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    UK government issues guidance on upcoming 2G network switch-off

    Karlston

    By Karlston,
    Published Date:

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    New official advice helps users prepare for the 2G shutdown scheduled between 2029 and 2033 to free up spectrum for 5G and 6G.

    The UK government has just issued some guidance to the public to help prepare users and businesses for the impending switch off of the 2G mobile network. It comes following the switch off of 3G between 2024 and early 2026, with o2 being the last holdout.

     

    As a bit of background, the government, via regulator Ofcom, is switching off 2G and 3G networks to free up spectrum for 4G, 5G, and soon, 6G. While most readers will likely gawp at the fact that people are still using 2G devices, it is mainly elderly people who are doing so who may not be comfortable with smartphones. There are also some smart devices and personal equipment (medical pendants and fire alarms) that rely on the 2G network.

     

    In its guidance, the government says that the 2G switch-off will take place between 2029 and 2033. It said that 2G-only devices will need to be upgraded to 4G/5G capable devices to maintain connectivity. After the switch-off, you will no longer be able to make voice calls, send text messages, or use data services.

     

    It said that you should look for 4G or 5G on your phone screen while disconnected from Wi-Fi to figure out if your device will be OK after the shut off. If you do have a 4G/5G device, then you should also enable 4G or 5G calling to ensure there are no issues when 2G disappears.

     

    In the UK, when you fallback to 2G connectivity, you usually see an E logo, which stands for Edge. It is also known as 2.75G as it was an improvement over older 2G standards. While you can probably load up very light webpages or send some messages on Messenger over 2G, you can’t get away with much else. Edge was first launched by Orange over 20 years ago in February 2006.

     

    Realistically, most people won’t even notice this switch off, but it will require a small number of people to upgrade their devices. The most annoying effect of this update will be that it makes some medical devices like medical pendants, lift alarms, and fire alarms unusable and these could be more difficult to replace.

     

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    Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

    Posted Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 5:22 am AEST (my time).

    News posts: 2023 5,800+ | 2024 5,700+ | 2025 5,700+ | 2026 (to end of February) 854

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    andy2004

    andy2004 988

    Posted (edited)

    2g.. weird.. I know that 3g was stopped in 2024.. as my phone was 3g which is why i ended up buying a new 4g,

    i assumed 2g was replaced by 3g long before that.. ie when 4g came out,, not when 5g came out..

    just had a look at my phone under settings and on the new phone which I got this year.. it still has 2g and 3g in the settings..

    infact under preferred network type mine is set to AUTOMATIC (4G & 3G & 2G) the only other setting i could move it to would be the 1 below it..

    but thats would be MUTE as it says AUTOMATIC (3G & 2G)

    below the preferred settings it says ALLOW 2G which is ON.

    consider i used a WHOPPING 45.77mb between 3Mar - 2apr so it says.. out of my 10gb allow usage.. I dont think i have anything to worry about.

     

    in response to shwescorpion You mean all those workmen who use a CHEAP throw away phone and keep their more expensive phone at home as they dont want to get it WET or DAMAGED.. or those old people who only need a mobile phone to contact their doctors/ family / taxi, who have no clue how to use the touch screen ones,, when to them a phone is just a phone.. don't play games or use any apps.

    where its easier to type in a number as its infront of you like the NOKIA 3310 etc,without having to swipe up to type in a password to unlock it, and the press 2 more screens to get the keypad up to type in the number..

    where also the old phones the batteries last for weeks before needing a recharge unlike the touchscreen which seem to need to be recharged DAILY.

    obviously based on how much the phone is used and what for.. personally mine TCL 501 will usually last 5 days.. on standby without my using it.

    not the phone i bought to replace my old HUAWEI Y300. the one i bought myself was a  XIAomi poco C65

     

    Edited by andy2004
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