2G is (almost) finished. The cellular network will be disconnected by the end of next year at Orange. And the other operators will follow in stride. France is not ahead of other countries that have already buried 2G, such as Japan or Switzerland. It must be said that there are always resistance.
2G will not respond in 2026
2G remains in fact always used in feature phonethese classic phones before the advent of smartphones. No need for a brand new 5G – with which these devices are incompatible, anyway – to make voice calls or send SMS. But it is especially in industry that the transition will be more difficult.
Some companies continue to rely on 2G to control machines and to exchange data. The network is particularly used by elevator companies. And there is no question of postponing the extinction of 2G, ensures to Clubic Anne-Flore Roger, the technical director of Orange France mobile networks. The operator has implemented business support to enable them to evolve, ” on a case -by -case basis ».
She also recalls that Orange warned well before the end of the 2G, from 2022. In other words, companies had long time to prepare for the future. But obviously, there are always latecomers. “” For consumer customers or companies who have a 2G phone, it must be replaced by a mobile that is 4G compatible “Explains Anne-Flore Roger. Easier to say than to do …
Individuals will be able to obtain a credit taken from their phone, or discounts to Buy a new model. Orange also offers workshops to help customers transfer their contacts and ” pedagogy ».
« 2G is really the first mobile phones we had in your hands in the early 90s She recalls. And at the time, environmental concerns were not really on the program. Arcep has shown in a study that ” Between 20 and 30% of the energy consumption of mobile antennas are due to 2G and 3G ». Remove the 2G of the equation – for 3G, it will be in 2028 – is therefore good news for the climate!
And it’s just as good for operators, who will see new frequencies there to strengthen their 4G and 5G networks. “” We will reuse the spectrum with 4G and 5G technologies, which will improve the capacity of these networks Confirms the manager.
🟣 To not miss any news on the Geek newspaper, subscribe to Google News and on our WhatsApp. And if you love us, .