Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

2G

2G, or second-generation cellular network technology, marks the transition from analog to digital communication in mobile networks. Defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) under the GSM standard, which became the first globally adopted framework for mobile communications, 2G was first commercially launched in 1991 by Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) in Finland.[1] Following its introduction, the earlier mobile wireless network systems were retroactively designated as 1G. 2G networks were primarily designed to support voice calls and Short Message Service (SMS), with later advancements such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enabling basic data services, including email and limited internet access. Unlike 1G networks, which used analog radio signals, 2G networks utilized digital radio signals for communication between mobile devices and base stations. This transition to digital technology enabled the implementation of encryption for voice calls and data transmission, significantly improving the security of mobile communications while also increasing capacity and efficiency compared to earlier analog systems.

Later 2G releases, often referred to as 2.5G and 2.75G, include General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). GPRS allows 2G networks to achieve a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 40 kbit/s (5 kB/s). EDGE increases this capacity, providing a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 384 kbit/s (48 kB/s).

2G was succeeded by 3G technology, which provided higher data transfer rates and expanded mobile internet capabilities.

Technical overview

The most common 2G technology was the time-division multiple access (TDMA)-based GSM standard, used in most of the world outside Japan.[citation needed] In North America, Digital AMPS (IS-54 and IS-136) and cdmaOne (IS-95) were dominant, but GSM was also used.[2][citation needed] In Japan the ubiquitous system was Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), though another, Personal Handy-phone System (PHS), also existed.[citation needed]

Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their 1G predecessors were:

Evolution

Cellular network standards and generation timeline. (Large titles on the colored area refer to the lines to their right.

2.5G (GPRS)

2.5G ("second-and-a-half generation") refers to 2G systems that incorporate a packet-switched domain alongside the existing circuit-switched domain, most commonly implemented through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).[3] GPRS enables packet-based data transmission by dynamically allocating multiple timeslots to users, improving network efficiency. However, this does not inherently provide faster speeds, as similar techniques, such as timeslot bundling, are also employed in circuit-switched data services like High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD). Within GPRS-enabled 2G systems, the theoretical maximum transfer rate is 40 kbit/s (5 kB/s).[4]

2.75G (EDGE)

2.75G refers to the evolution of GPRS networks into EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) networks, achieved through the introduction of 8PSK (8 Phase Shift Keying) encoding. While the symbol rate remained constant at 270.833 samples per second, the use of 8PSK allowed each symbol to carry three bits instead of one, significantly increasing data transmission efficiency. Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), also known as Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC), is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone technology built as an extension to standard GSM. First deployed in 2003 by AT&T in the United States, EDGE offers a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 384 kbit/s (48 kB/s).[4]

2.875G (EDGE Evolution)

Evolved EDGE (also known as EDGE Evolution or 2.875G) is an enhancement of the EDGE mobile technology that was introduced as a late-stage upgrade to 2G networks. While EDGE was first deployed in the early 2000s as part of GSM networks, Evolved EDGE was launched much later, coinciding with the widespread adoption of 3G technologies such as HSPA and just before the emergence of 4G networks. This timing limited its practical application.

Evolved EDGE increased data throughput and reduced latencies (down to 80 ms) by utilizing improved modulation techniques, dual carrier support, dual antennas, and turbo codes. It achieved peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, significantly enhancing network efficiency for operators that had not yet transitioned to 3G or 4G infrastructures. However, despite its technical improvements, Evolved EDGE was never widely deployed. By the time it became available, most network operators were focused on implementing more advanced technologies like UMTS and LTE. As of 2016, no commercial networks were reported to support Evolved EDGE.

Phase-out

2G, understood as GSM and CdmaOne, has been superseded by newer technologies such as 3G (UMTS / CDMA2000), 4G (LTE / WiMAX) and 5G (5G NR). However, 2G networks were still available as of 2023 in most parts of the world, while notably excluding the majority of carriers in North America, East Asia, and Australasia.[5][6][7]

Many modern LTE-enabled devices have the ability to fall back to 2G for phone calls, necessary especially in rural areas where later generations have not yet been implemented.[8] In some places, its successor 3G is being shut down rather than 2G – Vodafone previously announced that it had switched off 3G across Europe in 2020 but still retains 2G as a fallback service.[9] In the US T-Mobile shut down their 3G services while retaining their 2G GSM network.[10][11]

Various carriers have made announcements that 2G technology in the United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries are in the process of being shut down, or have already shut down 2G services so that carriers can re-use the frequencies for newer technologies (e.g. 4G, 5G).[12][13]

As a legacy protocol, 2G connectivity is considered insecure.[14] Specifically, there exist well known methods to attack weaknesses in GSM since 2009[15] with practical use in crime.[16] Attack routes on 2G CdmaOne were found later and remain less publicized.[17]

Android 12 and later provide a network setting to disable 2G connectivity for the device.[18] iOS 16 and later can disable 2G connectivity by enabling Lockdown Mode.[19]

Criticism

In some parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, 2G remains widely used for older feature phones and for internet of things (IoT) devices such as smart meters, eCall systems and vehicle trackers to avoid the high patent licensing cost of newer technologies.[20] Terminating 2G services could leave vulnerable people who rely on 2G infrastructure unable to communicate even with emergency contacts, causing harm and possibly deaths.[21]

Past 2G networks

Country Status Network Shutdown date Standard Notes
 Åland Ålcom 2024 GSM 2G availability cannot be guaranteed after 1 Jan 2022, all stations are planned to be shut down in 2024.[22]
 Anguilla Digicel active GSM 900 MHz: 5 MHz GSM + 5 MHz UMTS
1900 MHz: 5 MHz UMTS [23][24][25][26]
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM [27][28]
 Antigua and Barbuda No Service APUA 2018-04-01 GSM [29]
Digicel 2024-05-31 GSM [30]
FLOW 2024-07-31 GSM [31]
 Aruba partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2024-06-30 GSM [32]
SETAR active GSM GSM-900 & GSM-1900
 Australia No Service Hutchison 3 2006-08-09 cdmaOne [33][34][35][36][37]
Optus 2017-08-01 GSM 2G shut down in WA and NT on 3 Apr 2017.[38][39]
Telstra 2008-04-28 cdmaOne [40][41][42][43][44]
Telstra 2016-12-01 GSM [45]
Vodafone 2018-06-14 GSM [46]
 Bahamas No Service Aliv N/A (no 2G)
BTC 2024-06-30 GSM [47][48][49]
 Bahrain Batelco 2021-11-30 GSM [50]
 Barbados partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2025-03-31 GSM 900 MHz: 6 MHz GSM /
1800 MHz: 12 MHz GSM [51]
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM
 Belgium Orange 2030 GSM [52]
Telenet 2027 GSM [53]
Proximus 2027 GSM [54]
 Bermuda Digicel active GSM 1900 MHz: 15 MHz GSM + 15 MHz LTE [55]
One active GSM 1900 MHz: 5 MHz GSM + 20 MHz LTE [55]
 Bonaire partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2025-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM
 British Virgin Islands CCT active GSM 1900 MHz: 10 MHz GSM + 20 MHz LTE [56]
Digicel active GSM 1800 MHz: 15 MHz GSM
1900 MHz: 5 MHz GSM + 10 MHz UMTS [56]
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM [57]
 Brunei No Service UNN 2021-06-01 GSM National Wholesale Network used by DSTCom, Progresif and imagine.[58][59]
 Canada Bell 2019-04-30 cdmaOne Shutdown of CDMA transmitters commenced in remote areas in 2017, followed by an official announcement in June 2018 that 2G devices will lose service soon.[60][61]
Rogers Wireless TBD GSM 1900 MHz shutdown in Jun 2021.
850 MHz remains active.[62][63][64][65]
SaskTel 2017-07-31 cdmaOne [66][67]
Telus Mobility 2017-05-31 cdmaOne [68][69]
 Cayman Islands partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2020-07-01 GSM [70][71]
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM
 China China Mobile active GSM 900 MHz: 15 MHz GSM
1800 MHz: 25 MHz GSM [72]
China Telecom 2025 cdmaOne Local shutdown commenced on 01 Jun 2020.
CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A/B (3G) service also terminates.[72][73][74]
China Unicom 2025 GSM Local shutdown commenced on 18 Apr 2018.[72][75][76][74][77]
 Chile Entel 2024 Q3 GSM Local shutdown commenced on 22 Jul 2024 in the Arica and Parinacota Region.[78]
 Colombia Claro 2023-02-23 GSM [79][80]
Tigo 2022-11-01 GSM [81]
 Curaçao Digicel 2025-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-02-29 GSM [82][83]
 Dominica partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2027-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-03-?? GSM [84]
 France Bouygues 2026-12-31 GSM [85]
Orange 2025-12-31 GSM [52]
SFR 2026 GSM [86]
 Germany Deutsche Telekom 2028-06-30 GSM [87]
Vodafone 2030-12-31 GSM [88]
Telefónica (O2) TBD GSM
 Grenada unconfirmed Digicel 2024-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM
 Guam unconfirmed GTA Teleguam ? GSM
 Hong Kong 3 2008-11-20 cdmaOne Shut down due to license expiry. Government originally did not allow the license to be renewed due to unpopularity, however the government later reversed the decision and held an auction for CDMA2000 service, which PCCW-HKT won the auction and provided CDMA2000 service immediately after 3's license expiry.
3 2021-09-30 GSM [89]
CMHK active GSM 1800 MHz only
CSL 2005 D-AMPS Service previously provided by Pacific Link, which subsequently merged into CSL. Shut down due to license expiry. Government did not allow the license to be renewed due to unpopularity.
CSL 2017-10-31 cdmaOne Service previously provided by PCCW-HKT, which its mobile business subsequently merged into CSL after PCCW aquisition of CSL. No service for local customers, only served incoming roaming tourists.
CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[90]
CSL 2024-11-08 GSM [91]
SmarTone 2022-10-14 GSM [92]
 Iceland 2025 GSM Per government statement.[93]
 Israel Hot Mobile 2019-12-31 iDEN [94]
2025 GSM Per government statement.[95]
 Jamaica No Service Digicel 2024-08-31 GSM [96][97]
FLOW 2024-04-15 GSM [98][97][99]
 Japan No Service au KDDI 2012-07-22 cdmaOne [100]
NTT Docomo 2012-03-31 PDC [101]
Softbank 2010-03-31 PDC [102]
 Jordan Umniah 2021-03-11 GSM [103]
 Luxembourg Orange 2030 GSM [52]
 Macau No Service CTM 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers terminated on 4 Jun 2015, but remained for roaming users.[104][105][106]
3 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers terminated on 4 Jun 2015, but remained for roaming users.[104][105]
SmarTone 2019-08-01 GSM Service for local customers terminated on 4 Jun 2015, but remained for roaming users.[104][105]
 Mexico AT&T 2019-09-01 GSM [107]
Local shutdown commenced in Q1 2019.
Movistar 2021-01-01 GSM [108]
 Montserrat unconfirmed Digicel ? GSM
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM
 Netherlands T-Mobile 2021-06-01 /
2023-11-15 (IoT)
GSM [109]
 New Caledonia OPT-NC 2025 GSM Shutdown commenced in 2022.[110]
 New Zealand 2degrees 2018-03-15 GSM [111]
Spark 2012-07-31 cdmaOne [112][113]
 Norway Telenor 2025 GSM [114]
Telia 2025 GSM [114]
 Panama Digicel 2022-06-30 GSM Complete shutdown of operations and market exit.[115][116][117][118]
 Peru Bitel N/A (no 2G)
 Poland Orange 2030 GSM [52]
 Romania Orange 2030 GSM [52]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis Digicel 2027-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM [119]
 Saint Lucia partially
unconfirmed
Digicel 2027-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM [120]
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Digicel 2027-03-31 GSM
FLOW 2023-09-30 GSM [121][122][123][124]
 Singapore No Service M1 2017-04-18 GSM [125]
Singtel 2017-04-18 GSM [125]
StarHub 2017-04-18 GSM [125]
 Sint Maarten
 Saba
 Sint Eustatius
No Service TelCell 2019-01-01 GSM [126]
FLOW (UTS) 2017-09-26 GSM [127]
 Slovakia Orange 2030 GSM [52]
 South Africa TBD GSM Per government statement.[128][129]
 South Korea No Service KT 2012-03-19 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rel. 0 (3G) service has also terminated.[130]
LG Uplus 2021-06-30 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A/B (3G) service has also terminated.[131]
SK Telecom 2020-07-27 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rel. 0 (3G) service has also terminated.[132]
 Spain Orange 2030 GSM [52]
 Sweden Net4Mobility (Telenor/Tele2) 2025-12-31 GSM 2G network will be shut down by the end of 2025.[133][134][135]
Telia 2027 GSM Shutdown pushed back from 2025 to 2027.[136][137]
  Switzerland No Service Salt 2020-12-31 GSM Shutdown commenced on 1 Jul 2020. A few single 2G-only sites remained until Sep 2023 to preserve CSFB functionality.[138][139][140]
Sunrise 2023-01-03 GSM With the introduction of S-RAN in 2018 phaseout was previously postponed to 2022.[141][142][143]
Swisscom 2021-04-07 GSM Official shutdown on 31 Dec 2020 (guaranteed availability).[144][145][146]
 Taiwan No Service Chunghwa Telecom 2017-06-30 GSM [147]
FarEasTone 2017-06-30 GSM [147]
Taiwan Mobile 2017-06-30 GSM [147]
 Trinidad and Tobago Digicel 2024-12-31 GSM [148][149][150]
bmobile (TSTT) TBD GSM 850 MHz: 2.5 MHz GSM + 5 MHz UMTS [151][152]
 Turks and Caicos Islands Digicel 2025-06-30 GSM 900 MHz: 9.8 MHz GSM [153]
FLOW 2024-04-22 GSM [154]
 United Arab Emirates No Service Du 2023-12-31 GSM [155]
Etisalat 2023-12-31 GSM [156]
 United Kingdom 2033 GSM Per government statement on confirmation by mobile providers.[157][158][159]
 United States
 Puerto Rico
 US Virgin Islands
AT&T 2017-01-01 GSM [160]
Cellcom
(US only)
2023-12-01 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[161]
Claro
(PR only)
2028-12-31 GSM
Commnet Wireless (Choice)
(US only)
2022-12-31 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[162]
Copper Valley Wireless 2022-09-30 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[163]
T-Mobile 2024-10 GSM Shutdown commenced on 1 Sep 2024.[164][165]
T-Mobile (Sprint) 2022-05-31 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.
Shutdown commenced on 31 Mar 2022.[166][167][168][169]
UScellular
(US only)
2024-01-14 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[170][171]
Verizon
(US only)
2022-12-31 cdmaOne CDMA2000 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A (3G) service has also terminated.[172]
 Venezuela Digitel 2025 GSM Shutdown commenced in May 2021.[173]
Movilnet 2025 GSM [173]
Movistar 2025 GSM Shutdown commenced on 01 Jul 2022.[173]
 Vietnam No Service Gmobile 2024-10-16 GSM per government regulation[174]
Mobifone 2024-10-16 GSM per government regulation[174]
Vietnamobile N/A (no 2G)
Viettel 2024-10-16 GSM per government regulation[174]
Vinaphone 2024-10-16 GSM per government regulation[174]

See also

References

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Preceded by Mobile Telephony Generations Succeeded by