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Writer's pictureSusie S

2G / 3G Network Shutdown Status and Challenges

Mobile Network operators shutting down 3G and in some cases, 2G has been a long time coming. Operators across the world have either already shut down their 2G and 3G or planning to do so in the near future. Up until now, we had several new technologies co-existing with legacy technologies, but it is becoming more complex for Carriers to manage and manufacturers to support.


According to GSAs latest report July 2024 ,192 operators in 68 countries and territories have completed, planned, or are in the process of switching off their 2G and 3G networks. Of those 93 operators across 52 countries have either completed or planned 2G switch-offs, and 96 operators across 46 countries have either completed, planned, or are in the process of closing 3G.


Back in October 2022, we reported that 142 operators in 56 countries have either completed, planned, or are in progress with 2G/3G switch offs according to Global Mobile Suppliers Association 2022. Of those 51 operators have been completed already, 97 are planned, and 8 are in progress.


So in less than 2 years, there has been a lot of progress in 2G/3G Network Shutdown.


Europe seems to lead in the number of switch-offs, followed by Asia and North America, although its share has decreased since December 2023.


As legacy technologies are sunset operators continue with their upgrades to both 4G and 5G technology. According to GSA 9.7% will be upgrading to LTE only;

7.6% will be moving to 5G, the same proportion to 3G and LTE; and 1.2% will be upgrading to 3G, 4G, and 5G.



SmartViser GSA report new technology adoption

Source: 2024 Global Mobile Suppliers Association



 

Global Picture for 2G


SmartViser GSA 2G Network Shutdowns

Source 2024 Global Mobile Suppliers Association



Global Picture for 3G

SmartViser GSA 3G Network shutdowns

Source 2024 Global Mobile Suppliers Association



In Europe, 3G is expected to be switched off before 2G. Around 19 operators are planning to switch off their 3G Network by 2025 and around eight operators are planning to switch off their 2G network by 2025. June 2021 brought the shutdown of 3G in two operators in Germany Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom. Telefonica is also expected to shut down 3G by the end of 2021. In other countries, Telia will look to close 3G in all their countries between 2022 and 2025 and EE will be the first UK network to announce the shutdown of 3G. A detailed breakdown is available in the table below.


For Asia, 2G in countries like Japan was phased out a long time ago. The trend will continue with other countries and operators. A detailed breakdown is available.


The Americas especially the US is shutting down 2G networks on an accelerated scale. 3G Network will be shut down by all main operators by 2022. Around 15 operators in 7 countries have announced the closure of 2G by the end of 2025. A detailed breakdown is available in the table below.


For Oceania, 2G is almost phased out. In Australia all 3 operators have shut down their 2G by the end of 2018 and 3G is on the way with Telstra the only one announcing a timeline for the end of 2024.A detailed breakdown is available in the table below.


Africa is the only region where no 2G or 3G shutdowns have been announced so far but it will be part of future planning once newer technologies penetrate more.

SmartViser Network 2G 3G sunset report


What 2G/ 3G shutdowns will mean for end-users?


This will force/encourage people to upgrade their phones to 4G. Many Operators seem to suggest that 2G in Europe will be around until 2030 and this is mainly due to implications of the M2M and IoT applications. In particular, the EU-mandated eCall, where long term agreements are in place, will need to be supported by the 2G technology before the work towards migration to IMS voice is fully completed.


There are several drivers behind this change.

  1. Reuse of frequencies for new technology deployments like 4G and 5G. Most 2G use 850, 900, 1,800 or 1,900 MHz frequency bands. The sub-1 GHz bands, are very valuable due to their propagation characteristics, especially delivering greater coverage and in-building penetration.

  2. Reduce costs and effort in maintaining legacy radio networks

  3. Lower the energy consumption of the network. Vodafone New Zealand has announced back in 2019 that they are expecting around 10% savings in power consumption from migrating away from 2G and 3G technologies.

  4. Simplify the network operation


This 2G and 3G network closure change are bringing several challenges to device manufacturers, Carriers/Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Virtual Network Operators.


What will this mean for Smartphone Manufacturers?


IMS (VoLTE & VoWiFi) will need to now be enabled by default on all devices. This will add additional testing requirements to ensure smooth interoperability on all networks to enable end-users to benefit from the latest technology and not rely on legacy technology. Testing on Roaming conditions should also be taken into account to ensure end-users Quality of Experience when using data or voice services.



SmartViser MNOs network sunset impact


What will this mean for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)?

MNOs will significantly reduce some of the operational costs by the 2G/3G shutdown, but they will need to ensure they have substantial capacity and coverage for new technology like VoLTE. It will cause a major impact on the Quality of Experience and brand loyalty if end users cannot use VoLTE in areas where there is no longer 3G coverage and have to rely on 2G voice. This will have a very negative impact on the user experience.


To ensure a smooth transition Quality of Service should be maintained during and after the transition. MNOs will need to enhance their IMS voice and ensure the service is available for all their customers under post-paid and prepaid in-home network or roaming conditions.



SmartViser 2G 3G Network Sunsets

What will this mean for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)?


MVNOs are expected to be majorly affected by legacy networks shut down. Dish US MVNO highlighted in early March 2021 that the T-Mobile US legacy CDMA network shutdown will cause significant disruption and they will need to accelerate efforts and invest more heavily for an earlier than expected upgrade.


MVNOs across the world will need to ensure upgrades and IMS support (VoLTE/VoWiFi) including on home and roaming conditions. For some, the new SIMS will be required as well as available devices that support IMS functionality.


SmartViser MVNO impact Networks sunsets


Countries/Territories with VoLTE Service


SmartViser Volte map

Status of European Network 2G/3G ShutdownsC


​Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

Albania

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed 2022

Austria

A1

​

By end 2025

Austria

T-Mobile

​

By end 2024

​Belgium

Orange

By end 2030

By end 2025

Belgium

Telenet

​

By end 2024

Bulgaria

A1

​

By end 2025

​Croatia

T-Mobile

​

Closed 2022

Czech Republic

T-Mobile

By end 2025

Closed 2021

Czech Republic

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed 2021

Czech Republic

O2

By end 2025

Closed 2021

Denmark

Telenor

By end 2025

Closed 2022

Denmark

Hi3G

No Service

By the end 2025

Denmark

Telia

​By end 2025

Started 2021/By end of 2025

Denmark

TDC

​

By end 2023

Estonia

Telia

By end 2025

By end 2023

Estonia

Elisa

​

No update yet

Finland

Elisa

​

By end 2023

Finland

Telia

By end 2025

By end 2023

Finland

DNA

By end 2025

By end 2023

France

Orange

By end 2025

By end 2028

France

SFR

By end 2023

​

France

Bougues Telecom

​

No update


Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

Germany

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed 2021

Germany

Telefonica

​

Closed 2021

Germany

Deutsche Telekom

​

Closed Jun 2021

Greece

Wind


By end 2022

Greece

Cosmote

​

Closed 2022

Greece

Vodafone

By end 2025

By end 2022

Hungary

T-Mobile


Hungary

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed 2022

Ireland

Vodafone

By end 2025

By end 2023

Ireland

Three

​

By end 2023

Italy

TIM

​

By end 2022

Italy

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed 2021

Latvia

Latvijas Mobilais Telefons

​

By end 2022

Latvia

Tele2

By end 2025

By end 2022

Latvia

Telia

​

By end 2022

Lithuania

Telia

By end 2025

By end 2022

Lithuania

Bite

By end 2028

By end 2025

Luxembourg

Orange

By end 2030

By end 2025

Luxembourg

Post

​

Q3 2022

Malta

EPIC

By end 2025

​

Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

​Netherlands

​KPN


Closed Mar 2022

Netherlands

Vodafone

By end 2025

Closed Feb 2020

Norway

Telenor

By end 2025

By end 2021

Norway

Telia

By end 2025

Closed Dec 2021

Poland

T-Mobile

By end 2025

By end 2023

​Portugal

Vodafone

By end 2025

By end 2023

​Romania

Vodafone

By end 2025

​

​Russia

Tele2

​

By end 2025

​Slovakia

Telekom

​

By end 2021

Spain

Orange

By end 2030

By end 2025

​Spain

Telefonica

​

By end 2025

​Spain

Vodafone

By end 2025

​

​​Sweden

Tele2

By end 2025

By end 2023

​Sweden

Telia

By end 2025

By end 2023

​Sweden

Telenor

By end 2025

By end 2025

Switzerland

Sunrise

By end 2021

By end 2024

​Switzerland

Swisscom

Closed 2021

By end 2025

Switzerland

Salt

Closed 2022

​

Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

United Kingdom

EE

By end 2029

By end 2024

United Kingdom

Vodafone

By end 2026

By end 2023

United Kingdom

3

-

By end 2024

United Kingdom

O2

By end 2033

By end 2033

United Kingdom

BT

By end 2024

By end 2023


Status of North America Network 2G/3G Shutdowns

Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

US

AT&T

Closed in 2017

Closed 2022

US

Sprint

Closed 2021

By 31st March 2022

US

T-Mobile

Closed 2020

By 1st of July 2022

US

Verizon

Closed 2020

By end 2022

Canada

Rogers

Closed 2021

​

Canada

SaskTel

Closed 2017

​


Status of Oceania Network 2G/3G Shutdowns

Country

Network Operator

2G

3G

Australia

Telstra

Closed 2017

By end 2024

Australia

Optus

Closed 2017

By end 2023

​Australia

Vodafone

Closed 2018

​

New Zealand

Vodafone

By end 2025

​

New Zealand

NZLNH

​

Closed 2018

Please note that data has been collected during July 2024 from various sources and is subject to change based on each Mobile Network Operator's schedule and timelines.

3G


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How can SmartViser Help?


OPTION 1 - Test Automation


Empower your team with the Test Automation Solution viSer to ensure superior Quality of Service QoS and Quality of Experience QoE.


Test all key functions like VoLTE, VoWiFi, Data throughput, Audio MOS, Battery performance etc in live network or roaming conditions:

SmartViser viSer Test Automation capabilities


OPTION 2 - Test Services


Testing as a Service. Send us your devices in one or multiple locations across Europe. You no longer need to arrange and schedule travel for your staff. We can propose Network Test interoperability and test VoLTE/VoWiFi across any network in Europe.


Our team of expert Test Engineers will provide logs to help the speedy resolution of issues and the test automation viSer will ensure greater testing scope in shorter times.



 
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SmartViser Susie Siouti CCO

Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service with the introduction of innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and in that time has led teams across the world mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings a diverse set of skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation.


Susie joined SmartViser in 2016, is part of the internal steering committee, responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

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