Europe leads global 2G and 3G network decommissioning

Europe is leading the global transition to decommission legacy 2G and 3G mobile networks. According to a report by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 43% of all network switch-offs are concentrated in Europe, ahead of Asia (26%) and Latin America (9%).

The decommissioning process is progressing at different speeds for each technology. 3G is further along, with 174 operators in 67 markets having started the process and 102 having completed it. Conversely, 2G remains more resilient due to its widespread use in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and the Internet of Things (IoT), such as industrial devices, smart meters, and alarm systems.

This transition poses specific challenges for safety systems like eCall, the automated emergency calling system in vehicles. Because eCall often relies on 2G or 3G networks, the planned phase-out of these technologies by the end of the decade could impact the functionality of millions of vehicles if they are not updated to support 4G or 5G.