If your business operates within the IoT space, you may have heard that 2G/3G technology is on the way out. Many operators worldwide have decided to discontinue their 2G and 3G networks, and the sunset process is now ongoing. 

Here is the crucial information you need to know to help IoT businesses prepare for this transition. 

2G/3G technology is on its way out for good

By the end of 2025, it will be a completely different landscape in the world of telecoms. Operators en masse are withdrawing their 2G/3G networks in favour of more modern solutions like 4G and 5G. This transition has already begun in countries such as China, Germany, and the United States.

While it’s not expected to affect many consumers, this change will hit the IoT industry hard. Many IoT deployments rely on 2G/3G networks as a more affordable and readily available connectivity solution. 

Thousands of devices could be left missing vital connectivity support without these networks. And depending on your deployment, upgrading to the newer 4G and 5G networks might not be a simple process. 

Why are 2G/3G networks being sunset?

There are a few reasons why the operators are closing their 2G and 3G networks.

Firstly, aside from the IoT sector, these networks are largely going unused; secondly, the spectrum that these networks operate on is being redeployed for 5G rollouts, and finally, it is getting increasingly expensive to maintain the older equipment used. By shutting down these older services, operators can invest more money and resources in newer connectivity options and focus on their deployment and maintenance. 

Recent global 2G/3G sunset overview

In much of the world, 2G/3G connectivity has already been shut down. Operators in Bangladesh, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Thailand, Uganda, and the United States have already left 2G/3G behind.

By the end of 2025, support for 2G/3G worldwide will be almost nonexistent. This rapid sunsetting schedule means IoT businesses need to act fast to avoid serious consequences for their installed equipment. 

View the most recent 2G/3G sunset list below, where you can find details of the networks and their planned closure dates.