2G facts for kids
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).
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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
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2G, including GSM and CdmaOne, has been replaced by newer technologies.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
