<p>The switch-off of 2G and 3G is being driven forward by network operators worldwide. The reason: the frequencies are needed for modern technologies such as 4G (LTE), 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT. Anyone using IoT devices that only support 2G or 3G must act now to avoid outages and communication problems.</p><h2 id="isPasted">Why is the 2G and 3G Network Being Switched Off?</h2><p>Since the 1990s, the GSM network (2G) has formed the basis of mobile communication, supplemented by UMTS (3G) from 2000. In the meantime, the technology has developed significantly: 4G (LTE) is standard, and 5G is on the rise. Older generations, such as 2G and 3G, have long been considered obsolete and are therefore being gradually phased out by mobile network operators.<br /><br />The aim is to use the available frequencies more efficiently: Network operators such as Deutsche Telekom are using the freed-up areas - around 900 MHz, <strong>for example </strong>- specifically for the expansion of 4G and 5G, particularly in rural regions. This creates space for modern applications, higher bandwidths and future-proof network coverage.</p><h2 id="isPasted">2G and 3G Switch-Off in Germany</h2><h3>When Will 2G be Switched Off in Germany?</h3><p>Deutsche Telekom has announced that it will completely shut down its 2G network (GSM) by <strong>summer 2028</strong>. The previously occupied 900 MHz spectrum is to be used for modern technologies such as 4G and 5G.<br /><br />Vodafone originally planned to gradually switch off 2G in Germany by the end of 2030. However, in September 2025, the company announced that it would switch off its 2G network earlier. From September 2028, the 2G service for traditional voice calls will be discontinued, and phone calls will then only be possible via 4G (VoLTE) or 5G. Older devices without LTE or 5G support will therefore be particularly affected by the 2G switch-off. However, the 2G network will remain available for critical IoT applications such as networked elevator systems, emergency call technology (e.g. eCall) or alarm systems. Vodafone will keep it running in this area until the end of 2030 to enable a smooth technology transition. The complete dismantling of the 2G infrastructure will begin in <strong>January 2031</strong>.</p><h3>When will 3G be Switched Off in Germany?</h3><p>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.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><strong>Planned 2G Switch-Off</strong></td><td><strong>Planned 3G Switch-Off</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>German Telekom</strong></td><td>June 30, 2028</td><td>30.06.2021</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Vodafone</strong></td><td>September 30, 2028 for voice connections,<br />January 31, 2031 for all services (including IoT)</td><td>30.06.2021</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Telefonica O2</strong></td><td>No date known yet</td><td>21.12.2021</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 id="isPasted">Italy: 3G Switch-Off by the End of 2025, Future of 2G Unclear</h2><h3>When will 2G and 3G be Switched Off in Italy?</h3><p>In Italy, the 3G switch-off is already well advanced:</p><ul><li><strong>TIM</strong> has switched off its 3G network on October 15, 2022, Vodafone already on February 28, 2021.</li><li>The provider <strong>WindTre </strong>will gradually discontinue its 3G service until December 31, 2025 to give customers enough time to switch over.</li><li>For the <strong>2G network</strong>, on the other hand, there are no official, nationally binding switch-off dates yet</li></ul><p>Many operators are keeping GSM active, especially in rural areas where IoT devices are often still based on 2G. Companies with existing devices should keep a close eye on network developments and switch their hardware to 4G, 5G or LPWAN technologies in the medium term to avoid connectivity losses.‍</p><h2><br /></h2><h2>France: 2G/3G Switch-Off Planned From 2025 - 2029</h2><h3>When will 2G and 3G be Switched Off in France?</h3><p>Unlike in Germany, French network operators are planning to switch off the 2G network before the 3G network and have already communicated specific timetables for the switch-off of 2G and 3G:</p><ul><li><strong>Orange</strong> plans to switch off its 2G network completely by the end of 2026 and is expected to discontinue 3G services by the end of 2028. The services will not be switched off all at once, but in phases and divided into different regions.</li><li><strong>SFR and Bouygues Telecom</strong> are also planning to deactivate their GSM networks by 2026, while their UMTS networks are to be switched off by 2028 and 2029 respectively.</li><li>For providers such as <strong>Free Mobile</strong>, which currently rely on network facilities with Orange, the currently agreed network roaming agreement for 2G/3G will end by the end of 2025 at the latest - an extension until the final switch-off date is being examined.</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><strong>Planned 2G Switch-Off</strong></td><td><strong>Planned 3G Switch-Off</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Bouygues</strong></td><td>End of 2026</td><td>End of 2029</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SFR</strong></td><td>End of 2026</td><td>End of 2028</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Orange</strong></td><td>End of 2026</td><td>End of 2028</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 id="isPasted">Spain: 2G and 3G Switch-Off by 2027</h2><h3>When will 2G and 3G be Switched Off in Spain?</h3><p>In Spain, network operators are planning to switch off the 3G network first, while 2G will remain in place for longer. Numerous sources predict that the 3G service will be phased out before 2026.</p><ul><li><strong>Orange España</strong> plans to switch off 3G in 2025, with 2G remaining in place until the end of 2026.</li><li><strong>Movistar (Telefónica)</strong> is targeting a complete switch-off period for 2G and 3G between 2026 and 2027.</li><li><strong>Vodafone Spain</strong> is already accelerating the 3G phase-out and strengthening VoLTE solutions. However, a fixed switch-off date for 2G has not yet been set.</li></ul><p>For IoT solutions in Spain, this means that devices that only use 2G or 3G are at risk in the medium term. A migration to 4G, 5G or LPWAN solutions should be planned in a targeted manner, especially in critical applications and in regions with weak network coverage.</p><h2>2G and 3G Switch-Off Worldwide</h2><p>The shutdown of 2G and 3G networks is no longer a purely German issue; network operators around the world are switching to modern technologies. They are doing this in different ways: While in some countries the 3G network was taken offline first, in other regions the focus is on switching off 2G.<br /><br />In Switzerland, Swisscom and Sunrise have already deactivated their 2G network at the end of 2022, while 3G will be switched off by the end of 2025. In the USA, AT&amp;T's 2G network was already switched off in 2017, followed by T-Mobile at the end of 2021. The order was reversed for the 3G network: T-Mobile ended the service in 2020, AT&amp;T switched off 3G in 2022. In other countries such as Australia and the Netherlands, both technologies have already been completely switched off in some cases. Companies with internationally deployed IoT devices should check their hardware at an early stage and switch to 4G, 5G or LPWAN-capable solutions.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><strong>Planned 2G Switch-Off</strong></td><td><strong>Planned 3G Switch-Off</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Swisscom (Switzerland)</strong></td><td>Already Switched Off</td><td>End of 2025</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sunrise (Switzerland)</strong></td><td>Already Switched Off</td><td>End of 2025</td></tr><tr><td><strong>AT &amp; AMP; T (USA)</strong></td><td>Already Switched Off</td><td>31.12.2022</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 id="isPasted">Effects of the 3G and 2G Switch-Off</h2><h3>What Does the Shutdown of 2G and 3G Mean?</h3><p>The shutdown of 2G and 3G has a direct impact on the connectivity of IoT devices: If the corresponding network is no longer available, it can no longer be used. End devices that only support 2G or 3G will lose their connection - permanently. This affects older alarm systems, home emergency call systems or automatic emergency calls (eCall) in vehicles, for example. Without a technical upgrade, these systems will no longer function reliably in an emergency. Only devices that support 4G, 5G or LPWAN standards will remain online and ready for use after the switch-off.<br /><br /><strong>Effects of the 2G Switch-Off for Emergency Call Services</strong></p><p>In Germany, 2G is often used for emergency call applications such as elevator emergency calls or home emergency call systems. Before 2G is switched off, it must be ensured that these services also work 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 switched off.</p><h3>What Should I do about the 2G and 3G Switch-Off?</h3><p>The shutdown does not primarily affect the SIM card, but the end device. Modern M2M SIM cards, such as those from WhereverSIM, have long supported 4G, 5G and LPWAN standards. The decisive factor is therefore whether the device or hardware used is also capable of using these technologies.<br /><br />If you use SIM cards in older devices, you should check whether they are also 4G or 5G-capable. If this is not the case, there are retrofit solutions depending on the device, for example in the form of a modem or firmware upgrade. You can usually find out whether your device is compatible and which options are available in the technical documentation or directly from the manufacturer's product support.</p><h3>What does the Shutdown of 2G and 3G Mean for M2M SIM Cards from WhereverSIM?</h3><p>If our <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank">M2M SIM cards</a> are used in your devices, you don't have to do anything on the SIM side to switch off 2G and 3G: Our SIM cards already support several hundred 4G networks and numerous 5G networks worldwide. As soon as a network is available via roaming and belongs to the booked tariff zone, it is automatically used - without any adjustment on your part.<br /><br />However, the decisive factor is whether your end devices are also 4G or 5G-capable. Especially with older hardware, there is a risk that only 2G or 3G will be supported. As there is no backwards compatibility between 4G networks and pure 2G/3G devices, they will otherwise lose the connection and remain offline.<br /><br />Not sure if your devices are affected? Our <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/contact-m2m-experts?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank">team of M2M experts</a> will be happy to help you - including recommendations for suitable hardware via our partner network.</p><h3>What Comes after 2G? The Role of 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT</h3><p>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.<br /><br /><strong>5G</strong> <strong>for Complex Real-Time Applications</strong></p><p><a href="https://en.whereversim.de/5g-m2m-sim?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank">‍5G</a> 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.<br /><br /><strong>LTE-M</strong> <strong>for Mobile, Energy-Efficient Devices</strong><br /><a href="https://en.whereversim.de/lte-m-and-nb-iot?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="https://en.whereversim.de/lte-m-and-nb-iot?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank">LTE-M</a> 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.<br /><br /><strong><span><strong>N</strong>B-IoT<strong> for</strong></span> Simple Sensor Technology and Difficult Environments<br /></strong><a href="https://en.whereversim.de/lte-m-and-nb-iot?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="https://en.whereversim.de/lte-m-and-nb-iot?gad_campaignid=22351405838" target="_blank">NB-IoT</a> 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.</p><h2>Convert Now to Stay Connected</h2><p>The switch-off of 2G and 3G is not a distant future, but already a reality. Those who prepare their IoT devices for modern mobile communications standards such as 4G, 5G, LTE-M or NB-IoT in good time will remain networked and capable of acting in the long term. Our SIM cards support all relevant technologies and our team will be happy to assist you with the transition. So that your devices can still communicate reliably tomorrow.</p>

The 2G and 3G switch-off is reshaping IoT connectivity worldwide, making migration to 4G, 5G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT essential to avoid outages and ensure future-ready devices.

2G and 3G Switch-Off: What Does This Mean for the IoT?

<p id="isPasted">"A SIM card is a SIM card." We come across this assumption in many IoT projects. However, those who rely on classic consumer SIMs in the IoT context often realize too late that network coverage, management, and contract structure are not designed for M2M applications. In this article, we explain why <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/definition-m2m-sim-card?gad_campaignid=22351405838">M2M SIMs</a> (also known as IoT SIMs) are the much better choice for IoT projects, the risks associated with consumer SIMs, and what should be considered when making a decision.</p><h2>What is the Difference Between Consumer and M2M SIMs?</h2><p>Consumer SIM cards are designed for end devices for private use, such as smartphones, tablet,s or mobile routers. Accordingly, they are designed for typical user habits such as telephony, text messaging, and surfing the mobile Internet. The management and tariff structure are primarily aimed at individuals or households.</p><p>M2M SIM <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/glossary/what-is-m2m?gad_campaignid=22351405838">(machine-to-machine</a>) SIM cards, on the other hand, have been specially developed for use in machines, sensors and IoT devices. They enable the automated transmission of data, include flexible tariff models, central management, and access to multiple mobile networks or special technologies such as NB-IoT or LTE-M.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Criterion</p></td><td><p>Consumer SIM</p></td><td><p>M2M SIM Card</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Use Case</p></td><td><p>Smartphone, Tablet, Mobile Router</p></td><td><p>IoT Devices, Sensors, Machines</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>National Roaming</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Management Platform / Online Portal for SIM Management</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Prepaid Tariffs</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Monthly Tariffs</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Flexible Tariff Models</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Data Pooling across Multiple Cards</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>NB-IoT / LTE-M Support</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Robustness (e.g. Temperature Range)</p></td><td><p>No</p></td><td><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Contract Structure</p></td><td><p>Standardized End Customer Tariffs</p></td><td><p>Individual, Project-Related</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Support &amp; Service</p></td><td><p>Consumer Support, Limited</p></td><td><p>Technical Support, Specialized in IoT, Focus on Business Customers</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Device Management &amp; APIs</p></td><td><p>Not Planned</p></td><td><p>Partially Included</p></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Consumer SIM and M2M Tariff Models in Comparison</h2><p>Although consumer and M2M SIMs may seem similar in price at first glance, their tariff models vary significantly. Consumer SIMs primarily use monthly flat rates or prepaid models, while IoT SIM cards provide a broader range of tariff options specifically designed for the needs of the IoT environment. These options include pooling, temporary pausing, and pay-per-use billing models.</p><h2>Typical Mistakes When Using Consumer SIMs in IoT Projects</h2><p>Most IoT projects start small - a few test devices, initial sensors and the desire to be up and running quickly. Project managers, therefore, often resort to the next best solution: a consumer SIM. But what appears to work in the pilot phase often turns out to be a stumbling block in practice. The most <strong>common problems</strong>:</p><h3>Insufficient Network Coverage</h3><p>Consumer SIMs are tied to a fixed mobile network provider. If the mobile network is weak at the place of use, the device will remain offline in the worst-case scenario. Especially with stationary installations in basements, industrial halls or rural regions, the restriction to one network provider becomes a real challenge. M2M SIMs circumvent this problem with national roaming, in the best case, without control <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/m2m-sim-national-roaming?gad_campaignid=22351405838">(non-steered roaming</a>), so that they automatically dial into the strongest available mobile network at the location.</p><h3>No Central SIM Management</h3><p>You can still keep track of a few devices manually. But what if there are hundreds or thousands of SIM cards? IoT SIMs can be controlled via central management platforms: activate, pause, monitor data consumption - all in one portal. This saves time, costs and minimizes errors.</p><h3>Unsuitable and Rigid Data Tariffs</h3><p>Standard flat rates are not optimized for IoT use. Some devices only send small data packets sporadically, while others need flexible data volumes depending on use. Without suitable tariff models, there is a risk of either unnecessary costs or restrictions in functionality.</p><h3>Poor Data Protection and Lack of Security</h3><p>In contrast to consumer SIMs, many M2M SIM providers offer additional functions such as private APNs or secure VPN connections. These security mechanisms are indispensable, especially for sensitive data, for example, from the healthcare or energy sector.</p><h3>Unqualified Support for IoT Projects</h3><p>If devices suddenly go offline, you need fast technical support, not a hotline with long waiting times or standard answers. Good M2M providers usually offer dedicated support with IoT expertise. In addition to their own SIMs, they are also familiar with different IoT hardware.</p><h2>Excursus: Why Smart Meters Fail With Consumer SIMs?</h2><p>Digital electricity meters - known as <a href="https://en.whereversim.de/m2m-sim-energy-technology?gad_campaignid=22351405838">smart meters</a> - are considered a key technology in the energy transition. They record electricity consumption in real time and automatically transmit the data to metering point operators or energy suppliers. However, this function is only reliable if the connection is stable. Smart meters face particular challenges here: They are often located in basements, must transmit energy efficiently for years and also function in remote regions with fluctuating grid availability. This is exactly what IoT SIM cards are designed for, unlike consumer SIMs.</p><h2>Conclusion: The Right SIM Determines Success or Standstill</h2><p>Whether an electricity meter, sensor or networked device: no IoT project can work without a stable and secure connection. If you choose the wrong SIM card, you risk not only poor network coverage but also a lack of control, unsuitable tariffs, or security gaps that slow down projects or cause them to fail. M2M SIM cards are specially made for such requirements. If you want reliable IoT connectivity in the long term, you should therefore go straight for the right solution - and leave consumer SIMs where they belong: in your smartphone.</p>

NB-IoT

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2G and 3G Switch-Off: What Does This Mean for the IoT?

Consumer SIMs in the IoT: Why They Become a Risk and How To Do It Better?