When will 2G and 3G networks disappear in France?

Orange was the first to position itself, in February 2022, during the Mobile World Congress. A year later, it is now its competitors who present their timetable for the extinction of 2G and 3G networks. SFR chose the path of a press release at the end of January, while Bouygues Telecom revealed its intentions in an interview with The Digital Factorya few days later.

When will the 2G and 3G networks close?

To date, only Free Mobile has presented an end schedule for 2G and 3G. It should however be noted that 2G at Free Mobile is already inactive. As can be seen in theobservatory of the National Frequency Agency, no 2G site is in service at Free, either for the 900 MHz or 1,800 MHz band. Only 3G is still operational.

Why close the 2G and 3G networks?

” These technologies are coming to an end “, according to Jean-Christophe Ravaux, BtoB Market Director of Bouygues Telecom, interviewed by our colleagues. There is also the reality of the market, which has largely switched to 4G today. Deployed at the beginning of the 2010 decade, this generation is now extremely common and covers almost everyone.

According to the operators’ indications and the measurements taken by the telecoms regulator, here is the degree of 4G coverage achieved by each of the four major French operators, both in terms of population and territory – these are data that date from the month of March 2022. When the death knell sounds for 2G and 3G, these rates will have increased further.

The closure of 2G and 3G is also part of a more global movement where each new generation of mobile telephony brings new functionalities, performances and prospects. This is why the operators add “G”. For example, 2G is limited to voice and SMS, while 3G adds a low-speed Internet connection.

4G and 5G offer better prospects in this regard. However, questions arise about future uses, especially as we are starting to hear about 6G. If 4G has greatly improved speeds, offering a real interest for the general public, the developments of 5G and 6G seem to be aimed more at manufacturers than at individuals.

What will become of 2G and 3G frequencies?

In France, 2G uses frequencies in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands. On the 3G side, these are the 900 and 2100 MHz bands. The closure of these networks will, de facto, make these frequencies available for something else. But in this case, it is expected that operators can recycle them to mobilize them for the benefit of 4G and especially 5G.

The 900 MHz band was allocated in 1986. It has excellent characteristics for indoor coverage and for long distance coverage. On the other hand, its theoretical maximum flow rate is particularly low. The 1800 MHz band is a little less unbalanced: its speed is better, but it carries less and penetrates buildings less. It was allocated in 1994. The 2100 MHz band, allocated in 2001, is similar to the 1800 MHz.

What about 5G coverage then?

The deployment of 5G in France began at the end of 2020. This brand new mobile telephone network is still very far from equaling 4G, despite thousands of sites already operational. However, it is already possible to be covered if you live near a large city – and provided you have a 5G plan and own a recent smartphone.

You also have tools to help you check if you are covered in 5G.

When 2G goes out in 2025 at Orange, 5G coverage must have progressed enough to reach two-thirds of the population in mainland France – this is what is planned in the 5G calendar in France. Five years later, 5G will have to reach the same levels as 4G today, which will further justify the retirement of 2G and 3G.

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