Vodafone UK Set to Switch Off 2G Mobile Services During 2030
Mobile operator Vodafone UK (VodafoneThree) has revealed that they intend to switch off their now ancient 2G based mobile network “during 2030“, roughly three years ahead of the government’s official 2033 deadline for the phasing out of both 2G and 3G services (here). The operator has already shut down its 3G network (here).
One of the reasons why 2G has stuck around for so much longer, more so than even 3G (the first 2G services went live in 1991!), is because it has remained useful as a low-power fallback and is still necessary for some rural areas, as well as for particular applications (e.g. some Smart Meters and other Internet of Things (IoT) / M2M services remain dependent upon 2G).
Nevertheless, the government and mobile operators have already agreed to retire both 2G and 3G services by 2033. Last year similarly saw O2 (Virgin Media) become the first UK mobile operator to confirm that they would start the slow process of switching customers away from 2G in 2025 (here), although it’s expected to take several more years before they’d be able to completely phase it out.
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Much like with 3G, any move to close down 2G will ultimately free up radio spectrum bands so that they can be repurposed to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators’ costs and power consumption.
The big development today is that Vodafone has now confirmed that they intend to switch-off 2G in the UK “during 2030” (note: Three UK has no 2G spectrum), while their German division already aims to complete this transition by 2028. In fact, by 2030, Vodafone said they will also be phasing out all of their remaining 2G networks across Europe.
Vodafone Statement
With spectrum in short supply, phasing out outdated 2G networks efficiently frees up this valuable resource, as well as allowing Vodafone to reallocate capital to support more advanced technologies. By 2030, Vodafone will be phasing out all its remaining 2G networks in Europe to further improve and extend more efficient and reliable 4G and 5G networks. This is consistent with industry trends. Data from industry body the GSMA indicates that 131 networks are scheduled for shut down by 2030, with about half being 2G networks.
Vodafone’s exact phasing of the switch over from 2G to newer technologies will vary country-by-country. For example, Vodafone Germany aims to complete this transition by 2028 and is working closely with the small number of customers, mostly businesses, to ensure that their migration from 2G is managed as smoothly as possible. VodafoneThree has also announced it will switch-off the Vodafone UK 2G network during 2030 (Three UK has no 2G spectrum).
Out with the old
By the time 2G is retired, it will have been in operation for nearly four decades and is now inefficient and costly to run.
A key limitation of 2G is its slow data transfer rate. For each hertz of spectrum – which is how data travels – 2G can carry 0.1 bits of information per second. 4G in comparison can carry 2.4 bits. This makes it impossible to use 2G for data-intensive applications such as video streaming or online gaming.
A gigabyte of data also uses up to one hundred times less energy to transmit over 5G than it does over 2G. 5G provides mobile operators the potential to lower their environmental impact, as industry standards target a 90% reduction in energy use, according to the GSMA.
Network operation and maintenance costs will decrease as legacy equipment required for 2G can be recycled, which may also make physical space available for new equipment at Vodafone’s mobile sites.
Vodafone hasn’t yet revealed exactly how they will phase the 2G switch-off in the UK, although we wouldn’t be at all surprised if they started the customer communications and migrations phase before 2030.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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It’s ridiculous that they are still installing 2G/3G smart meters in the south which begs the question will O2 follow suit?
SmartDCC website claims there is a contractual obligation until 2033. So that will be interesting.
Smart meters don’t use Vodafone’s 2G network, in the southern half of the UK they use O2
The SMART Metre network provider embarked on its program of meter upgrades earlier this summer. I have no doubt that the provider has coordinated this with the CSPs concerned.
Vodafone still actually has a few 2G only sites in the uk, all only operating in GPRS in my experience but there may be EDGE only ones as well but I can’t verify that. There is one near Weymouth and another at exactly Travelodge Beckington. Thankfully they are very much rarer to find then the chances to discover 3’s 3G sites. There is still a few VF 2G sites about.
Come to the southside of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and you’ll find 2G Edge or one bar 4G
If you’re lucky.
Not really true. Get on a train from the West Midlands down to London and you will see vast swathes of 2G on Vodafone during your journey. The slow route via Northampton is particularly bad.
Looks like we’re gonna have to wait till 2030 for 4G, my phone spends most of its time on 2G in Nottinghamshire
This seems like a fairly obvious move, especially when Vodafone has started moving 2G only sites to support 4G…. unfortunately the same has not happened on O2 yet with several 2G only sites still in operation
O2 2G is still used for smart meters in the southern half of the country. It will be longer before they can turn it off.
Why is Vodafone-Three fighting its Subscriber in the Courts for £745.79
13 bank statements taken from the Subscribers account at Llyods Bank in Slough High Street after notice was given to terminate the Service Contract.Is Vodafone-Three a ” Gotti Monopoly Un touchable in the Bobile Business?
Is Vodafone-Three going back to Courts for the Subscribers £745.79?
@Big Dave
The SMART Metre network provider started its program of upgrading 2G SMART Metres to 4G earlier this summer.
2G spectrum should be reallocated to 4G to maintain coverage, reliability and fallback.
5G spectrum can be reallocated to 6G.
All new smart meters needs to be made 4G ready no later than 2030 and 5G for 2033, as 6G will have begun rollout and by then they should have been already considering a switch to 5G networks as the mobile operators wanting to save money will want to start a phased switching off of 4G as soon as 6G is here.
My Pixel 8 Pro was on Edge in Leeds City Centre earlier, had to flick to airplane mode and back to get 4g/5g.
Sanford Charles comment will protect other Subscribers with mobile contract with Vodafone-Three.
If Vodafone now Vodafone-Three can withdrew 13 bank statements from account starting the end of November 2019, when it to light in May2021. Vodafone now Vodafone-Three since the wedding,ah the marriage between siblings. They are using Deloitte LLP in the Courts to fight a Subscriber for his pensión money of £745.79. Is this Corporate Greed?
I don’t want to go to High Wycombe County Court against Deloitte LLP to fight for my £745.79. Vodafone-Three have Deloitte LLP, I cannot get proponationate represention.
I don’t want go back to Court, I have offered Vodafone-Three ADR by registered post. I know I am Black and a pensioner and Vodafone-Three have a joint Capitlaization of 53 billions plusthat of Three.
I am begging Vodafone-Three to Settle my £745.79 out of Court. This is Corporate Mafia, Gotti Monopoly beheavior, Strong Man”.