The global transition away from 2G and 3G networks is gathering pace as operators seek to modernise infrastructure and reallocate spectrum for faster 4G and 5G technologies, with 174 operators in 67 markets having started 3G switch-offs, of which 102 have completed the transition, according to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).
In the 2G and 3G switch-off report, the GSA identified 313 operators that have completed, planned or in-progress with 2G and 3G switch-offs in 89 countries and territories. Moreover, the GSA said that continuing interest and investment in this strategy is allowing the refarming of spectrum to add capacity for LTE and 5G, and reduces the energy used to operate networks that have relatively little traffic.
“When they were first introduced to the market, 2G and 3G were highly important innovations, but as greater technological advances have emerged, their importance has waned and usage of both technologies is now diminishing worldwide,” said Joe Barrett, president of Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). “As a result, many operators, regulators and governments are determining that the older 2G and 3G technologies should be switched off for the faster, more efficient and more secure LTE and 5G networks.”
Out of the 313 operators, 139 operators in 70 markets have completed or planned 2G shutdowns, with 56 of these already finalised. Some 174 operators in 67 markets have started 3G switch-offs, of which 102 have completed the transition. Almost half (58%) of operators retiring older networks are upgrading to both 4G and 5G. A total of 27 operators had retired both their 2G and 3G networks.
GSA data also confirmed that 2G and 3G switch-offs are occurring in most regions, with government, regulator and operator groups increasingly attempting to set specific switch-off dates designed to encourage the switch-off of 2G and 3G in 2026 and beyond.
The report found that some 2G and 3G switch-offs are led by operator group targets, while others are mandated by government and regulators to encourage the shift to newer networks that are more energy efficient and to allow spectrum to be reallocated. Operators were continuing to outline plans to retire their 2G and 3G networks, although some have not met their initial targets.
All of this, said the GSA, underlined the challenges accompanying this process, particularly for machine-to-machine and internet of things (IoT) connections where some industries have very long device replacement cycles.
Looking at specific regions, the study identified Europe as leading in global switch-off activity, accounting for 43% of all cases, followed by Asia (26%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (9%).
In an example of a major operator leading the way in Europe, in December 2021, the UK government and the leading UK mobile network operators (MNOs) – Vodafone, EE, Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) and Three – agreed on 2033 as the year by which all public 2G and 3G networks in the UK will be switched off to free up and reallocate the required amount of spectrum to allow for the mass roll-out of more efficient 4G and 5G services and other future networks, such as 6G.
In 2025, VMO2 named the city of Durham as the first area in the UK where its 3G services would be switched off. The operator had first announced in September 2023 that part of its plan to evolve its network to enhance customer experience and improve services, it was pulling the plug on legacy mobile.
