December 2023

2G and 3G Switch-Off

Member Report
Introduction
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 and
governments are determining that the older 2G and 3G technologies as well as the spectrum allocated to them should be switched off for the
faster and more efficient LTE and 5G networks. This transition is typically referred to as the 2G and 3G switch-off.

Drawing on information collected by the GSA about the switch-off of 2G and 3G around the world, this report focuses on the number of
operators that have already shut down these networks, those in the process of doing so and those planning such a move. It also identifies
countries and territories that have in progress, completed or planned switch-offs.

Summary
• By the end of November 2023, GSA had identified 177 completed, planned or in progress 2G and 3G switch-offs in 59 countries and
territories

• 76 operators in 43 countries and territories have either completed or planned 2G switch-offs

• Of those, 24 operators in 15 countries and territories have completed 2G switch-offs

• 52 operators in 33 countries and territories have planned 2G switch-offs

• 93 operators in 47 countries and territories have either completed, planned or are in progress with 3G switch-offs

• Of those, 33 operators in 20 countries and territories have completed 3G switch-offs

• 48 operators in 29 countries have planned 3G switch-offs

• 12 operators in 11 countries and territories have 3G switch-offs in progress

© Copyright 2023 Global mobile Suppliers Association 2G and 3G Switch-Off | Member Report | December 2023 | 2
Figure 1 shows the total count of operators that have completed, planned or are in progress with 2G and 3G switch-offs to end of November
2023; 56 operators have already completed, 101 have planned and 12 are in progress.

Figure 1. Count of operators that have completed, planned or are in progress with 2G and 3G network switch-offs

In progress
12

Completed
56

Planned
101

Figure 2 shows completed and planned switch-off dates for 2G and 3G networks identified by GSA from 2015 to 2026 onwards. The chart
shows that the rate of switch-off for both technologies will continue to increase, with the shutdown of 3G in particular outpacing that of its
predecessor. The most popular year for operators switching to 4G and 5G will be 2025, with 33 operators planning 2G switch-offs and 15
planning 3G switch-offs.

Figure 2. 2G and 3G network switch-offs by year

2G 3G

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
onwards

© Copyright 2023 Global mobile Suppliers Association 2G and 3G Switch-Off | Member Report | December 2023 | 3
Figure 3 shows the network technologies that operators are upgrading to by proportion. According to our research, 59% of switch-offs stated
their upgrade technology to be both 4G and 5G, highlighting the importance of these to mobile technology; 29% will be upgrading to LTE only;
9% will be moving to 5G; and 1% will be upgrading to 3G, 4G and 5G.

Figure 3. Share of network upgrade technologies

3G and LTE 3G, LTE and 5G

1% 2%

5G
9%

LTE
29% LTE and 5G
59%

Global Picture
Figure 4 shows the total completed, planned or in-progress switch-offs of 2G and 3G networks by sub-region, based on announcements from
operators. From this we can derive that Europe has or will be undertaking the largest number of shutdowns, with 107 or 60% of the total. Asia
will be responsible for 35 (20%), followed by North America 11 (6%), the Middle East and Africa with eight (5%), and Oceania with 10 (6%). Latin
America and the Caribbean has just six (3%) 2G and 3G switch-offs.

Figure 4. Shutdown of 2G and 3G networks by sub-region

Latin America and the

Caribbean
Oceania
3%
Middle East and Africa 6%
5%

North America
6%

Asia Europe
20% 60%

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Figure 5 illustrates countries and territories with operators that have either completed or planned 2G switch-offs. It shows that operators in 15
countries and territories have already shut down 2G, and operators in a further 33 plan to do so. This gives a clear indication of the accelerating
pace of switch-off for the technology around the world.

Figure 5. Countries and territories with operators that have completed or planned 2G switch-offs

Completed Planned

Powered by Bing
© Australian Bureau of Sta�s�cs, GeoNames, Microso�, Navinfo, OpenStreetMap, TomTom, Zenrin

Figure 6 shows the countries and territories with operators that have completed, planned or are in progress with 3G network closure.
Operators in a total of 20 countries and territories have already completed switch-off, 29 have plans in place and 11 are in progress.

Figure 6. Countries and territories with operators that have completed, planned or are in progress with 3G switch-offs

Completed Planned In Progress

Powered by Bing
© Australian Bureau of Sta�s�cs, GeoNames, Microso�, Navinfo, OpenStreetMap, TomTom, Zenrin

Conclusion
The pace of 2G and 3G switch-off looks set to pick up over the coming years, with numerous operators from around the globe planning to close
these networks. The rising number of 4G and 5G devices and adoption of newer technologies will see a slowing rate of adoption and use of 2G
and 3G, furthering the need for operators and countries to free up spectrum for 4G and 5G upgrades. As a result, we can expect to see new
operators announce plans to turn off their 2G and 3G technologies.

© Copyright 2023 Global mobile Suppliers Association 2G and 3G Switch-Off | Member Report | December 2023 | 5
Annex

Table 1. Operators that have completed, planned or are in progress with the switch-off of 2G and 3G networks, and their corresponding
countries and upgrade technology

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

2degrees New Zealand Oceania Completed 2018 2G

2degrees New Zealand Oceania Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
3 Ireland Ireland Western Europe Planned 2023 3G
3 Ireland Ireland Western Europe Completed 2021 2G 5G
3 UK United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2024 2G
3 Macau Macau, SAR Eastern Asia Completed June 2015 2G
A1 Slovenija Slovenia Eastern Europe Completed June 2023 3G 5G LTE
2G
Sub-Saharan
Airtel Nigeria Completed March 2022 and LTE 5G
Africa
3G
Airtel India Southern Asia Completed March 2020 3G
Airtel India Southern Asia Planned 2023 2G
3G, LTE and
Airtel Sri Lanka Southern Asia Planned June 2022 3G LTE
5G
Appalachian Northern
United States Planned December 2022 3G 5G LTE
Wireless America
Northern
AT&T United States Completed 2017 2G LTE
America
Northern
AT&T Mobility United States Completed February 2022 3G
America
3G, LTE and
Batelco Bahrain Middle East Completed November 2021 2G LTE and 5G
5G
Belgacom/
Belgium Western Europe Planned 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Proximus
Bite Lithuania Eastern Europe Planned 2028 2G LTE and 5G
Bouygeus
France Western Europe Planned 2029 3G LTE and 5G 5G
Telecom
Bouygeus
France Western Europe Planned 2026 2G LTE and 5G LTE
Telecom
BT (EE) United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2023 3G LTE and 5G LTE
BT (EE) United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2025 2G
South-eastern
Celcom Malaysia Completed December 2021 3G 5G
Asia
Northern
Cellcom United States Completed December 2023 2G LTE and 5G
America
Northern
Cellcom United States Completed March 2023 3G LTE and 5G
America
Northern
Cellular One United States In progress May 2023 3G LTE LTE
America
Latin America
Claro Colombia Colombia and the Planned December 2022 2G LTE LTE
Caribbean
Com4 Norway Northern Europe Completed 2020 3G

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Annex

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

Com4 Norway Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G

Cosmote Greece Southern Europe Completed March 2022 3G
Crnogorski
Telekom Montenegro Eastern Europe Planned December 2023 3G
(Telekom)
CTM Macau, SAR Eastern Asia Completed June 2015 2G LTE and 5G
Dialog Axiata Sri Lanka Southern Asia Planned 2023 3G LTE
South-eastern
Digi Malaysia Completed December 2021 3G LTE LTE
Asia
Latin America
Trinidad and
Digicel T&T and the Planned March 2024 2G LTE
Tobago
Caribbean
Latin America
Digicell Cayman Cayman Islands and the Completed July 2022 2G
Caribbean
DNA Finland Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
South-eastern
DTAC – TriNet Thailand Planned 2025 3G
Asia
EPIC Malta Southern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Saint Vincent Latin America
Flow and the and the Planned September 2023 2G 3G & LTE LTE
Grenadines Caribbean
South-eastern
Globe (Bayantel) Phillipines Completed September 2021 3G LTE LTE and 5G
Asia
Grameenphone Bangladesh Southern Asia Planned 2026 3G
Grameenphone Bangladesh Southern Asia Planned 2025 2G
Jazz Pakistan Southern Asia Completed 2020 2G
Jazz Pakistan Southern Asia Completed 2020 3G
KDDI Japan Eastern Asia Completed March 2022 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
KPN Netherlands Western Europe Completed March 2022 3G LTE and 5G
LMT Latvia Eastern Europe Planned December 2022 3G
South-eastern
M1 Singapore Completed April 2017 2G
Asia
South-eastern
M1 Singapore Planned July 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Asia
Magyar Telekom Hungary Eastern Europe Completed June 2022 3G LTE and 5G
Latin America
Millicom (UNE
Colombia and the Completed November 2022 2G LTE LTE
EPM, Tigo)
Caribbean
Mobily Saudi Arabia Middle East Planned 2022 2G
M-Tel Montenegro Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
MTS Russia Eastern Europe Planned 2023 3G LTE LTE and 5G
Nova Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2024 2G LTE and 5G
Nova Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2025 3G
Nova Greece Southern Europe Completed March 2023 3G LTE and 5G

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Annex

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

NTT Docomo Japan Eastern Asia Planned March 2026 3G LTE and 5G
O2 United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2033 2G
O2 Czech Republic Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
O2 Czech Republic Eastern Europe Completed November 2021 3G
O2 Slovakia Slovakia Eastern Europe Planned January 2024 3G
One NZ New Zealand Oceania Planned August 2024 3G LTE
Optus Australia Oceania Completed 2017 2G LTE and 5G
Optus Australia Oceania In progress April 2022 3G LTE LTE and 5G
Orange France Western Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange Belgium Western Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange France Western Europe Planned 2028 3G LTE and 5G
Orange Luxembourg Western Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange Romania Eastern Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange Spain Southern Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange Poland Eastern Europe In progress 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Orange
Slovakia Eastern Europe Planned 2023 3G LTE and 5G
Slovensko
Post Luxembourg Western Europe Planned July 2022 3G
Proximus (Tango
Luxembourg Western Europe Planned January 2024 3G 5G
and Telindus)
RCS & RDS (Digi
Romania Eastern Europe Completed 2023 3G LTE
Mobil)
Rostelecom
Russia Eastern Europe Planned 2025 3G 5G
(Tele2 Russia)
SFR France Western Europe Planned 2030 2G
Siminn Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2024 2G
Siminn Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2025 3G
South-eastern
Singtel Singapore Completed April 2017 2G
Asia
South-eastern
Singtel Singapore Planned July 2024 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Asia
Slovak Telekom Slovakia Eastern Europe In progress 2023 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
SmarTone Macau, SAR Eastern Asia Completed June 2015 2G
Softbank Corp Japan Eastern Asia Planned January 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Spark New Zealand Oceania Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G
South-eastern
StarHub Singapore Completed April 2017 2G
Asia
South-eastern
StarHub Singapore Planned July 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Asia
STC Saudi Arabia Middle East Planned 2022 2G
STC Saudi Arabia Middle East Planned 2022 3G

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Annex

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

Sunrise
Communications Switzerland Western Europe Planned 2022 2G
(Yallo)
Sunrise
Communications Switzerland Western Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G 5G
(Yallo)
Swisscom Switzerland Western Europe Completed 2021 2G
TDC Denmark Northern Europe Planned 2022 2G
Tele2 Sweden Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telecom Latin America
Argentina Argentina and the In progress 2023 3G 5G
(Personal) Caribbean
Telefonica
Germany Western Europe Completed December 2021 3G LTE
Deutschland
Telekom
Germany Western Europe Completed June 2021 3G LTE and 5G LTE
Deutschland
Telenor Denmark Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G
South-eastern
Telenor Myanmar Planned 2024 2G
Asia
Telenor Denmark Northern Europe Completed April 2023 3G LTE and 5G
Telenor Norway Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G
Telenor Pakistan Southern Asia Planned 2025 2G
Telenor Norway Northern Europe Completed December 2021 3G
Telenor Sweden Sweden Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telia Latvia Eastern Europe Planned December 2022 3G 5G
Telia Norway Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telia Estonia Eastern Europe In progress December 2023 3G
Telia Finland Northern Europe In progress 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Telia Denmark Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telia Lithuania Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telia Estonia Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Telia Finland Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G
Telia Lietuva Lithuania Eastern Europe Completed 2022 3G LTE
Telia Norge Norway Northern Europe Completed November 2021 3G
TeliaSonera Sweden Northern Europe Planned 2025 2G
TeliaSonera Denmark Northern Europe Completed April 2023 3G LTE and 5G
Telkom Mobile Sub-Saharan
South Africa Completed March 2020 2G LTE
(8ta) Africa
South-eastern
Telkomsel Indonesia Planned 2022 3G LTE
Asia
Telstra Australia Oceania Planned June 2024 3G LTE and 5G LTE
Telstra Australia Oceania Completed 2017 2G LTE and 5G
Three United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2024 3G LTE and 5G

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Annex

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

T-Hrvatski
Croatia Eastern Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G LTE and 5G
Telekom
TIM Italy Southern Europe Completed October 2022 3G LTE and 5G LTE
T-Mobile Czech Republic Eastern Europe Completed November 2021 3G LTE and 5G
Northern
T-Mobile United States Planned July 2022 3G
America
T-Mobile Poland Eastern Europe In progress 2023 3G LTE and 5G
T-Mobile Czech Republic Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G
Northern
T-Mobile United States Completed 2020 2G
America
T-Mobile Poland Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
T-Mobile Netherlands Western Europe Planned June 2023 3G
T-Mobile
(Magenta Austria Eastern Europe Planned January 2024 3G LTE and 5G
Telekom)
TPG Corporation
(TPG Telecom,
Vodafone Australia Oceania Completed 2018 2G
Hutchison
Australia)
TT-Netvaerket Denmark Northern Europe In progress April 2021 3G
Tusass (formerly
Greenland Northern Europe Planned 2023 3G
Tele-Post)
Umniah Mobile
Jordan Middle East Completed 2021 2G
Company
Unicom China Eastern Asia Completed 2021 3G
Unicom China Eastern Asia Completed 2021 2G
Northern
Verizon United States Completed 2020 2G
America
Northern
Verizon United States Planned December 2022 3G
America
Vimpelcom
Russia Eastern Europe Planned 2024 3G LTE
(Beeline)
Virgin Media O2 United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2025 3G LTE and 5G
Vodafone Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2025 3G
Vodafone Iceland Northern Europe Planned 2024 2G LTE and 5G
Vodafone Italy Southern Europe Completed February 2021 3G
Vodafone United Kingdom Western Europe In progress 2023 3G LTE and 5G
Vodafone Czech Republic Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Germany Western Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Greece Southern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Czech Republic Eastern Europe Completed March 2021 3G
Vodafone Germany Western Europe Completed June 2021 3G
Vodafone Hungary Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Greece Southern Europe In progress 2023 3G

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Annex

Country or Switch-Off Switch-Off Upgrade

Operator Region Status Band Technology
Territory Month Year Technology

Vodafone Ireland Western Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE

Vodafone Italy Southern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Portugal Southern Europe Completed March 2022 3G
Vodafone New Zealand Oceania Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Romania Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Spain Southern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone United Kingdom Western Europe Planned 2023 2G
Vodafone Albania Eastern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Portugal Southern Europe Planned 2025 2G
Vodafone Idea
India Southern Asia Planned 2022 3G LTE
(VI)
VodafoneZiggo Netherlands Western Europe Completed February 2020 3G
VodafoneZiggo Netherlands Western Europe Planned 2025 2G LTE and 5G
Wind Hellas Greece Southern Europe Planned June 2022 3G LTE and 5G LTE
South-eastern
XL Axiata Indonesia In progress 2023 3G LTE
Asia
Yettel Hungary Eastern Europe Completed November 2023 3G LTE and 5G
Zain Saudi Arabia Middle East Planned 2022 2G

© Copyright 2023 Global mobile Suppliers Association 2G and 3G Switch-Off | Member Report | December 2023 | 11
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