The networks that brought mobile phones and SMS to most of the world are being turned off. Around the globe, operators are shutting down 2G and 3G to free radio spectrum for faster 4G and 5G. By mid-2026 the industry body GSA had counted 313 switch-offs completed, under way or planned in 89 countries and territories. In Africa the pace is slower, because millions of people still rely on basic phones. But the clock is running, and devices from feature phones to card machines to car trackers are on borrowed time. This report shows where the switch-off stands and what it means for anyone who sends or relies on SMS.
Key findings
The switch-off is speeding up
2G and 3G switch-offs counted by GSA
Completed, planned or in progress, worldwide.
Most operators are not just retiring old networks. GSA found that 58% of those switching off are upgrading to both 4G and 5G. But some have missed their own target dates, often because too many customers were still on old devices.
Where the switch-offs are happening
Share of all switch-offs by region (GSA, 2026). Tap to compare.
Africa: slower, for good reason
Africa is a small share of the global count. GSA researchers say the pace is held back by a user base on legacy networks that is still growing in some areas. Basic phones are cheap, their batteries last for days, and they handle the two services many people use most: voice and SMS, including USSD mobile money menus.
South Africa: the test case
South Africa was the first big African market to set dates. The government first ordered 2G off by June 2024 and 3G by March 2025. Both deadlines were pushed back to the end of 2027, and the regulator ICASA is studying the economic impact on people in areas with weak 4G. MTN South Africa has been closing “pockets” of 3G where 4G is strong enough to take over.
Countdown to South Africa’s deadline
31 December 2027, the current cut-off for 2G and 3G.
In East Africa we found no published national switch-off date for Kenya. Kenyan operators are still selling and supporting 2G and 3G phones, and much of the rural network still depends on them. See Who Is Still Offline 2026 for who would be most affected.
Will SMS die with 2G?
No. SMS is not tied to 2G. On 4G networks, texts travel over the IP-based core (IMS) or a fallback link to the old core, and 5G phones send SMS the same way. Bulk SMS gateways, OTPs and alerts keep working. What dies is the device that can only speak 2G or 3G. If a customer’s phone cannot connect to 4G, it will stop receiving your messages the day its network goes dark.
Is your device at risk?
Device risk checker
Pick a device type to see how exposed it is to a 2G/3G switch-off.
What businesses should do now
- Audit your hardware. List every SIM-based device: alarms, POS terminals, trackers, meters, SMS modems. Check which network it uses.
- Ask your operator for dates. Switch-offs often happen region by region before the national deadline.
- Do not rely on a GSM modem. Sending through a cloud SMS gateway, rather than a SIM in a box, removes the risk on your side.
- Keep messages short and plain. The phones that reach 4G last are often cheap ones. Plain one-part SMS remains the format everyone can read.
Methodology
Global counts come from GSA’s public summaries of its August 2026 report, and earlier editions, as reported by trade press. GSA’s full country data is behind a member login, so we did not publish country totals for Africa. South African dates come from news reports on the government and ICASA decisions. Device risk ratings are our editorial view based on the network each device type typically uses.
FAQs
When will Kenya switch off 2G and 3G?
No date has been published. Kenyan operators still run 2G and 3G networks alongside 4G, and many rural users depend on them.
Will my feature phone stop working?
Only when the network it uses is switched off in your area. Many newer feature phones support 4G, including VoLTE. Check the box or settings for “4G” or “LTE”.
Does bulk SMS work on 4G and 5G?
Yes. SMS is carried on 4G and 5G networks, so messages from an SMS gateway reach any phone that is connected.
Why are operators switching off old networks?
To reuse the radio spectrum for faster 4G and 5G, cut the cost of running several networks at once, and save energy.
Sources
- GSA, “2G and 3G Switch Off – August 2026”. gsacom.com
- TelecomLead, “Global 2G and 3G shutdowns reach 313 as operators accelerate 4G and 5G migration”, 2026. telecomlead.com
- Advanced Television, “Data: Europe leads 3G switch-off”, 12 August 2026. advanced-television.com
- Nation, “Sunset looms for Africa’s 2G and 3G networks”. nation.africa
- Techloy, “MTN subscribers in South Africa are bracing up for the end of 3G”. techloy.com
- African Wireless Communications, “MTN South Africa to shut down 3G this year”. africanwirelesscomms.com
- Ofcom, “2G and 3G switch-off: our expectations of mobile providers”. ofcom.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
When will Kenya switch off 2G and 3G?
No date has been published. Kenyan operators still run 2G and 3G networks alongside 4G, and many rural users depend on them.
Will my feature phone stop working?
Only when the network it uses is switched off in your area. Many newer feature phones support 4G, including VoLTE. Check the box or settings for “4G” or “LTE”.
Does bulk SMS work on 4G and 5G?
Yes. SMS is carried on 4G and 5G networks, so messages from an SMS gateway reach any phone that is connected.
Why are operators switching off old networks?
To reuse the radio spectrum for faster 4G and 5G, cut the cost of running several networks at once, and save energy.