The end of 2G and 3G was announced by Orange. It is scheduled for 2025 and 2028 at the incumbent French operator.
The number 1 telephone operator Orange announced earlier this week that the 2G and 3G network would be cut in certain regions of France. If this cut worries many people, especially in rural areas, who still do not benefit from 4G or 5G, it should not happen until 2025 for 2G and 2028 for 3G assures the operator.
In our Belgian and Spanish neighbours, where Orange is also installed, the calendar should be reversed, with a cut off of 3G from 2025 and the end of 2G before 2030. The objective of this removal of networks is to free up frequencies for set up greater 4G and 5G coverage, and also to improve the quality of the latter.
If the simple user should not see major changes in his daily life, there are still few people who use 2G every day, things could be much more complicated for professionals. In fact, many pieces of equipment still work with this technology from another time. Alarm systems, but also cash dispensers communicate with the outside world thanks to 2G, so we will have to make changes, and quickly.
A first in France, not in Europe
If this maneuver is a first in France, the three operators having not yet made any announcement on this subject, Orange is not a pioneer for all that. Indeed, other European countries have already begun, or completed, this transition to more recent technologies. Professionals will therefore have to change their equipment in order to adapt to this new technology which is coming, or else change operator in order to keep the current outdated equipment.
Regarding SFR, Bouygues and Free, no regulations force them to cut their 2G network, so they can take their time and recover contracts in the coming years. An interesting calculation to make, except perhaps for Free which has a tiny 2G network and which is not likely to be very interesting for professionals.
The end of 2G and 3G, an ecological action?
In his press release (available in source), Orange explains that the end of 2G and 3G by 2030 should be good news both for users, who will be entitled to a better 4G and 5G network, and for the planet. Indeed, the telephone operator ensures that the transition to 4G and 5G should make it possible to make significant energy savings. These networks, which are more optimized and faster, should consume less for the same amount of data circulating.
Orange ensures that its objectives in terms of sustainable development have “played a key role” in the design of this network development plan. “Focusing our efforts on optimizing the efficiency of our networks will also contribute to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our sustainability goals of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2040. » concludes Michaël Trabbia, Director of Technology and Innovation within the Orange group.
