[REVISION HISTORY]

French telecommunications infrastructure transition

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2026-10-06 23:34 UTC → 2026-10-20 14:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

France is undergoing a significant transition of its telecommunications infrastructure, involving the decommissioning of legacy mobile and fixed-line networks. Telecommunications operators are phasing out 2G and 3G networks to reduce high costs and energy consumption while freeing up radio frequencies for 4G and 5G services. A 2023 study indicated that 2G and 3G stations accounted for between 21% and 33% of the electricity consumption in network stations. Regarding mobile services, the 2G network is expected to disappear across France by the end of 2026. ~~Major operators have established specific timelines: Orange plans a near-total shutdown in metropolitan France by~~ As of October 20, 2026, ~~followed by~~ Orange has officially shut down its 2G mobile network, ending a 34-year era. This allows the reallocation of 5 MHz of frequency spectrum to higher-speed technologies. Following Orange, SFR in is scheduled to end its 2G service on November ~~and~~ 15, 2026, while Bouygues Telecom ~~in December.~~ and Free are expected to phase out their networks by mid-December 2026. The decommissioning of 3G networks is expected to occur between 2028 and the end of 2029. As of October 2026, Orange has begun a phased shutdown of its 2G mobile network. On October 6, 2026, the shutdown affects 44 departments, including Brittany, with an additional 43 departments scheduled for disconnection on October 20, 2026. Orange has noted that temporary exceptions will exist in certain regulated white zones, with a final shutdown for those areas planned between December 1 and December 15. While older networks are being retired, 5G deployment is advancing. Orange has increased its lead in 5G deployment on the 3.5 GHz band, which Arcep describes as the ‘core band’ for increasing network capacity and speeds. As of October 1, 2026, Orange reached 14,899 operational sites on this frequency. This transition impacts critical devices such as teleassistance systems, alarms, intercoms, and heating controls. ~~To maintain service, users must use 4G-compatible devices that support VoLTE (Voice over LTE).~~ In addition to mobile transitions, the copper telephone network is being phased ~~out,~~ out. In the Ariège department, 29 communes are scheduled for copper network extinction by January 31, 2027, with total departmental disconnection ~~in Ariège~~ targeted for the end of 2029.

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