2G out by 2028: switch to LTE and 5G necessary
Telekom plans to switch off the 2G network by June 2028 in order to further expand 4G and 5G technologies. Customers should upgrade their devices in a timely manner.
Deutsche Telekom has announced that it will switch off the outdated 2G mobile network (GSM) by summer 2028. Telekom has named June 30, 2028 as the deadline, making it the first provider in Germany to set a specific date. With the shutdown, the freed up frequencies will be used to expand 4G and 5G. The decision affects both users of old cell phones and numerous IoT services that are still based on GSM.
2G frequencies are used for 4G and 5G
The shutdown of the 2G network marks the end of an era in mobile communications. GSM, which was the first digital cellular technology to be introduced in the early 1990s, is now considered obsolete. The 4G network (LTE) has been offering faster data transmission and better voice quality via VoLTE (Voice over LTE) for over a decade. 5G has also been available since 2019, enabling even higher speeds and network capacities. Deutsche Telekom wants to reach up to 99 percent of the German population with 5G by the end of 2025.
By reusing the 2G frequencies in the 900 MHz range, network coverage is intended to be further improved, particularly in rural regions. These frequencies offer a greater range and are intended to enable data connections where previously only phone calls via 2G were possible. Telekom plans to convert many 2G areas to 4G or 5G before the final shutdown.
What does the 2G shutdown mean for users?
Most customers already use 4G or 5G-capable mobile phones and automatically benefit from the improvements through network modernization. However, older devices that only support 2G will no longer work after the shutdown and must be replaced in good time. If you only want to use a push-button cell phone to make calls, you can also find suitable alternatives that support VoLTE or 5G VoNR (Voice over New Radio).
In the area of the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine communication (M2M), some devices are still in use that communicate via GSM, such as electricity meters or alarm systems. In order to ensure smooth operations after the 2G shutdown, providers and users of IoT devices should start switching to more modern radio modules now. In addition to 4G and 5G, technologies such as narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE-M are also used here. Early planning can help save costs and simplify the transition, especially for devices with long service cycles.
Telekom provides further information on switching off the 2G network and the compatibility of its own devices on its website www.telekom.de/2g-abschaltung ready.
Source: www.connect.de
