Global mobile operators accelerate 2G & 3G switch-offs

The Global Mobile Suppliers Association has identified 313 operators that have completed, planned or begun shutting down 2G and 3G networks across 89 countries and territories.

The industry group's latest data points to a broad move away from legacy mobile standards as operators rework spectrum use and modernise network estates. Europe accounts for 43% of recorded switch-off cases, ahead of Asia on 26% and Latin America and the Caribbean on 9%.

For 2G, 139 operators in 70 markets have either completed shutdowns or set plans to do so. Of those, 56 have already finished the process.

For 3G, the number is higher: 174 operators in 67 markets have started switch-offs, with 102 having already completed the transition.

The figures suggest operators are moving faster on 3G retirement than on 2G in many markets, though the path differs by region and operator strategy. In some countries, the timetable is driven by operator group decisions; in others, governments or regulators are pushing migration to newer networks.

Regional pattern

Europe's lead reflects a concentration of operators that have either completed older network shutdowns or set firm plans to do so. Asia is the second most active region in the dataset, while Latin America and the Caribbean remains some distance behind the top two.

The report also found that 27 operators have retired both their 2G and 3G networks. That marks a full break from earlier mobile standards in a limited but growing set of markets.

Almost half of operators retiring older networks, or 58%, are upgrading to both 4G and 5G rather than choosing just one newer generation. This points to a dual-track approach, with companies continuing to expand mainstream 4G coverage while adding 5G services.

Why operators are switching off

Older mobile networks occupy spectrum that can be reassigned to newer technologies. Operators are also managing the cost and complexity of maintaining several generations of network equipment at once, particularly as traffic on legacy systems declines.

Even so, retiring 2G and 3G is not always straightforward. Some operators have missed earlier targets, highlighting practical issues around customer migration and the persistence of older devices in the field.

One of the more difficult areas is machine-to-machine and internet of things connections. Many of these devices are built for long service lives, and replacement cycles in sectors such as utilities, transport and industrial monitoring can extend well beyond normal consumer handset renewal patterns.

This creates tension for operators trying to close older networks while still supporting customers whose equipment was designed around 2G or 3G modules. In some cases, a full switch-off may depend on sector-specific migration plans rather than a simple retail customer upgrade cycle.

Industry response

Joe Barrett commented on the shift in network policy and usage trends.

"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. 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," said Joe Barrett, President, Global Mobile Suppliers Association.

His remarks place the switch-off trend within a broader effort by mobile operators and policymakers to move users and devices onto LTE and 5G platforms. The pace, however, remains uneven, with differences in regulatory frameworks, market maturity and installed device bases affecting when shutdowns can be completed.

The data shows switch-offs are taking place in most regions rather than only in a small group of advanced markets. That breadth suggests the retreat from 2G and 3G is becoming a structural feature of the mobile sector, even if the timeline still varies by country.

"GSA data confirms 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 which will encourage the switch-off of 2G and 3G in 2026 and beyond," said Barrett.