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Mobile operator Vodafone UK (VodafoneThree) has revealed that they intend to switch off their now ancient 2G based mobile network “during 2030“, roughly three years ahead of the government’s official 2033 deadline for the phasing out of both 2G and 3G services (here). The operator has already shut down its 3G network (here).
One of the reasons why 2G has stuck around for so much longer, more so than even 3G (the first 2G services went live in 1991!), is because it has remained useful as a low-power fallback and is still necessary for some rural areas, as well as for particular applications (e.g. some Smart Meters and other Internet of Things (IoT) / M2M services remain dependent upon 2G).
Nevertheless, the government and mobile operators have already agreed to retire both 2G and 3G services by 2033. Last year similarly saw O2 (Virgin Media) become the first UK mobile operator to confirm that they would start the slow process of switching customers away from 2G in 2025 (here), although it’s expected to take several more years before they’d be able to completely phase it out.
Much like with 3G, any move to close down 2G will ultimately free up radio spectrum bands so that they can be repurposed to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators’ costs and power consumption.
The big development today is that Vodafone has now confirmed that they intend to switch-off 2G in the UK “during 2030” (note: Three UK has no 2G spectrum), while their German division already aims to complete this transition by 2028. In fact, by 2030, Vodafone said they will also be phasing out all of their remaining 2G networks across Europe.
Vodafone Statement
With spectrum in short supply, phasing out outdated 2G networks efficiently frees up this valuable resource, as well as allowing Vodafone to reallocate capital to support more advanced technologies. By 2030, Vodafone will be phasing out all its remaining 2G networks in Europe to further improve and extend more efficient and reliable 4G and 5G networks. This is consistent with industry trends. Data from industry body the GSMA indicates that 131 networks are scheduled for shut down by 2030, with about half being 2G networks.
Vodafone’s exact phasing of the switch over from 2G to newer technologies will vary country-by-country. For example, Vodafone Germany aims to complete this transition by 2028 and is working closely with the small number of customers, mostly businesses, to ensure that their migration from 2G is managed as smoothly as possible. VodafoneThree has also announced it will switch-off the Vodafone UK 2G network during 2030 (Three UK has no 2G spectrum).
Out with the old
By the time 2G is retired, it will have been in operation for nearly four decades and is now inefficient and costly to run.
A key limitation of 2G is its slow data transfer rate. For each hertz of spectrum – which is how data travels – 2G can carry 0.1 bits of information per second. 4G in comparison can carry 2.4 bits. This makes it impossible to use 2G for data-intensive applications such as video streaming or online gaming.
A gigabyte of data also uses up to one hundred times less energy to transmit over 5G than it does over 2G. 5G provides mobile operators the potential to lower their environmental impact, as industry standards target a 90% reduction in energy use, according to the GSMA.
Network operation and maintenance costs will decrease as legacy equipment required for 2G can be recycled, which may also make physical space available for new equipment at Vodafone’s mobile sites.
Vodafone hasn’t yet revealed exactly how they will phase the 2G switch-off in the UK, although we wouldn’t be at all surprised if they started the customer communications and migrations phase before 2030.