BT intends to prepare 2G switch-off early on

The 2G and 3G chapter in the United Kingdom was to be over by 2033 at the latest. British Telecommunications (BT) has now announced an earlier deadline and intends to approach its customers soon. There appears to be a more urgent need for users of the VMO2 2G network to take action.

By Bernd Lorenz

Apparently, scarcely anyone still uses the 2G mobile communications network in the United Kingdom. For example, in EE’s mobile communications network only 0.1 percent of all data is still transmitted via 2G, British Telecommunications (BT) revealed in a press release in mid-January 2025. BT bought the mobile communications joint venture EE of Deutsche Telekom and Orange about ten years ago. Although dependence on 2G had been steadily decreasing, it was still used by some companies, for example to transfer small quantities of data between devices, sensors or machines. This also included the emergency call systems in lifts.

In December 2021, the four operators of the mobile communications networks informed the British government that they would not be providing their 2G and 3G services beyond 2033. This is still a long way off. But BT already sees a need for action. "Even if our 2G network is only going to switch off later in this decade, the time for our company to prepare for it is now," explained Howard Watson.

Photo: © BT

The Chief Operating Officer of BT Business announced he would seek to have discussions at an early date with EE’s business customers as well as with industry associations. A multi-year lead time was to guarantee that the switch to 4G, 5G or a new service specially developed for the Internet of Things (IoT) took place smoothly. BT would announce the precise schedule for closure of the 2G network at the appropriate time, a company spokesperson told the LIFTjournal.

Plans of competitors

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has not yet disclosed any precise date for the final switch-off of its 2G network. "But it’s important to note that we ae going to halt the roaming services for incoming calls in our 2G and 3G networks on 1 October 2025, which means from this date no more data traffic can be handled via our 2G and 3G network," was the response of a spokesperson for the company to our query.

A beginning would also be made in this year to shift almost the entire data traffic from the 2G network. Consequently, lift operators would have to ensure that they offered 4G SIMs. In addition, VMO2 announced that it would switch off its 3G network by the end of 2025.

The mobile communications provider Three stated it did not provide any 2G network. The great majority of 3G locations had been switched off in September 2024, the company declared. As a precautionary measure, a small number 3G locations remained, which would have to be upgraded with priority before 3G was finally switched off.

At Vodafone, this had already happened. The network was switched off in 2024. There were currently no plans to switch off 2G, a company spokesperson stated.

More information: bt.com
three.co.uk
virginmediao2.co.uk
vodafone.co.uk