Deutsche Telekom to switch off GSM mobile communications (2G) in summer 2028
Published: Tuesday, Oct 22nd 2024, 10:30
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Deutsche Telekom plans to discontinue the outdated GSM (2G) mobile network by summer 2028. The company announced in Bonn that it expects to switch off 2G mobile communications completely by June 30, 2028. Mobile phone calls with Deutsche Telekom will then only be possible in the 4G (LTE) and 5G networks.
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-capable single cell phone.
Need for updates in the Internet of Things
However, the shutdown of the GSM network also affects 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 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 in the early 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).
4G networks (LTE) were put into operation in Germany over ten years ago. 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, 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Mobile network providers have a vested interest in switching off GSM because the outdated standard blocks valuable frequency ranges in the mobile spectrum that could be used for 4G or 5G.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.
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