The July 2025 report by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) outlines the global shift away from 2G and 3G mobile networks, which are being phased out in favor of faster and more efficient 4G and 5G technologies.
GSA report
Originally groundbreaking, 2G and 3G have lost relevance as mobile technology has advanced. By the end of June 2025, a total of 278 operator-led switch-offs — completed, planned, or in progress — were identified across 83 countries and territories, up from 77 in December 2024.
Specifically, 131 operators in 65 countries have either completed or planned 2G shutdowns. Among them, 51 operators in 29 countries have already completed the process, 66 in 40 countries are planning to do so, and 14 operators in 8 countries are actively progressing with the shutdowns.
For 3G, 147 operators in 62 countries are involved in shutdown activity, with 78 in 40 countries having completed the transition, 50 in 32 countries planning it, and 19 operators in 15 countries currently carrying it out.
Some of these shutdowns are mandated by governments or mobile operator groups. For example, the UK government has set a target for switching off 2G services by 2033, and the Orange Group has instructed its networks across Europe to retire 2G and 3G by 2030, although local timelines may vary.
Operator transitions following these shutdowns show that 56.9 percent are upgrading their networks to both 4G and 5G, 31.5 percent to LTE only, 4.6 percent to 5G alone, 5.3 percent to 3G and LTE, and 1.5 percent to a combination of 3G, LTE, and 5G.
Europe leads in network shutdowns, accounting for 128 closures or 46 percent of the total, though this marks a slight decline from 47.2 percent in the previous edition of the report. Asia follows with 75 shutdowns, representing 27 percent of the global total. North America has 21 (7.6 percent), Latin America and the Caribbean have 19 (6.8 percent), the Middle East has 17 (6.1 percent), Oceania has 11 (4 percent), and Africa has seven (2.5 percent). Africa’s numbers are expected to grow, driven by regulatory initiatives such as eSwatini’s plan to retire older networks by 2028.
The rate of network shutdowns began to climb in 2023 and gained momentum through 2024 and 2025. The peak year for switch-offs is 2025, when 37 operators plan to shut down 2G and 39 are doing so for 3G. Additionally, some shutdowns are underway without an announced date, with 12 operators globally in the process of switching off 2G and 14 doing so for 3G.
Operators in 28 countries have already shut down 2G services, while those in another 37 countries are either planning or currently executing closures. For 3G, 39 countries have completed shutdowns, 14 have plans in place, and 9 are mid-process. As more devices become compatible with 4G and 5G, legacy networks will continue to lose relevance. This will further incentivize operators and governments to reallocate spectrum and resources to newer technologies, ensuring broader and more efficient mobile connectivity in the coming years.
TelecomLead.com News Desk