Marc
21 June 2026 · 5 min read
After copper and ADSL, another ageing technology is bowing out: 2G. Launched in the early 1990s, it carried our calls and our very first text messages for thirty years. In 2026, French operators are starting to switch it off for good. Should you worry about your texts and calls? Here's the timeline, the phones affected and the checks to make.
Photo: Unsplash — calls and texts migrate to 4G and 5G networks.
Why shut down 2G?
2G (the GSM standard) dates back to 1992. It's barely used for data today, but it still acts as a safety net for voice and SMS when 4G isn't available. The problem: keeping it alive ties up valuable spectrum and costly equipment that operators would rather reassign to the far more efficient 4G and 5G networks.
The French government and the regulator Arcep have therefore approved the gradual shutdown of the old mobile networks. 2G goes first, from 2026; 3G follows, staying on a little longer, until 2028-2029. It's the same modernisation logic as the end of the copper network and ADSL on the fixed-internet side.
The 2026 timeline, operator by operator
Each operator moves at its own pace, but all of them close 2G in 2026:
| Operator | 2G shutdown starts | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Spring 2026 | Begins in the South-West, then nationwide between 22 September and 20 October 2026 |
| SFR | 15 November 2026 | Dense areas first, then everywhere in December |
| Bouygues Telecom | 15 November 2026 | Same logic: dense areas first, then expansion |
| Free Mobile | Orange's schedule | Free has no 2G network of its own and relies on Orange |
In practice, from the second half of 2026, 2G disappears area by area. 3G stays available a little longer, but its turn will come as early as 2028.
Who is actually affected?
Good news: the vast majority of recent smartphones won't notice a thing. Calls and texts will simply move over to 4G (and 5G) seamlessly. The profiles to watch are these:
- Older phones (often bought before 2014-2015) that only handle 2G/3G for voice.
- Certain connected devices: alarms, lifts, payment terminals, GPS trackers or watches fitted with a 2G SIM.
- Basic phones ("dumbphones") and some senior plans still running on 2G.
Photo: Unsplash — remember to enable VoLTE in your settings.
VoLTE, the key to keeping your calls
The technical point to know is called VoLTE (Voice over LTE), meaning voice calls placed directly over the 4G network. With no 2G or 3G to carry voice, VoLTE takes over. But a 4G-capable phone is not necessarily VoLTE-capable.
Most smartphones sold in the last ten years support VoLTE: you often just need to enable it in the settings (under "Mobile network" or "Calls"). The oldest models, however, will need replacing to keep making calls. If in doubt, the manufacturer's spec sheet or your operator's customer service will confirm it.
And what about SMS?
That's the question we care about most. Rest assured: SMS isn't going away. Like voice, it simply moves from the old networks to 4G and 5G. On a recent phone, sending and receiving texts stays exactly the same. You can still send a free SMS from our home page, with no sign-up and no app to install: the message travels to your recipient's mobile network, whatever generation it uses.
SMS even remains one of the most robust channels in the telecom landscape: universal and app-free, it lands on any mobile. That's what sets it apart from newer formats like RCS, which we compared to SMS. For a reminder, a confirmation or a code, it keeps the edge — and if you have a lot of messages to send, our guide on sending SMS in bulk gives you the best practices.
What to do before 2G is switched off
If you use a recent smartphone, you generally have nothing to do: the transition is automatic. For everyone else, here's a short checklist:
- Check your phone's age and VoLTE compatibility (spec sheet or settings).
- Enable VoLTE in the settings if the option exists but is still off.
- Identify your connected devices with a 2G SIM (alarm, tracker, watch) and check with their manufacturer.
- If unsure about your plan, get in touch with your operator — they're required to warn affected customers.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my calls and texts on shutdown day? No, provided you have a VoLTE-capable phone (nearly all recent smartphones). Calls and texts switch automatically to 4G.
How do I know if my phone supports VoLTE? Check the manufacturer's spec sheet, or look for the "VoLTE" / "Wi-Fi & 4G calling" option in your network settings. Our contact page and our FAQ can also point you in the right direction.
Does the 2G shutdown change anything for sending a free SMS? Nothing at all. You can keep sending a text for free: the service works whatever mobile network your recipient is on.
In short
2026 marks the beginning of the end for 2G: Orange leads the way in spring, SFR and Bouygues follow from 15 November, and 3G will close in turn by 2028. For the vast majority of users, the move to 4G and 5G will be invisible. Just check the VoLTE compatibility of the oldest phones — and remember that to reach someone reliably, SMS stays free and universal with us.
