the 2G network is shutting down - what to expect!

The 2G network is almost gone...forever.

2G Deadline: There has been a recent update by T-Mobile about the 2G shutdown: "While we have not yet established an exact date, we will notify you in advance when we plan to retire T-Mobile's older 2G (GSM) network." This means the network shutdown could very well happen at anytime this year, though the original April 2nd deadline has been pushed back. Once an official date is set, I'll update here.

T-Mobile's article:

Sources:
"What to Know About the Sunsetting of 2G/3G Networks in Preparation for 5G", CTIA,

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[iClassic]

Looks like T-Mobile has pushed back the deadline. This means 2G could shut down at any time now. I'll be sure to update you all here once it's shut down!

[robotomo]

2G shut off back in 2018 here in Australia. My carrier shut of 3G at the beginning of February this year and it truly is sad to see. It's depressing to see phones that once dominated the market, now not even being able to connect to a carrier network anymore.

[gewittertorte]

In Germany 3G is already gone, was surprised to see it on holiday in Spain again. Most times I get 5G or LTE now

[LNCRFT]

2G stays alive here in Germany 😂. Instead, they’ve killed off 3G💀
Since 2G is crucial for already existing infrastructure and it’s reliable enough, they’ll keep it alive.

[CarlosSTech]

Actually T-Mobile suspended the 2G shut down until further notice so it will live past April

[Pallethands]

2G was great for emergency calls in low coverage areas. This is a loss.

[PedroBastozz]

Here in Brazil we still have 2g and 3g and will have so for many years. I got over 26 iPhones and iPads and they all work perfectly with cellular networks.

[ryanlee]

This is very sad, as I've used 2G not too long ago in areas of Missouri where not even 4G is able to reach. I'm willing to support 5g, but not until i can get coverage that i can rely on... That was once 3g here... It would just work, and I'd always be connected to get the minimum i need for an emergency calling and texting. If AM radio can stay, then 2G should too.

[johnnylego]

All options should be available. I don’t see why they are doing away with it other than for control

[amogusior]

here in Poland we still have 3G, but its about to shut down. 2G on the other side is still up and running. not getting shut down for now.

[fooderbar]

the E network legit saved me some youtube videos

[MrAeral]

I live in russia, and I collect iPhones. And I have great news for y'all! 2G, 3G and LTE is still supported here. Any iphone can connect to the network without any problems as along as the phone itself doesn't have any problems. It's still very sad to see 2G and 3G go away in America, cuz I have many friends in America, that enjoy collecting iPhones too. Anyways, great video iClassic, as always!

[shilajitdutta]

Here in India, airtel shut down 3G in 2019 and Vodafone-Idea followed suit sometime later. Jio was 4G only from the beginning. Now, Jio is asking the government to consider shutting down 2G and 3G across the country for all operators. Only BSNL has 2G and 3G available as they do not have pan-India 4G services yet.

[ImpiantoFacile]

Fortunately here we have 2G until 2029

[ExperiencersInternational]

Still have 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G here in the UK on O2 - UK.

[SennLens]

In Malaysia, 3G was discontinued at the end of 2021 and 2G still running in 2024. There is no deadline for 2G yet for any telco in Malaysia. The only telco that runs on 4G and 5G was Yes and Unifi which doesn’t have fallback to 2G and 3G Networks.
5G has reached at least 80% coverage in Malaysia and 4G is between 80% and 97% coverage depending on telco itself. Unifi have the smallest coverage with local roaming on Maxis network when exit from Unifi coverage area while Yes is second smallest network. Largest network was CelcomDigi followed by Maxis and then U Mobile.

[skovkatt]

both 2G and 3G are still operating here in Russia.

[JamEZ]

T-Mobile customer here. So I turned on 2G on my phone and saw the 2G logo popped up next to the bars working like it did then. Screenshot it so it'll be remembered 😞

[PeaceDunya]

Wouldn't it make more sense to keep 3G as backup, it's still fast enough to be reliable if 4G/5G is down

[comochuchaquitoesto]

I think it’s a dumb decision to shut down a network that many devices still rely, I understand 3g maybe but they should keep the 2g network as a fallback to non volte devices, car systems and home alarms