frequently used for emergency applications such as elevator emergency calls or home emergency call systems. Before the 2G shutdown, it must be ensured that these services also function reliably via newer technologies such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE). This is required by law and is the main reason why 2G, unlike 3G, has not yet been completely shut down.

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

The shutdown primarily affects the device itself, not the SIM card. Modern M2M SIM cards, such as those from WhereverSIM, have long supported 4G, 5G, and LPWAN standards. The key factor, therefore, is whether the device or hardware being used is also capable of utilizing these technologies.

Anyone using SIM cards in older devices should check whether they are also 4G or 5G-capable. If not, depending on the device, there are retrofit solutions available, such as a modem or firmware upgrade. Information on whether a device is compatible and what options are available can usually be found in the technical documentation or directly through the manufacturer’s product support.

Why are some 4G devices also affected by the shutdown?

Many companies assume that their devices are automatically future-proof as long as they support 4G. In practice, however, this is not always the case. Older LTE devices, in particular, often use 4G only for data transmission, while voice calls and emergency call functions continue to be routed through the 2G network.

The reason: Many devices do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE). In such cases, voice services fall back to the 2G network. If 2G is shut down, voice and emergency call functions may no longer work reliably, even though the device is fundamentally LTE-capable.

Among others, the following may be affected:
- Elevator emergency call systems
- Home emergency call and alarm systems
- Vehicle telematics and eCall systems
- Industrial gateways with voice functionality as well as
- Older LTE routers and communication modules.

Especially for safety-critical applications, it is therefore important to verify not only whether a device supports 4G, but also whether VoLTE and modern network technologies are fully supported, or whether a 2G fallback is still in effect.

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

When our M2M SIM cards are in use in a device, no action is required on the SIM side regarding the shutdown of 2G and 3G: Our SIM cards support 4G and 5G networks worldwide. As soon as a network is available via roaming and belongs to the subscribed rate zone, it is automatically used—without any adjustments needed on the part of our customers.

However, the key factor is whether end devices are 4G or 5G-capable. Older hardware, in particular, runs the risk of supporting only 2G or 3G. Since there is no backward compatibility between 4G networks and pure 2G/3G devices, these devices will otherwise lose their connection and remain offline.

Unsure if your devices are affected? Our team of M2M experts is happy to help—including recommendations for suitable hardware through our partner network.
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What comes after 2G? The role of 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT

With the shutdown of 2G and 3G, the focus is shifting to modern mobile communications standards. Technologies such as 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT are specifically tailored to the requirements of IoT applications.

5Gfor complex real-time applications
‍5G offers extremely low latency, high data rates and the ability to network millions of devices simultaneously. Ideal for IoT scenarios with high data volumes or real-time requirements, for example in industry, autonomous vehicles or traffic control.

LTE-Mfor mobile, energy-efficient devices
‍LTE-M is a low-power, long-range mobile radio solution - perfect for connected meters, trackers and wearables. The technology supports mobility, SIM roaming and is particularly attractive for scalable IoT projects due to its low operating costs.

NB-IoTfor simple sensor technology and difficult environments
‍NB-IoT scores with extremely low energy consumption and reliable connectivity even in buildings, basements or remote regions. This makes the technology particularly suitable for stationary devices such as water, gas or temperature sensors with low data rates.

Convert now to stay connected

The phase-out of 2G and 3G is not a distant prospect—it’s already happening. By upgrading your IoT devices to modern mobile communication standards such as 4G, 5G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT in a timely manner, you’ll ensure they remain connected and operational in the long term. Our SIM cards support all relevant technologies, and our team is happy to assist with the transition. So your devices can continue to communicate reliably well into the future.

Author:

Laura Gaber

Date:

29.10.2024

Updated:

20.05.2026

Laura Gaber, M.Sc., is a communications and marketing expert with roots in the solar industry and a penchant for complex technologies. After several years at EU level in the field of renewable energies, she switched to the world of IoT communication in 2016. Since then, she has been driving forward topics relating to digitalization, M2M and connected energy with a strategic eye and clear language. A firm believer in agile working methods, she loves speed, technology and good stories.