BRIEFINGCBP-9959 · Commons Library Briefing Paper · Science and Environment Section

Switching off 2G and 3G in the UK

Find out about the end of 2G and 3G services, including why it is happening, how users may be affected, and the obligations mobile companies have toward their customers.

Telecommunications

Briefing

2G and 3G are the second and third generations of mobile phone networks. 2G, introduced in 1991, enabled text messages as well as voice calls. 3G, introduced in 2003, added basic internet connectivity. They have been followed by 4G and 5G.

In the UK, these networks are maintained by private companies called mobile network operators (MNOs): EE, O2, and VodafoneThree (created in May 2025 by a merger between Vodafone and Three).

The government announced in December 2021 that it and the MNOs had agreed to switch off 2G and 3G networks in the UK by 2033 at the latest. Voice, text, and data services will be carried over 4G and 5G networks instead.

When will 2G and 3G be switched off?

It is up to the MNOs to decide when to switch off their networks. Other mobile providers (such as Lebara, Sky Mobile, and Giff Gaff) use the networks built by one of the MNOs, so their switch-off timings will depend on which network they use.

The 3G network, primarily used for mobile data services, has largely been switched off. 3G is being switched off first because it has already been superseded by 4G and 5G. In 2023, before the switch-off started, the telecoms regulator Ofcom estimated that just 3% of mobile data traffic was carried over 3G.

Ofcom says the 3G switch-off “appears to have gone relatively smoothly”, with “very few” customer complaints.

As 2G has wide coverage across the UK, it remains important as a backup for voice and text services, especially for emergency services calls and in rural areas. There are also more non-mobile phone devices that rely on 2G (see below).

EE and O2 have said they will start switching off 2G from summer 2029, while VodafoneThree’s switch-off will start in spring 2030. These are dates for the nationwide switch-off, but trial switch-offs may happen in selected areas before this time.

Why is it happening?

The radio spectrum, which is used to carry wireless communications, is a finite resource. Switching off 2G and 3G will free up capacity on mobile networks for 4G and 5G services. These technologies offer greater speed, capacity, security, and energy efficiency.

The switch-off is also relevant to the government’s strategy to improve the resilience of UK communications networks. Switching off 2G and 3G will make it easier for new suppliers to enter the communications network equipment market because their products will not need to be compatible with legacy technologies.

How will customers be affected? Mobile handsets

4G and 5G-enabled devices will not be affected by the switch-off. They will be able to use 4G for voice calls and texts, and 4G or 5G for mobile data.

Ofcom estimates there are 2 million active devices reliant on 2G or 3G, of which around 1.6 million are used by residential customers, such as mobile handsets.

Customers will need to upgrade to a 4G-enabled phone to avoid losing connectivity. Once 3G services in an area are withdrawn, customers who do not have a 4G-enabled phone will not be able to access mobile data services. When 2G is switched off, they will also lose access to voice and text services.

Customers who are concerned about their ability to purchase a new handset should contact their mobile provider. EE, for example, has said it will offer a free 4G-ready handset to vulnerable customers who need one.

Coverage

Ofcom expects the impact on mobile coverage to be “negligible”. It says that as of January 2026, 96.2% of the UK’s geographic area and 99.7% of UK premises have 4G coverage from at least one MNO.

The MNOs have committed to assessing 4G and 5G coverage before switching off 2G in an area, and “taking all reasonable steps to avoid creating new coverage not-spots and maintaining access to all forms of emergency services”.

All MNOs are in the process of expanding their 4G networks, including to ‘not-spots’, under the Shared Rural Network programme. Further information can be found in the Library briefing, Rural mobile coverage in the UK: Not-spots and partial not-spots.

Non-mobile devices

There are devices other than mobile handsets that use 2G and 3G networks, such as:

Smart energy meters communicate wirelessly between a customer’s premises and their energy supplier. In southern England and Wales, smart meters use the 2G and 3G networks for this. The Data Communications Company (DCC), which is responsible for the smart meter communications network, is upgrading the network to 4G and enabling smart meters to connect over the customer’s wi-fi if the mobile signal is inadequate. The Public Accounts Committee estimated in 2023 that 7 million meters would need to be upgraded before 2G is switched off.
Some telecare devices, lift alarms, and fire alarms use 2G to send alerts and calls. Ofcom estimated that 1 to 2% of telecare devices used 3G-only SIM card and would need to be upgraded.
eCall systems in some cars and vans automatically call the emergency services in the event of an accident, and may use the 2G network.

Device suppliers are responsible for ensuring their devices continue to work after the switch-off, and for deciding how to fund any upgrades. There is no government funding to support this.

In January 2024 Ofcom published guidance for third-party suppliers and wrote to local governments and the telecare sector to raise awareness.

What is the role of the government and Ofcom?

While the government supports the 2G and 3G switch-off, it is an industry-led process. Neither the government nor Ofcom have a direct, formal role. However, both have said that they are monitoring the implementation of the switch-off to minimise its impact on customers. The government said that it will:

work with network operators to ensure a smooth transition that meets the needs of business users, ensuring that consumers, including vulnerable groups, are treated fairly and can continue to access the services they need.

In March 2026 the government and industry agreed a 2G Switch-Off Charter, setting out commitments to ensure the switch-off happens safely (see next section).

What obligations do mobile companies have to their customers?

Ofcom has set out its “expectations” for mobile providers as 2G and 3G networks are withdrawn. The guidance explains how Ofcom’s existing regulatory requirements are relevant to the switch-off:

Service providers are required to give customers detailed, transparent, and understandable information about contract terms. Ofcom says customers entering into a contract with a device that is not 4G capable should be told the date when the device will no longer function and that they will need to upgrade before then.
Mobile providers must have policies in place to support vulnerable customers. Ofcom expects providers to work with consumer bodies and charities to ensure the switch-off happens safely.
Mobile providers must ensure they offer uninterrupted access to the emergency services. At the time of Ofcom’s guidance, emergency calls were carried over the 2G network. As of July 2025, all MNOs can carry emergency calls over the 4G network.

In addition, the MNOs have made voluntary commitments under the 2G Switch-Off Charter. They will:

Trial switching off 2G in different geographic areas before the nationwide switch-off. Customers in trial areas must be informed at least three months in advance.
Verify that 4G and 5G coverage is reliable before switching off 2G. The MNOs will take “all reasonable steps” to ensure the switch-off does mean areas lose coverage, and to maintain access to the emergency services.
Contact affected customers to inform them of the switch-off, including accessible communications for those who need it and ways for customers to speak to someone if they have concerns.
Have a supply of 4G-capable phones for customers who need additional support.
Liaise with government and other sectors to ensure providers of non-telecoms services, including those serving critical national infrastructure, are ready for the switch-off.

Switching off 2G and 3G in the UK

Find out about the end of 2G and 3G services, including why it is happening, how users may be affected, and the obligations mobile companies have toward their customers.

Telecommunications

Briefing

In the UK, these networks are maintained by private companies called mobile network operators (MNOs): EE, O2, and VodafoneThree (created in May 2025 by a merger between Vodafone and Three).

When will 2G and 3G be switched off?

Ofcom says the 3G switch-off “appears to have gone relatively smoothly”, with “very few” customer complaints.

Why is it happening?

How will customers be affected? Mobile handsets

4G and 5G-enabled devices will not be affected by the switch-off. They will be able to use 4G for voice calls and texts, and 4G or 5G for mobile data.

Ofcom estimates there are 2 million active devices reliant on 2G or 3G, of which around 1.6 million are used by residential customers, such as mobile handsets.

Coverage

Non-mobile devices

There are devices other than mobile handsets that use 2G and 3G networks, such as:

Smart energy meters communicate wirelessly between a customer’s premises and their energy supplier. In southern England and Wales, smart meters use the 2G and 3G networks for this. The Data Communications Company (DCC), which is responsible for the smart meter communications network, is upgrading the network to 4G and enabling smart meters to connect over the customer’s wi-fi if the mobile signal is inadequate. The Public Accounts Committee estimated in 2023 that 7 million meters would need to be upgraded before 2G is switched off.
Some telecare devices, lift alarms, and fire alarms use 2G to send alerts and calls. Ofcom estimated that 1 to 2% of telecare devices used 3G-only SIM card and would need to be upgraded.
eCall systems in some cars and vans automatically call the emergency services in the event of an accident, and may use the 2G network.

Device suppliers are responsible for ensuring their devices continue to work after the switch-off, and for deciding how to fund any upgrades. There is no government funding to support this.

In January 2024 Ofcom published guidance for third-party suppliers and wrote to local governments and the telecare sector to raise awareness.

What is the role of the government and Ofcom?

In March 2026 the government and industry agreed a 2G Switch-Off Charter, setting out commitments to ensure the switch-off happens safely (see next section).

What obligations do mobile companies have to their customers?

Ofcom has set out its “expectations” for mobile providers as 2G and 3G networks are withdrawn. The guidance explains how Ofcom’s existing regulatory requirements are relevant to the switch-off:

Service providers are required to give customers detailed, transparent, and understandable information about contract terms. Ofcom says customers entering into a contract with a device that is not 4G capable should be told the date when the device will no longer function and that they will need to upgrade before then.
Mobile providers must have policies in place to support vulnerable customers. Ofcom expects providers to work with consumer bodies and charities to ensure the switch-off happens safely.
Mobile providers must ensure they offer uninterrupted access to the emergency services. At the time of Ofcom’s guidance, emergency calls were carried over the 2G network. As of July 2025, all MNOs can carry emergency calls over the 4G network.

In addition, the MNOs have made voluntary commitments under the 2G Switch-Off Charter. They will:

Trial switching off 2G in different geographic areas before the nationwide switch-off. Customers in trial areas must be informed at least three months in advance.
Verify that 4G and 5G coverage is reliable before switching off 2G. The MNOs will take “all reasonable steps” to ensure the switch-off does mean areas lose coverage, and to maintain access to the emergency services.
Contact affected customers to inform them of the switch-off, including accessible communications for those who need it and ways for customers to speak to someone if they have concerns.
Have a supply of 4G-capable phones for customers who need additional support.
Liaise with government and other sectors to ensure providers of non-telecoms services, including those serving critical national infrastructure, are ready for the switch-off.