Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
According to ISPreview’s sources, mobile operator EE (BT) appears to be starting the gradual consumer engagement phase of their plan to close down the old 2G network. The move follows last year’s earlier effort to begin engaging their business customers (here) – supporting them to move from 2G to more modern 4G, 5G or Internet of Things (IoT) services.
In case anybody has forgotten, EE switched-off nearly all of their final 3G sites back in February 2024 (here), which actually occurred well before their much older 2G network is due to be retired. The physical network switch-off phase for 2G is currently still due to start in May 2029, but there’s a lot of work to be done first.
The situation around 2G tends to be more complicated than 3G, not least because its signals still remain useful as a low-power fallback when 4G/5G isn’t present and remain necessary in certain rural areas, as well as for particular applications (e.g. certain IoT / M2M services, lift alarms, telecare systems etc.). Nevertheless, the government has previously agreed with EE, O2, Vodafone and Three UK to phase-out existing 2G signals by 2033 (here).
The key change occurring now is that EE are expanding their customer engagement from business users to residential consumers. Customer service agents and retail staff will now be notified if a customer is expected to be impacted by 2G Sunsetting (they can often tell this from the mobile handsets being used), which should enable them to mitigate most issues long before 2G is actually turned off.
Some customers impacted today are already unable to access mobile data on their current setup and, if EE doesn’t take any action before 2G is switched off, then those users may also lose access to calls and texts (effectively a disconnection). Naturally EE, like all UK mobile operators, are keen to avoid that outcome and want to give everybody plenty of warning, while also expanding their 4G / 5G network where needed and helping users to upgrade to modern equivalents of their older 2G handsets.
Customers using one or more of the following will lose mobile service completely, once the 2G network is switched off, without action.
1. A 2G, 3G or 4G non-VoLTE device or a device that doesn’t support 4G Calling.
2. An old 2G or 3G SIM card.
3. A 2G or 3G price plan.
Broadly the approach being taken for the 2G switch-off should be similar to the 3G process, which among other things means that some vulnerable customers will be offered free handsets. On top of that we may see some localised trials of the network switch-off, while those identified as still using the service are likely to be contacted several times to help them upgrade before the switch-off itself.
So if you’re still on EE’s 2G network and using an older handset (as above), then don’t be surprised to hear from the operator in the near future.