2G & 3G network shutdowns.
Is your IoT fleet really ready?

Mobile operators around the world are gradually decommissioning their 2G (GSM) and 3G (UMTS) networks. This allows them to reuse spectrum and network resources for other technologies such as LTE-M, NB-IoT, LTE and 5G.

Shutdown dates vary by country and operator. Once the last network supported by a device is switched off in a particular location, the device will no longer be able to connect there until its connectivity or hardware has been upgraded or replaced.

Any device that relies exclusively on 2G or 3G connectivity may be affected. Examples include:

• Smart meters
• Alarm and security systems
• Industrial sensors
• Asset trackers
• Payment terminals
• Vehicle telematics equipment
• Remote monitoring devices

Check your device inventory for modules supporting GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or HSPA. These are 2G or 3G technologies.

Some devices support several network technologies. A device may therefore currently use 2G or 3G while also supporting 4G, LTE-M or NB-IoT. These devices may be configurable without requiring a complete replacement.

There is no single replacement technology for every IoT use case. The right option depends on the device, its data requirements, mobility, power consumption and geographical coverage.

• LTE Cat-1 or Cat-1 bis can suit devices requiring mobility, moderate data speeds and broad 4G availability.
• LTE-M can suit low-power devices requiring mobility, such as trackers, wearables and vehicle-related applications.
• NB-IoT can suit fixed, low-data and power-efficient devices such as meters, alarms and environmental sensors.
• LTE Cat-4 and 5G may be appropriate for devices requiring higher throughput or more advanced functionality.

Comparison of IoT network technologies

LTE-M and NB-IoT are designed for low-power IoT with extended coverage, but roaming support varies by operator and country. A module upgrade or full device replacement may be required depending on your current hardware.

If your devices only support 2G or 3G radios, hardware upgrade or replacement will be needed. We can put you in touch with our device manufacturer partners to help assess your fleet and identify the right path for each device type.

Migrations that need new hardware take longer, because they involve auditing your device inventory, selecting and procuring replacement modules or devices, testing, and rolling out across sites. Timelines scale with fleet size, device diversity and how much hardware must change, so the earlier you begin, the more time you have to spread the cost and avoid a rushed switch off.

Once a device needs to be replaced, it's recommended to shift to a future-proof device that functions with eUICC eSIM profiles. eSIM uses eUICC technology to store and switch connectivity profiles remotely, without physically replacing a SIM card. melita.io supports GSMA SGP.22, the current production standard for IoT eSIM. For devices that support eSIM, this is the most scalable and cost-effective migration path.

How 2G and 3G shutdowns impact an IoT fleet goes beyond connectivity loss. Devices that go offline can disrupt service availability, break automated data collection pipelines, trigger compliance gaps in regulated industries, and create unplanned hardware replacement costs across large installed bases.

The scale of your exposure depends on three things:

• How many devices in your fleet are 2G- or 3G-only
• Where they are deployed geographically
• How critical they are to operations

Start with a full IoT device audit. Identify every asset still using GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or HSPA modules, map each against the confirmed shutdown timeline in every country you operate in and classify by business criticality.

For devices that are 2G- or 3G-only, plan hardware migration lead times carefully. Sourcing, integration testing, logistics and field deployment across a large fleet can take 12 to 24 months and sometimes even more.

There is no single global date. Every country, and often every operator within a country, sets its own shutdown timeline. Coverage can also degrade before the official switch-off date, as operators scale back legacy cells and reallocate spectrum to 4G and 5G, meaning devices may lose connectivity before the published deadline.

• Germany, Switzerland, Sweden. 3G already fully shut down.
• Western Europe. 2G switch-off dates confirmed for 2026 to 2028.
• Remaining markets. Dates set operator by operator.

Work backwards from the earliest 3G switch-off date or 2G sunset in your markets, not the latest.

Three steps: know what you have, know your deadlines, and act on your highest-risk devices first.

Start by auditing your installed base. Every device still running on a 2G or 3G-only module is at risk. Prioritise devices that are safety-critical, revenue-critical or difficult to access physically, as they carry the highest risk of costly downtime and expensive field replacements. Check the confirmed shutdown schedule for each country you operate in and build your migration timeline by working backwards from the earliest relevant deadline in your markets.

For 2G- or 3G-only hardware, allow 12 to 24 months or more for procurement, testing and field deployment at scale. The planning window is narrowing in several key markets.

If your device hardware supports 4G, LTE-M or NB-IoT, a melita.io SIM or eSIM handles the network transition automatically. Our multi-network SIMs connect to the strongest available network across more than 180 countries, so your fleet is not locked to any single operator's shutdown timeline or coverage footprint.

melita.io supports GSMA SGP.22 for IoT eSIM, with SGP.32 on our roadmap, giving you a scalable path for large fleet management as the eSIM ecosystem matures.

The one thing you need to verify on your side is the device hardware itself. If it only supports 2G or 3G radios, no SIM can work around that, and the hardware will need to be upgraded before the shutdown reaches your market. With the support of its international solutions partners, melita.io can help you assess your fleet and identify which devices need hardware replacement.