Operators in France deployed 2G and 3G networks in the 1990s then in the 2000s, and have now decided to programme their retirement between 2026 and 2029. After several decades of service, mobile operators announced their respective sunset timetables for these technologies in Metropolitan France, starting in 2022, with a view to a complete switchover to new generation 4G and 5G networks. The reasons that operators have given for shutting down these older systems include security, quality of service and energy consumption. As some equipment still depends on these 2G and 3G systems to operate (mobile phones, lift remote alarm systems, telemonitoring systems…), Arcep wanted to supplement its quarterly reporting on the SIM cards connected to mobile networks with a dedicated reporting on “2G” and “3G/2G” SIM card use. This observatory will be presented today at a meeting that Arcep and France’s Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE) are hosting with mobile operators and representative trade associations of machine-to-machine (M2M) equipment users.
As of Q2 2025, there were 5.9 million SIM cards in devices that are only “2G” or “3G/2G” compatible
This observatory provides quarterly reporting on the number of SIM cards in the devices that are compatible only with 2G or with 2G and 3G, belonging to the subscribers of French operators Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR, and only in Metropolitan France[1]. It publishes the data collected from these operators, with figures broken into two categories of device:
- Devices used for voice/SMS/mobile internet services (and particularly mobile phones and tablets);
- Devices used for machine-to-machine (M2M) services: smart alarm and telemonitoring systems; phone assistance services for home care… excluding SIM cards that automakers install in their vehicles.
The number of SIM cards in the devices that are compatible only with 2G or with 2G and 3G, belonging to the subscribers of French operators Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR, and only in Metropolitan France, has decreased by about a third over the past year.
At the end of June 2025, 2.7 million (45%) of these SIM cards – of which 1.6 million “2G” and 1.1 million “2G/3G” – were being used in devices to access voice/SMS/mobile internet services, and 3.2 million (55%) – of which 1.2 million “2G” and 2 million “3G/2G” – in devices for Machine-to-Machine services. For M2M services, a decrease of more than 18% was observed between December 2024[2] and June 2025.
Arcep committed to ensuring that operators keep users properly informed
Arcep is especially attentive to the actions that operators are implementing to make their customers aware of the upcoming retirement of 2G and 3G technologies and, when necessary, to help them take the necessary actions to prepare for this sunset. This new observatory will ensure regular reporting on the progression of SIM cards installed in devices that are compatible only with 2G or with 2G and 3G, belonging to the subscribers of French operators Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR, and so also help in assessing the impact of these efforts to keep users informed.
Informative content on the retirement of 2G and 3G technologies is also available on the Arcep website
For consumers (in French): 2G and 3G mobile network sunset: are you ready?
For businesses, local authorities and property managers (in French): 2G and 3G mobile network sunset: are you ready?
Annex:
[1] SIM cards belonging to foreign operators’ subscribers installed in devices that are only “2G” and “3G/2G” compatible being used for roaming in France are not included in the scope of this observatory.
[2] Data as of end of 2024 published by the Fédération Française des Télécoms (FFT) (2G and 3G network retirement: a crucial step to update telecoms infrastructures (in French) · Fédération Française des Télécoms). A similar comparison between data published by Arcep and FFT on devices used for voice/SMS/mobile internet services is not relevant as the scope of inquiry is not identical.