Skip to main content

This is a heading and can be in multiple lines

But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings.

Country

See results

Find out when networks will phase out 2G/3G

Country Network Service Closure Details
Albania Vodafone - Albania 2G Dec-2025
Argentina AMX Argentina 2G Dec-2023 2G network closed in 2023
Argentina AMX Argentina 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Argentina Telecom Argentina 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Australia Vodafone Australia 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Australia Vodafone Australia 2G Jan-2018 2G network closed in 2018
Australia TPG Telecom 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Australia Telstra 3G Jun-2024

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Australia Optus 2G Jan-2017 2G network closed in 2017
Australia Optus 3G Sep-2024

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Australia Telstra 2G Jan-2016 2G network closed in 2016
Austria A1 Telekom Austria 3G Dec-2023

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure. A1 will not support 3G/UMTS from Jan 2024 onwards

Austria T-Mobile Austria 3G Dec-2024

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Bahrain Zain Bahrain 3G Oct-2024

Closure begun in Jul-22 with no end date disclosed

Bahrain Zain Bahrain 3G Dec-2022

3G network closed in 2022

Bahrain Bahrain Telecommunications 2G Nov-2021 2G network closed in 2021
Bangladesh Grameenphone Ltd 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Bangladesh Grameenphone Ltd 3G Dec-2026

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Belgium Telenet 3G Sep-2024 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Belgium Telenet 2G Dec-2027

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Belgium Orange 3G Dec-2025

Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Belgium Orange 2G Dec-2030 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Belgium Proximus 3G Jan-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for 3G network closure. Inbound roaming unavailable from this date
Brazil Sercomtel 2G Jan-2016 2G network closed in 2016
Brazil Claro 2G Jan-2023

2G network closed in 2023

British Virgin Islands Digicel 2G Jul-2021

2G Network closed in 2021

Bulgaria Digicel 3G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Bulgaria Yettel Bulgaria 3G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Cambodia Smart Axiata 3G Jun-2022

3G Network closed in 2022

Canada Telus 2G Jul-2017

2G Network closed in 2017

Canada SaskTel 2G Jul-2017

2G Network closed in 2017

Canada Rogers 3G Jul-2025 Estimated date for full 3G network closure
Canada Eastlink 3G Dec-2019

3G network closed in 2019

Canada Rogers 2G Dec-2021

2G network closed in 2021

Canada Bell Mobility 2G Dec-2019 2G network closed in 2019
Canada Eastlink 2G Dec-2019 2G network closed in 2019
Chile Claro Chile 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Chile Claro Chile 2G Dec-2023 2G network closed in 2023
China China Unicom 3G Dec-2024 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
China China Unicom 2G Sep-2023 2G network closed in 2023 with exception of limited sites
China China Mobile 3G Dec-2020 3G network closure in 2020
China China Mobile 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Colombia Comunicacion Celular 3G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Colombia Comunicacion Celular Comcel 2G Dec-2023

2G Network closed in 2023

Colombia Colombia Movil 2G Oct-2022

2G Network closed in 2022

Costa Rica ICE 2G Jul-2024

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Costa Rica Claro CR Telecomunicaciones 2G Dec-2023

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Costa Rica Claro CR Telecomunicaciones 2G Dec-2023

2G network closed in 2023

Croatia Hrvatski Telekom 3G Jan-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Cyprus Cyta (Vodafone) 3G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Czech Republic Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Czech Republic Vodafone Czech Republic 3G Dec-2021

3G Network closed in 2021

Czech Republic T-Mobile Czech Republic 3G Dec-2021

3G Network closed in 2021

Czech Republic T-Mobile Czech Republic 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Czech Republic O2 Czech Republic 3G Dec-2021

3G Network closed in 2021

Denmark Telia 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Denmark Telia 3G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Denmark Three 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Denmark Telenor 3G Apr-2023

3G Network closed in 2023

Denmark Telenor 2G Dec-2027

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Denmark TDC 2G Dec-2029

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Denmark TDC 3G May-2023

3G Network closed in 2023

Denmark Nuuday 3G Jun-2023

3G Network closed in 2023

Denmark 3 Denmark 3G Dec-2025

3G Network closed in 2025

Dominican Republic Compañia Dominicana de Teléfonos 2G Dec-2023

2G Network closed in 2023

Ecuador Conecel 2G Dec-2023

2G Network closed in 2023

Estonia Elisa Eesti 3G Oct-2024

No commited date

Estonia Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaseits 3G Dec-2026

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Estonia Telia Eesti 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Estonia Telia Eesti 3G Dec-2023

 3G Network closed in 2023

Finland DNA 2G Dec-2025

Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure

Finland DNA 3G Jan-2024

Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure

Finland Elisa 3G Dec-2023

3G Network closed in 2023

Finland Telia Finland 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Finland Telia Finland 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Finland Ålands Telekommunikation 2G Dec-2022 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
France Orange France 2G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
France SFR 2G Dec-2026 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
France SFR 3G Dec-2028 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
France Orange France 3G Dec-2028 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
France Bouygues Télécom 2G Dec-2026 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
France Bouygues Télécom 3G Dec-2029 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Germany Deutsche Telekom 2G Jan-2028 2G Network closure in summer 2028
Germany Deutsche Telekom 3G Jan-2021

3G Network closure in 2021

Germany Telefonica Germany 2G Oct-2024 No plans announced for 2G network closure
Germany Telefonica Germany 3G Jan-2021  3G Network closure in 2021
Germany Vodafone 2G Jan-2030  Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Germany Vodafone 3G Jan-2021 3G Network closure in 2021
Greece Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic 3G May-2023  3G Network closed in 2023
Greece Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications 3G Feb-2022 3G Network closed in 2022
Greece Nova (Wind) 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Greece Nova (Wind) 3G Dec-2023 3G Network closed in 2023
Greece Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Greenland Tusass (Tele Greenland) 2G Dec-2026 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Greenland Tusass (Tele Greenland) 3G Dec-2029 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Guam DOCOMO Pacific 3G Nov-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Hong Kong China Mobile 2G Dec-2020  2G network closed in 2019
Hong Kong Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong 2G Sep-2021

2G network closed in 2021

Hong Kong SmarTone Mobile Communications 2G Oct-2022

 2G Services withdrawn in Oct 2022

Hong Kong Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) 2G Sep-2021

2G network closed in 2021

Hungary Yettel Hungary 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Hungary Yettel Hungary 3G Nov-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Hungary Vodafone Hungary 3G Jun-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Hungary Magyar Telekom 3G Jul-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Hungary Vodafone Hungary 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Iceland Sýn hf. (Vodafone) 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Iceland Siminn h.f. 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Iceland Sýn hf. (Vodafone) 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Iceland Nova 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure (no 2G network exists)
Iceland Siminn h.f. 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
India BSNL 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
India Vodafone 3G Apr-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
India Bharti Airtel Limited 2G Oct-2024 No plans announced for 2G network closure
India Bharti Airtel Limited 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2020
India Bharat Sanchar Nigam 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Indonesia XL Axiata 3G Mar-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Indonesia XL Axiata 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Indonesia PT Telekomsel 3G May-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Indonesia PT Hutchinson 3 Indonesia 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Ireland Vodafone Ireland 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Ireland Vodafone Ireland 3G Apr-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Ireland Three 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Ireland Three 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Israel Cellcom Israel 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Israel Cellcom Israel 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Israel Partner Communications 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Israel Partner Communications 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Israel Pelephone Communication 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Italy Telecom Italia 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Italy Vodafone Italia 3G Feb-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Italy Telecom Italia 3G Oct-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Italy Vodafone Italia 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Jamaica Cable & Wireless Jamaica (Flow) 2G Dec-2025 2G Services closed in 2022
Jamaica Digicel 2G Jun-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Jamaica Digicel 3G Mar-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Japan SoftBank 3G May-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Japan NTT DOCOMO 3G Mar-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Japan SoftBank 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2011
Japan NTT DOCOMO 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2011
Japan KDDI 3G Mar-2025 CDMA 3G Network closed in 2022
Jordan Umniah 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2021
Kuwait Oordeoo 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
Kuwait Oordeoo 3G Jun-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Latvia Tele2 SIA 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Latvia Latvijas Mobilais Telefons 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Liechtenstein Swisscom Ltd 2G Jan-2025 2G Services withdrawn in 2021
Liechtenstein Swisscom Ltd 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Lithuania UAB Tele2 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Lithuania Telia Lietuva 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Lithuania Bite Lithuania 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Lithuania Telia Lietuva 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Lithuania Bite Lithuania 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Luxembourg POST Luxembourg 3G Oct-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Luxembourg POST Luxembourg 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Luxembourg Orange 3G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Luxembourg Orange 2G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Malaysia U Mobile 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Malaysia Maxis Broadband 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Malaysia Digi Telecommunications 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Malaysia Celcom Axiata Berhad 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Malaysia Digi Telecommunications 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Malta Vodafone Malta 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Mexico Telcel Mexico 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Mexico Telcel Mexico 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Mexico Movistar Mexico (Telefonica) 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2021
Mexico AT&T Comercializacion Movil 2G Sep-2025 2G network closed in 2019
Myanmar Telenor Myanmar 2G Dec-2025 2G switch off estimated by end 2024
Myanmar Telenor Myanmar 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Nepal Nepal Telecom (NTC) 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Netherlands Vodafone 3G Feb-2025 3G Network closed in 2020
Netherlands Vodafone 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Netherlands Odido (T-Mobile) 3G Oct-2024 No plans announced for 3G network closure
Netherlands T-Mobile 2G Jun-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
Netherlands KPN 3G Apr-2025 3G network closed in 2022
Netherlands KPN 2G Dec-2027 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Netherlands Antilles Telcell N.V. 2G Jan-2025 2G Network closed in 2019
Netherlands Antilles Cable & Wireless - UTS (Flow) 2G Jan-2025 2G Network closed in 2019
New Caledonia Office des Postes et Telecommunications 3G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
New Zealand Vodafone New Zealand 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
New Zealand 2 degrees New Zealand (NZLNH) 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
New Zealand Vodafone New Zealand 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
New Zealand 2 degrees New Zealand (NZLNH) 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2018
New Zealand One New Zealand 3G Mar-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
New Zealand One New Zealand 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Nicaragua Empresa Nicaraguense de Telecomunicaciones 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Norway Telia Norge 3G Nov-2025 3G Network closed in 2021
Norway Telenor Norge AS 2G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for 2G network phase out
Norway Telenor Norge AS 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closure in 2021
Norway Telia Norge 2G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for 2G network phase out
Pakistan Telenor Pakistan 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Pakistan Telenor Pakistan 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Pakistan Mobilink 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2020
Pakistan Mobilink 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2020
Panama Digicel Panama 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2020
Panama Claro Panamá 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Panama Claro Panamá 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Paraguay AMX Paraguay 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Peru América Móvil Perú 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Philippines Smart Communications 3G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Poland T-Mobile Polska 3G Apr-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Poland T-Mobile Polska 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Poland Orange 3G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Poland Orange 2G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Portugal Vodafone Portugal 3G Jun-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Portugal Vodafone Portugal 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Puerto Rico T-Mobile Puerto Rico 3G Jul-2025 3G network closed in 2022
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Telephone Company 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Telephone Company 2G Mar-2025 2G network closed in 2022
Puerto Rico Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico 3G Feb-2025 3G network closed in 2022
Puerto Rico AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico 2G Jan-2025 2G network closed in 2022
Puerto Rico AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico 3G Feb-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Romania Vodafone Romania 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Romania Telekom Romania 3G Jul-2025 3G network closed in 2022
Romania Vodafone Romania 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Romania Telekom Romania 2G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Romania Orange 3G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Romania Orange 2G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Saudi Arabi Saudi Telecom Company (STC) 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Saudi Arabi Zain Saudi Arabia 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Saudi Arabi Mobility (Etihad Etisalat) 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Saudi Arabi Saudi Telecom Company (STC) 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Singapore StarHub 2G Jan-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Singapore StarHub 3G Nov-2025 3G network closure commences
Singapore Singtel 2G Jan-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Singapore Singtel 3G Nov-2025 3G network closure commences
Singapore M1 2G Jan-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Singapore M1 3G Aug-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Slovakia Slovak Telekom 3G Nov-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Slovakia Orange 2G Dec-2025 3G network closed in 2022
Slovakia Orange 3G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Slovakia O2 Slovakia 3G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Slovenia A1 Slovenija 3G Jun-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Slovenia A1 Slovenija 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
South Africa Vodafone 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
South Africa Mobile Telephone Networks 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
South Africa Telkom South Africa 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
South Africa Telkom South Africa 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
South Africa Mobile Telephone Networks 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
South Africa Cell C 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
South Africa Cell C 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
South Korea Korea Telecom 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2012
South Korea SK Telecom 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2020
Spain Vodafone 2G Jan-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Spain Vodafone 3G Oct-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Spain Orange 3G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Spain Telefonica 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Spain Orange 2G Dec-2025 Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Spain Movistar (Telefonica Spain) 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Spain Movistar (Telefonica Spain) 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Sri Lanka Dialog Axiata 3G Nov-2025 3G network closed in 2023
Sweden Telia 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2023
Sweden Telenor Sverige 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Sweden Telenor Sverige 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Sweden Telia 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Sweden Tele2 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Sweden 3 Sweden 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Sweden Tele2 2G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
Switzerland Swisscom Ltd 2G Dec-2025 2G network closed in 2020
Switzerland Swisscom Ltd 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Switzerland Sunrise Communications AG 3G Jun-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Switzerland Sunrise Communications AG 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
Switzerland Salt Mobile 2G Dec-2025 2G network closed in 2020
Taiwan Taiwan Mobile 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Taiwan Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd 2G Jun-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Taiwan Taiwan Mobile 2G Jun-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom 2G Jun-2025 2G network closed in 2017
Taiwan, Province of China Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Thailand DTAC (TriNet) 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Thailand CAT Telecom 2G Oct-2025 2G network closed in 2019
Trinidad & Tobago Digicel 3G Mar-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Trinidad & Tobago Digicel 2G Mar-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure
UAE Emirates Telecom 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
UAE Emirates Integrated Telecommunications 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
United Kingdom Vodafone CSD Oct-2024 Legacy technology - no longer supported
United Kingdom Vodafone 3G Mar-2025 3G Network closed in 2024
United Kingdom Vodafone 2G Dec-2033 Vodafone 2G network closure before 2033
United Kingdom Virgin Media O2 CSD Oct-2024 Full closure will occur end 2025 (latest); but close down in progress and service is not guaranteed. Support is best-efforts.
United Kingdom Virgin Media O2 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
United Kingdom Virgin Media O2 2G Dec-2033 O2 2G network closure before 2033
United Kingdom Three 3G Dec-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure with work commencing in some regions in early 2023
United Kingdom EE 3G Mar-2025 3G Network closed in 2024
United Kingdom EE 2G Dec-2033 EE 2G network closure before 2033
United States Verizon 3G Dec-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
United States Verizon 2G Dec-2025 Shut down its 2G CDMA network at end 2020
United States T-Mobile 3G Jul-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
United States T-Mobile 2G Oct-2024 Planned Closure
United States Sprint 3G Jul-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
United States Sprint 2G Jan-2025 CDMA 2G Network closed in 2022
United States AT&T 2G Jan-2025 2G network closed in 2017
United States AT&T 3G Feb-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Uruguay AM Wireless Uruguay 2G Dec-2025 2G Network closed in 2023
Vietnam Viettel 3G Jun-2025 3G Network closed in 2022
Vietnam Viettel 3G Jun-2025 Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure
Vietnam VNPT 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Vietnam Vietnamobile 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Vietnam Viettel 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Vietnam Mobifone 2G Mar-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
Vietnam GTEL Mobile 2G Jan-2025 2G Network closed in 2022
5G_Header_3200-scaled

5G for IoT applications

Discover more about the opportunities that 5G is bringing.

5G and your IoT project

5G is heralded as a transformational technology for the IoT, so what will the realities and opportunities be for IoT project owners?

What is 5G and what does it mean for the IoT?

5G is the latest generation of cellular connectivity and is ultimately likely to be the most transformational for economies and societies around the world. Whereas 3G and 4G were predominantly built to improve speed and bandwidth, 5G will deliver benefits that will enable a multitude of new use cases in the world of IoT.

5G signals have a short range compared to 2G, 3G, 4G and cellular LPWAN technologies, meaning more masts are needed so coverage is currently focused around major cities. However, global 5G deployments are accelerating with countries such as China and South Korea leading the charge.  The GSMA forecast that 40% of the world’s population will have coverage by 2025.

5G_Para_Image_600_1
5G_Para_Image_600_5

5G is about more than just speed

With global standards still to be agreed for full 5G network cores, operators across the world are currently upgrading masts for 5G radio – delivering a ‘lite’ version of 5G.  5G ‘lite’ will bring some of the enhanced mobile broadband benefits of 5G (speed and latency), but not some of the advanced features such as network slicing.  It’s likely that we won’t see full 5G network capability widely until 2022.

Think of “5G lite” as having a ‘5G’ Ferrari, but only being able to drive it on country roads! To really achieve the full benefits of 5G, the network core needs to support all the features, functions & benefits available… letting you take your 5G Ferrari to the race track!

Where does 5G fit against other connectivity technologies?

5G-Diagram-2280

 

5 ways in which full 5G is transforming the IoT

Faster speeds_5G

Faster speeds & higher bandwidth

Complementing fixed line connectivity or as a high performance alternative.

Ultra-low latency_5G

Ultra-low latency & ultra-high reliability

Enabling mission critical applications that require ultra-low latency.

 

Connecting huge numbers_5G

Connecting huge numbers of devices

Connecting vast numbers of devices concurrently through ‘Massive IoT’.

Advanced critical comms_5G

Advanced critical communications

Capabilities such as network slicing, edge computing and vehicle to vehicle (V2V).

Advanced security _5G

Advanced security & private LTE networks

High levels of security for devices and data and private LTE networks.

What applications and new opportunities is 5G enabling?

Applications utilising the enhanced mobile broadband capabilities of ‘5G lite’ are likely to be the early adopters, but full 5G is opening up a new set of applications and opportunities.  Here are some examples:

ISPs and Cloud Services Providers

ISPs & Cloud services providers


Enhancing SD-WAN and MPLS networks, using the faster, more resilient and higher bandwidth 5G for fixed line failover and rapid deployment.

Public Transport Wifi

Public transport WiFi

Enhancing the speed and bandwidth of public WiFi on trains, buses and other forms of public transport.

CCTV and surveillance

CCTV & surveillance

Ultra-high definition (8k) streaming will enable augmentation of high resolution CCTV feeds for applications such as social distancing analysis.

Retail Advertising

Retail advertising

Low latency and edge computing will enable real-time immersive advertising opportunities for media/content providers.

Live broadcasting

Live broadcasting

Reliability and increased bandwidth make high quality, real-time broadcasting a possibility for media and individuals.

Remote healthcare

Remote healthcare

Ultra-low latency and reliability could enable mission critical eHealth use cases such as remote surgery and connectivity for emergency services.

Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicles at scale will be enabled through vehicle to vehicle capabilities, EDGE computing and the high reliability of 5G.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0

Real-time remote control of heavy machinery in hazardous environments, will lower costs, improve efficiency and lower safety risks.

Private LTE networks

Private LTE networks

Locations such as universities, hospitals, military bases or transport hubs will benefit from highly secure and rapidly deployed private LTE networks.

What are the practical considerations of 5G for IoT projects?

Do you need 5G?

For the vast majority of today’s IoT projects, existing 2G, 3G, 4G and cellular LPWAN connectivity is sufficient to meet the needs of applications. Tested and trusted hardware and established roaming agreements already in place for these technologies, so without specific needs for 5G connectivity there is little reason to migrate right now.

There will be existing applications that benefit from 5G.  Mobile broadband led applications such as fixed line failover (e.g. for SD-WAN networks) and WiFi on transport are good examples. 5G will also enable innovation and growth of the IoT through applications that don’t exist today.

5G_Para_Image_600_2
5G_Para_Image_600_3

5G coverage & roaming

Although coverage is rapidly increasing across major networks, in Europe and the US it’s still mainly confined to densely populated areas. Checking coverage for where your application is likely to be used is an essential first step.

With roaming agreements still in their infancy, 5G is likely to remain a local service for some time and although this will eventually change. It’s likely that networks will want to manage this carefully in order to see the return on their 5G investment.

5G modules, 5G SIMs & costs

Because adoption is still in the early stages, both modules and routers compatible with 5G are expensive and for some applications cost prohibitive. As module and router manufacturers see demand increase, costs will fall to levels more in line with existing cellular connectivity technologies.  The airtime itself will also be more costly than other bearer services, so all of this must be taken into consideration.

New SIMs will probably be required for most 5G networks, so planning ahead will be key for those with large and dispersed deployments.

5G_Para_Image_600_4

IoT. It's not complicated with Wireless Logic.

Design and deploy a future-proof IoT solution that scales with your business.