UK mobile network operators will switch off their 2G networks between 2029 and 2033. The 3G switch-off is already nearly complete, with most operators finishing by early 2026. DSIT published formal guidance on 24 March 2026 confirming the timeline and urging businesses to identify affected devices well ahead of the shutdown.
The deadline feels distant, but the audit should not wait. Many SMEs have devices, SIMs and connected equipment running on 2G that they are not aware of. The businesses that identify these now have time to plan upgrades on their own terms.
The ones that leave it until the final year face the same last-minute scramble the PSTN switch-off is already creating.
Why 2G Matters More Than You Think
Most smartphones sold in the last five years support 4G and 5G. For handsets, the switch- off will be invisible to most users. The problem sits with older devices and connected equipment that was never designed to move beyond 2G.
Business mobiles issued three or four years ago to warehouse staff, drivers or site workers may still be basic feature phones running on 2G. Company-issued handsets are often replaced less frequently than personal phones, particularly for roles where a smartphone is not needed.
Beyond handsets, many businesses have equipment that connects over 2G without anyone thinking about it. Vehicle trackers in fleet vans, IoT sensors for temperature monitoring, alarm communicators that fall back to 2G when broadband fails, agricultural monitoring devices, personal safety alarms, and older EPOS terminals with SIM-based connectivity all potentially rely on 2G.
What to Audit in Your Business
Walk through your operations and identify every device that uses a mobile connection. The categories most SMEs miss are listed here.
Staff handsets. Check whether any company-issued phones are 2G-only. Look for “2G” or “E” on the signal indicator. If the phone never shows “4G” or “5G”, it will stop working when 2G is switched off.
Vehicle and fleet trackers. GPS tracking devices in vans, trucks or company vehicles often use 2G to transmit location data. Check with your tracking provider whether the hardware supports 4G.
Alarm systems. Some intruder and fire alarm communicators use 2G SIMs as a backup path when the primary broadband connection fails. This is separate from the ISDN/PSTN switch-off issue, which affects landline-connected alarms. Check with your alarm monitoring provider.
IoT and environmental sensors. Temperature monitors in cold storage, water leak sensors, air quality monitors and similar connected devices may use 2G or 3G SIMs. These are often installed once and forgotten until they stop reporting.
Personal safety devices. Lone worker alarms and personal safety pendants used by staff working remotely or in high-risk environments may depend on 2G to contact monitoring centres.
Payment terminals. Older mobile card machines with SIM-based connectivity may still fall back to 2G in areas with weak 4G coverage.
The Timeline and What It Means
The government’s confirmed timeline is 2029 to 2033 for 2G switch-off across all operators. Each network will set its own schedule within that window. VMO2 withdrew 2G roaming services in October 2025 and completed its 3G switch-off by early 2026. Other operators are expected to publish their 2G timelines during 2026 and 2027.
For businesses, the practical implication is straightforward. Devices purchased or installed today should support 4G at minimum. Any procurement decisions made from now on should exclude 2G-only equipment. And existing 2G devices should be catalogued so they can be replaced in phases rather than all at once under deadline pressure.
Start the Audit Before It Becomes Urgent
The ISDN switch-off has shown what happens when businesses delay infrastructure migration. Engineers become scarce, equipment availability tightens, and costs increase. The 2G timeline is longer, but the principle is the same: businesses that act early have more options and lower costs.
If you need help auditing your mobile estate, identifying 2G-dependent devices, or planning replacements, contact The Unite Group. We manage business communications and connectivity across the North East, and we can assess your device fleet alongside your broader telecoms infrastructure.