France 2G network shutdown scheduled for late 2026

The decommissioning of 2G networks in France is approaching, with major operators setting shutdown dates for late 2026. Orange plans a near-total shutdown in metropolitan France by October 20, 2026, followed by SFR in November and Bouygues Telecom in December.

According to Arcep, approximately 2.13 million terminals in France are limited to 2G or 2G/3G for voice, SMS, and data. To maintain service, users do not necessarily need expensive 5G smartphones; instead, they require 4G-compatible devices that support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) to ensure calls can be processed over the 4G network.

Parallel to these network changes, the convergence of IT and telecommunications is transforming business telephony. Experts suggest that interoperability and the integration of telephony with business applications like CRM and ERP are becoming essential for organizational competitiveness, moving beyond traditional hardware to unified communication tools.