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2G facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

2G stands for second-generation cellular network. It is a set of technology rules used for mobile phone networks. 2G was first launched in Finland in 1991. It used the GSM standard. After 2G came out, older mobile networks were called 1G.

The main difference is that 1G networks used analog radio signals. But 2G networks use digital radio signals. Both systems use digital signals to connect cell towers to the rest of the mobile network. Later, 3G technology replaced 2G.

The most common 2G technology was GSM. It was used in most parts of the world, except Japan. In North America, Digital AMPS and cdmaOne were popular. Japan mostly used Personal Digital Cellular (PDC).

What Made 2G Better?

2G networks had three main advantages over 1G:

  • Safer Phone Calls: Phone calls were digitally encrypted. This made them more private, at least between your phone and the cell tower.
  • Better Use of Airwaves: 2G used the radio frequency space much more efficiently. This meant more people could use the network at the same time.
  • New Data Services: 2G brought data services to mobile phones. This started with SMS text messages. Later, it expanded to Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which let you send pictures and sounds.

With General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 2G could theoretically send data at up to 40 kbit/s (5 kB/s). With EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), the theoretical speed went up to 384 kbit/s (48 kB/s).

How 2G Evolved

Cellular network standards and generation timeline
Timeline of mobile network standards and generations.

2.5G (GPRS)

2.5G means "second-and-a-half generation." This term describes 2G systems that added a way to send data in "packets." This is different from the older "circuit-switched" way, which was like having a dedicated line. 2.5G didn't always mean faster service.

2.75G (EDGE)

GPRS networks later improved to become EDGE networks. This happened by using a new way of encoding data called 8PSK. EDGE allows for faster data speeds. It is also known as Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS). EDGE started being used on GSM networks in 2003.

Why 2G Networks Are Shutting Down

2G, including GSM and CdmaOne, has been replaced by newer technologies. These include 3G (like UMTS), 4G (like LTE), and 5G.

However, 2G networks were still available in most parts of the world as of 2023. But they are mostly gone in North America, East Asia, and Australia.

Many newer phones that use 4G or 5G can still switch back to 2G for phone calls. This is important in rural areas where newer networks might not be built yet. In some places, 3G networks are being shut down before 2G. For example, Vodafone turned off 3G in Europe but kept 2G as a backup. In the US, T-Mobile also shut down their 3G services but kept their 2G GSM network.

Many phone companies have announced that 2G technology is being turned off. This is happening in the United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries. Companies want to use the radio frequencies for newer technologies like 4G and 5G.

In 2022, Android 12 added a setting to turn off 2G on phones. This is because 2G is considered less secure. Ways to attack weaknesses in GSM have been known since 2009. These weaknesses have even been used in crimes.

Countries Where 2G Networks Have Been Shut Down

Many countries have already turned off their 2G networks or plan to do so soon. This table shows some examples:

Country Network Shutdown date Standard Notes
 Åland Ålcom 2024 GSM 2G service might not be available after January 1, 2022. All stations are planned to shut down in 2024.
 Australia Optus 2017-08-01 GSM 2G shut down in Western Australia and Northern Territory on April 3, 2017.
Telstra 2016-12-01 GSM
Vodafone 2018-06-30 GSM
 Bahrain Batelco 2021-11-30 GSM
 Belgium Orange 2030 GSM
Telenet 2027 GSM
Proximus 2027 GSM
 Brunei DSTCom 2021-06-01 GSM
Progresif 2021-06-01 GSM
imagine 2021-06-01 GSM
 Canada Bell 2019-04-30 cdmaOne Bell started shutting down CDMA in remote areas in 2017. They announced in June 2018 that 2G devices would soon lose service.
Rogers Wireless GSM 1900 MHz shut down in June 2021. 850 MHz is still active.
SaskTel 2017-07-31 cdmaOne
Telus Mobility 2017-05-31 cdmaOne
 Cayman Islands Digicel 2020-07-01 GSM
 China China Unicom GSM Local shutdowns began in early 2021.
China Telecom 2025 cdmaOne Local shutdowns began on June 16, 2020. Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ends.
 Colombia Claro 2023-02-23 GSM
Tigo 2022-11-01 GSM
 France Bouygues 2026-12-31 GSM
Orange 2025-12-31 GSM
SFR 2026 GSM
 Hong Kong 3 2021-09-30 GSM
SmarTone 2022-10-14 GSM
 Iceland 2025 GSM According to government statement.
 Israel 2025 GSM According to government statement.
 Jamaica FLOW 2024-04-15 GSM Shutdown began on September 30, 2022.
Digicel 2024-08-31 GSM
 Japan au KDDI 2008-03-31 cdmaOne
NTT Docomo 2012-03-31 PDC
Softbank 2010-03-31 PDC
 Jordan Umniah 2022-??-?? GSM
 Luxembourg Orange 2030 GSM
 Macau China Telecom 2010-??-?? cdmaOne
CTM 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers ended on June 4, 2015. Service remained for roaming users.
3 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers ended on June 4, 2015. Service remained for roaming users.
SmarTone 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers ended on June 4, 2015. Service remained for roaming users.
 Mexico AT&T GSM Local shutdowns began in early 2019.
Movistar 2021-01-01 GSM
 Netherlands T-Mobile 2021-06-01 /
2023-11-15 (IoT)
GSM
 New Caledonia OPT-NC 2025 GSM Shutdown began in 2022.
 New Zealand 2degrees 2018-03-15 GSM
Spark 2012-07-31 cdmaOne
 Norway Telenor 2025 GSM
Telia 2025 GSM
 Poland Orange 2030 GSM
 Romania Orange 2030 GSM
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines FLOW 2023-09-30 GSM
 Singapore M1 2017-04-18 GSM
Singtel 2017-04-18 GSM
StarHub 2017-04-18 GSM
 Sint Maarten TelCell 2019-01-01 GSM
UTS 2017-09-26 GSM
 Slovakia Orange 2030 GSM
 South Africa 2024-06-30 GSM According to government statement.
 South Korea KT 2012-03-19 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
LG Uplus 2021-06-30 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
SK Telecom 2020-07-27 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
 Spain Orange 2030 GSM
 Switzerland Salt 2020-12-31 GSM Shutdown began on July 1, 2020. A few 2G-only sites remained until September 2023.
Sunrise 2023-01-03 GSM The shutdown was delayed to 2022 with new technology.
Swisscom 2021-04-07 GSM Official shutdown date was December 31, 2020.
 Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom 2017-06-30 GSM
FarEasTone 2017-06-30 GSM
Taiwan Mobile 2017-06-30 GSM
 Trinidad and Tobago Digicel 2024-12-31 GSM
 United Arab Emirates Du 2023-12-31 GSM
Etisalat 2023-12-31 GSM
 United Kingdom 2033 GSM According to government statement and mobile providers.
 United States
 Puerto Rico
 US Virgin Islands
AT&T 2017-01-01 GSM
Cellcom 2023-12-01 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
Commnet Wireless (Choice) 2022-12-31 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
Copper Valley Wireless 2022-09-30 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
T-Mobile TBD GSM
T-Mobile (Sprint) 2022-05-31 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended. Shutdown began on March 31, 2022.
Union Wireless 2015 GSM
UScellular 2024-01-14 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) will also end.
Verizon 2022-12-31 cdmaOne Their 3G service (CDMA2000) also ended.
 Venezuela Digitel 2025 GSM Shutdown began in May 2021.
Movilnet 2025 GSM
Movistar 2025 GSM Shutdown began on July 1, 2022.
 Vietnam GSM According to government statement. Shutdown began in December 2023. September 2024 (for 2G-only devices). September 2026 (for 3G and 4G devices without VoLTE).

See Also

  • 1G
  • 3G
  • 4G
  • 5G
  • List of mobile phone generations
  • Mobile radio telephone (also known as 0G)
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