Telecommunications Deutsche Telekom to switch off GSM mobile communications (2G) in summer 2028
Deutsche Telekom wants to discontinue the outdated GSM (2G) mobile network by summer 2028. Mobile phone calls with Deutsche Telekom will then only be possible in the 4G (LTE) and 5G networks.
The company announced in a press release on Tuesday that it expects to switch off 2G mobile communications completely by June 30, 2028. Owners of old 2G cell phones will be affected by the technical changeover. They will no longer be able to make calls with these devices from summer 2028 and will have to switch to either a smartphone or an LTE-compatible cell phone.
Competitor Vodafone is taking longer to phase out GSM and plans to gradually switch off the available network capacity for 2G in Germany, probably by the end of 2030. Telefónica O2, the third GSM network operator in Germany, on the other hand, wants to continue operating 2G for the time being and has not yet specified a switch-off date.
Need for updates in the Internet of Things
The shutdown of the GSM network not only affects telephony, but also services in the Internet of Things. These include, for example, some networked electricity meters or alarm systems that are still online via GSM.
Deutsche Telekom recommends that providers and users take action now and prepare to replace the remaining old radio modules to ensure that these systems continue to function as desired after the 2G shutdown.
Particularly in the case of devices or systems with long-term service cycles, timely planning can make the replacement comparatively cost-effective.
GSM - developed in Europe
The GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard developed in Europe defined digital mobile networks for the first time and replaced the analog mobile networks A, B and C in Germany at the beginning of the 1990s. The technology is also referred to as 2G - the second generation of mobile communications technology. The analog technologies are collectively referred to as the first generation (1G). The successor to GSM (2G) in Europe was UMTS (3G).
Over ten years ago, 4G networks (LTE) were put into operation in Germany. The fourth generation of mobile communications not only enables faster data transmission, but also offers better voice quality than GSM with VoLTE (Voice over LTE). The fifth generation of mobile communications, 5G, has been available since 2019.
In many countries - such as Scandinavia and Switzerland - 2G networks have already been shut down. In Germany, Deutsche Telekom is the first network operator to announce a switch-off date for 2G.
More frequency spectrum for 4G and 5G
Mobile network providers have a vested interest in switching off GSM because the outdated standard blocks valuable frequency ranges in the mobile spectrum that could be used for 4G or 5G. "We can use the freed-up 2G frequency spectrum to further improve our network," says Abdu Mudesir, Managing Director Technology at Telekom Deutschland.
"We want fast data transmission for everyone - and we want it everywhere." This is why Deutsche Telekom will use the frequencies in its network for 4G and 5G in the future to make mobile surfing even better, especially in rural areas.
Vodafone plans to gradually switch off GSM in Germany by the end of 2030. "By that time, the technology will be almost 40 years old and a large proportion of the underlying devices will have become obsolete by then and will no longer be supported by the providers," said Tanja Richter. A smooth migration from 2G to other networks will be ensured - for cell phones and the Internet of Things.
A Telefónica spokesperson said that 2G will remain the basic network for mobile telephony and SMS in the O2 network for the time being. In the event of any changes, customers will be "informed in good time in advance and in accordance with their contract". Nevertheless, O2 also generally recommends "switching to future-proof devices with 4G/5G or with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) functionality for mobile telephony via the 4G/LTE network."
SDA
