In our pockets, 4G and 5G have become the standard. However, millions of devices still rely on the old infrastructure: 2G and 3G. As the foundational layers of mobile communication, these frequencies are now reaching their limits. Major carriers have already scheduled their shutdown — it's only a matter of months. By 2026, the first permanent cut-offs are expected, signifying the end of an era.
But beware: behind this technical shift lies a significant logistical challenge. It’s not just the old flip phones that are at risk, but an entire ecosystem of invisible connected devices that keep us safe and support our daily lives. Here’s everything you need to know to navigate this transition smoothly.
Picture 2G and 3G as aging, narrow country roads. They drain a lot of energy—up to 30% of network power—despite carrying almost no traffic—and they occupy valuable frequency space. By shutting them down, operators free up room to expand the “highway” of 4G and 5G, which are faster and more secure. While the timelines vary by provider, the trend is clear: 2G is phased out first, followed by 3G.
Regarding 2G, it will be phased out by the end of 2026, whether by Orange, SFR, or Bouygues. As for 3G, it still has a few years left, with its complete disappearance not expected before late 2028 or even 2029.
Your mobile phone
Most modern smartphones (post-2018) support 4G/5G. However, if you're still using a flip phone, it could become unusable if its chip only supports 2G/3G networks. To make calls on a 4G network, your phone must be compatible with VoLTE (Voice over LTE). Without this, your device will fallback to 3G... which is set to be phased out soon.
Security and your home
This is where the impact is most subtle but also most critical:
Payment terminals (card readers)
If you're a business owner and your payment terminal operates on "GPRS" (2G), it will soon be unable to process transactions unless you upgrade to 4G or switch to Wi-Fi.
To avoid surprises, check your devices now, contact your service providers if you have security contracts or building management systems, and explicitly ask if the equipment is compatible with the end of 2G/3G networks.
