Deutsche Telekom announces 2G shutdown

Telekom is the first mobile telecommunications provider to announce the date for the planned shutdown of its 2G network in Germany. It is expected to have been removed from the network completely by 30 June 2028.

By shutting down the 2G/GSM mobile communications network, the network is to be further improved and an even faster data transmission facilitated, according to Abdu Mudesir, Technology Director of Telekom Germany.

Telekom will use the spectrum in the frequency range around 900 MHz currently blocked by 2G in future for the much more efficient technologies of 4G and 5G. This should benefit mobile surfing in rural areas in particular.

Prepare the replacement

Deutsche Telekom advises providers and users of 2G to prepare the replacement of the still surviving old radio modules. Particularly when it came to devices or systems with long-term service cycles, timely planning of the replacement could occur far more cheaply.

When engaged in the procurement or regular replacement of devices and services, attention should be paid to the support of modern technologies, such as 4G/LTE and 5G, or Internet of Things applications narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE-M. In addition, the Voice-over-LTE standard of Telekom (VOLTE) or 5G Voice-over-New-Radio (5G VoNR) had to be supported for telephone calls.

The end of 2G and 3G: We reported on the switch-off of 2G and 3G in our article "2G switch-off: experience and outlook".

telekom.de/2g-abschaltung