Orange shut down its 2G network on October 20, 2026, in the last 43 departments of mainland France where it was still running, bringing the technology to a close across the continental territory. Only the regulatory “white zones” remain, where access will end between December 1 and 15, and Mayotte, expected by the end of the year. The next step is 3G, which the carrier will shut down in 2028.
Orange’s 2G shutdown in France in 30 seconds
- Orange shut down 2G on October 20 in 43 departments, following a phased rollout that began in March.
- Remaining are the regulatory white zones, until December 1-15, and Mayotte, by the end of 2026.
- The freed 5 MHz of spectrum will go to 4G and 5G.
- As of late March there were 4.5 million 2G- or 3G-only SIMs in France, according to Arcep.
- Orange’s 3G network will shut down in 2028.
The shutdown caps a staggered schedule. Orange began in Réunion in late 2025 and, in mainland France, started on March 31, 2026, in the Biarritz, Anglet, and Bayonne area. The Landes and the rest of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques followed on May 12, seven southwestern departments on June 9, Nice on September 22, and 44 departments on October 6. In the French Antilles and French Guiana, the network was fully shut down on September 29.
Why Orange Is Retiring 2G Before 3G
The carrier explains on its website that 2G and 3G no longer meet current connectivity needs and are less efficient, both technically and environmentally. 4G covers 99.9% of the French population, according to Orange, and 5G continues to expand. 2G goes first because it’s the oldest and least-used technology.
Energy savings is one of the main arguments. Orange cites the French Federation of Telecoms (FFT), which estimates that 2G and 3G networks still consume between 21% and 33% of mobile networks’ electricity, and that transmitting a gigabyte over 2G can use up to 500 times more energy than over 5G. The freed frequencies, 5 MHz, will be reassigned to 4G and 5G. The company adds that newer technologies are more secure, with stronger encryption and authentication, which reduces the attack surface.
Millions of SIMs and Devices Left Without a Network
The problem lies less with phones than with connected equipment. Arcep, France’s telecom regulator, warns that devices working only on 2G or 3G will need to be replaced: connected alarms and video surveillance, remote-assistance systems, connected thermostats, intercoms, some medical devices, and the most basic or older phones without 4G. According to specialized French media, elevator alarms are also affected. Another case is the emergency SOS button in cars, an issue cloudnews.tech already covered in looking at how the 2G and 3G blackout threatens the SOS button on millions of cars.
According to Arcep’s observatory, as of late March 2026 there were 2.13 million phone and tablet SIM cards limited to 2G or 3G in mainland France, 2.6% of that fleet, and 2.40 million machine-to-machine (M2M) SIMs, 9.3% of that segment. The figures are falling quarter over quarter, but they show that much of the affected equipment is connected devices rather than phones. The regulator recommends checking these devices now with the service provider and confirming that phones support 4G and VoLTE calling, since some 4G handsets can’t make voice calls without that feature.
Orange says it won’t reduce coverage, including in rural and mountain areas, that customers don’t need to change plans, and that it has been notifying individuals and businesses for years, including voice messages to those still using 2G. Other French carriers are following their own timelines: according to Arcep, SFR plans to shut down 3G by the end of 2028 and Bouygues Telecom by the end of 2029, while Free Mobile hasn’t announced a date. France thus joins a European trend in which carriers like Deutsche Telekom have already set their own 2G shutdown for 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Orange shut down its 2G network in France?
It completed the shutdown on October 20, 2026, in the last 43 departments of mainland France. In the regulatory white zones, access ends between December 1 and 15, 2026, and in Mayotte, by year’s end.
When will Orange shut down 3G?
In 2028, both in mainland France and in its overseas territories.
Which devices stop working once 2G ends?
According to Arcep, those that only work on 2G or 3G, such as some alarms, remote-assistance systems, intercoms, connected thermostats, certain medical devices, and phones without 4G.
How many 2G or 3G SIM cards were left in France?
As of late March 2026, Arcep counted 2.13 million phone and tablet SIMs and 2.40 million M2M SIMs limited to 2G or 3G in mainland France.
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