The end of an era is looming for French telecom operators with the gradual shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. An important step which is not trivial, even if many of us now favor 4G or 5G on a daily basis.
Why stop 2G and 3G networks?
As Bouygues Telecom explains, France is not the only country to decide to close the 2G and 3G networks. The movement is global and several countries have already started this procedure (United States, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, etc.). It must be said that the second generation network (2G) is more than thirty years old while 3G appeared in France more than twenty years ago. The 3rd generation is the one which accompanies the great breakthrough of the smartphone, improving access to the Internet and allowing uses such as watching videos.
These uses are essential today while these networks are aging. They saw the arrival of 4G around ten years ago and more recently 5G, two mobile telephony technologies more suited to user needs. In particular, they offer much higher speeds in sending (upload) and downloading (download).
Improve network coverage and meet new needs
Operators are explaining today that the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks will allow 4G and 5G networks to use available frequency bands. The historic operator Orange explains that “the old 2G and 3G networks can finally take a well-deserved retirement” because they are “less efficient (than 4G/5G)”. The number one operator in France adds that this change will allow operators to improve network coverage and always better meet user needs.
SFR confirms and adds that reallocating radio frequencies to its 4G and 5G networks will allow improve performance, security, speeds, responsiveness and voice quality with 4G or VoLTE calls. Finally, Bouygues Telecom mentions the same arguments and adds that 4G and 5G technologies are “more efficient” will optimize the efficiency of the released frequency bands, reduce the energy consumption of the network, thus contributing to its decarbonization, and improve the quality of service delivered.
In September 2023, a detailed study by ARCEP confirmed that the migration from 2G/3G to 4G/5G would be beneficial in terms of carbon footprint. Even today, 2G/3G networks represent a significant part of the electricity consumption of mobile networks across all technologies: between 21% and 33% of all network base stations today and possibly around 17% by 2025.
When will Orange, Free, SFR and Bouygues Telecom cut 2G and 3G?
Three mobile operators have already communicated on the timetable for switching off their 2G/3G networks. Here is the full schedule:
| Operator | End of 2G | Fine from 3G |
| Orange (and Sosh) | From December 31, 2025 End scheduled for December 2026 |
From the end of 2028 |
| Bouygues Telecom | End of year 2026 | End of year 2029 |
| SFR | End of year 2026 | End of year 2028 |
| Free* | From December 31, 2025 (Orange roaming network) | / |
In addition, Orange specifies that it will take preparatory actions to discontinue its 2G technology from December 31, 2025 in two steps:
- Initially in a pilot zone made up of 9 departments of the South-West (dpt 09, 31, 32, 40, 46, 47, 64, 65, 82). In Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Landes, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées and Tarn-et-Garonne, 2G will be definitively stopped on 09/03 /2026.
- Secondly, for the rest of mainland France, where the shutdown of 2G is planned from the end of September 2026.
2G should have completely disappeared from the entire Orange mobile network at the end of December 2026. Note that this obviously the Sosh brand which uses the same mobile network. The calendar for the 3G is less precise, but Orange mentions a stop from the end of 2028.
For his part, Bouygues Telecom schedules the shutdown of its 2G network at end of year 2026and that of its 3G network, 3 years later, fin 2029. Finally, SFR writes on its site that its 2G and 3G networks will be shut down respectively in end of year 2026 and in 2028.
*Et Free ?
Free Mobile at a contract to use the Orange network until the end of 2025, i.e. until the end of 2G. The operator will logically follow the same schedule as its partner and the Univers Freebox site confirms that Free prepares for the transition. The operator is starting to send emails to 2G subscribers who have a phone compatible only with the 2G network. The latter are encouraged to switch to a new phone compatible with the 4G network.
Targeted users, owners of basic mobile phones, may have a limited budget and the operator offers payment in 4 installments without fees to keep its customers. Note that Free Mobile has already terminated its own (mini) 2G network by deactivating the antennas, preferring to consolidate its 2G and 3G contract with Orange.
Should we be worried? yes and no
If you are reading this article from your smartphone, there are good chance that it is already 4G and/or 5G compatible. You will therefore not encounter any problems when the 2G and 3G networks end, not to mention that you may have renewed your equipment by the deadline. However, you can check if your device is compatible with 4G and 5G networks by going to your device settings. Most often, you have to go to Settings Then Mobile network or Mobile data network. The presence of the 4G or 5G icon at the top of the screen can also be a good indicator of whether your smartphone supports these technologies.
Finally, you can always consult the technical sheet of your device or contact your operator. While the smartphone is probably not the riskiest device, other devices may encounter no more problems like connected objects. In its study on the carbon impact of the extinction of the 2G and 3G networks, ARCEP mentions that the shutdown of these two networks also results in the possible obsolescence of certain devices that are not 4G/5G compatible. Basic mobile phones, payment terminals or even intercoms are among the same mentioned and we can add connected watches or connected cameras.
Elevators, cars, payment terminals… fears exist
The end of 2G also generates concerns for certain sectors. Elevators, alarms or remote assistance could find themselves out of service with the shutdown of 2G from the end of 2025. The Le Monde website indicates, despite the deployment of 4G and 5G, 7.8 million devices are connected by 2G and 3G, including 4 million in 2G. These figures are an estimate from the federations of remote assistance (French Teleassistance Association, Afrata), elevators (Fédération des elevators, FAS), electrical solutions for buildings (Industrialists of electrical and digital building solutions, Ignes) and the telesecurity (Professional group of electronic security professions, GPMSE). Finally, our colleagues from 01net point out that the extinction of 2G could pose difficulties for car manufacturers.
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