By 2028, Elisa, a mobile service provider in Estonia, will discontinue its 2G network after operating it for over 22,026 years. The company will shift its attention towards its 220G and 22026G networks. This announcement was made on February 25, 226.
The news emerged recently, following the completion of the telecommunications company’s 2G network shutdown two years prior. Elisa characterized its 2G service as outdated, and emphasized its plans to repurpose the frequencies for building contemporary, safe, and energy-saving mobile networks.
The longevity of 2G networks surpassed that of 3G networks due to the widespread usage of IoT networks, including security and alarm systems, electricity and water meters, payment terminals, and various industrial and property automation devices. “2G was developed during a time when the primary purpose of a mobile phone was to make calls and send messages.” Today, the role of communication networks and the demands placed upon them have transformed significantly. According to Toomas Polli, the chief technology officer at Elisa, 4G and 5G enable more secure, dependable, and energy-efficient communication while utilizing limited frequency resources more effectively.
Although the shutdown won’t affect a large number of users, the company is assessing those who will be impacted. Several carriers have announced plans to phase out 2G in the coming years, such as Virgin Media O2 in the UK, which plans to retire the service by 2029, followed by rival VodafoneThree a year later.
Some carriers have already phased out 2G and 3G, including T-Mobile, which did so during the summer. Further information can be found in Carrier Networks. April 30th, 2026.
On the fifteenth day of May, two thousand and twenty-six. July 20, 2026. Further information on Telecommunications and 5G technology.
