Marc
15 July 2026 · 5 min read
2G is winding down in 2026, but the next major mobile cleanup is right behind it: 3G (UMTS). Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have already published their shutdown calendars, which span late 2028 to late 2029. Free Mobile, which does not run its own 3G network, has not announced a date. Here is a clear look at what will disappear, what will not, and how to prepare — especially if you still rely on older devices, alarms, or telecare equipment.
Photo: Unsplash — 3G is preparing to step aside for 4G and 5G.
Why is 3G shutting down after 2G?
Unlike 2G, which kept serving as a voice and SMS safety net in remote areas, 3G saw its role decline faster. With the mass rollout of 4G — and now 5G — data traffic, but also voice over LTE (VoLTE), has moved to newer networks. Keeping three generations running in parallel costs a lot in energy, spectrum licenses and maintenance.
The French regulator Arcep and the Directorate-General for Enterprise have approved the roadmap: 2G closes first (from 2026), 3G follows. The logic is the same as for the shutdown of the legacy copper and ADSL network, where the old network was gradually replaced by fibre over several years. 4G is not at risk: every operator keeps it as a long-term backbone, with more than 99.9 % population coverage.
Official 3G shutdown timeline
The three main operators' announcements are converging. Here is the most up-to-date overview — confirm locally with your operator as works progress.
| Operator | 3G shutdown date | Replacement network |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | From late 2028 | 4G, 5G, voice over 4G (VoLTE) |
| SFR | Late 2028 | 4G, 5G, voice over 4G (VoLTE) |
| Bouygues Telecom | Late 2029 | 4G, 5G, voice over 4G (VoLTE) |
| Free Mobile | Not announced (no own 3G) | 2G/4G roaming via Orange |
Free Mobile has not communicated a date, and for good reason: its own network has historically been 4G-only, then 5G. For uncovered areas, Free uses Orange roaming — so it indirectly benefits from the historical operator's coverage.
What will stop working after the shutdown?
The main risk concerns devices that relied on 3G when 4G was unavailable, or that do not support voice over 4G. Three main groups need a quick check:
- Older mobile phones. Every 4G smartphone sold after 2017 supports VoLTE, and will fall back to 4G voice automatically. On the other hand, some feature phones and pre-2015 smartphones only handle 2G/3G and will become unusable.
- Connected objects and IoT. Alarms, telecare devices, elevators, connected boilers, intercoms and smart meters installed before 2018 often rely on 3G. It is the same kind of issue we flagged during the 2G shutdown — 3G adds a second wave of equipment to replace or update.
- Tablets, standalone GPS units, M2M modems. Recent 4G/5G routers are not affected, but a few entry-level models from the 2010-2015 era are 3G-only.
Key takeaway: to keep calling and sending SMS after the shutdown, your phone must support 4G and VoLTE. The vast majority of smartphones sold since 2018 do.
Everyday usage stays simple
Good news for our readers: Texto SMS Gratuit does not use your mobile network. Our service runs from any browser, on 4G, 5G, fibre or Wi-Fi. No SIM card to swap, no plan to migrate: you send your messages from the homepage, in France or abroad, with no sign-up and no ads.
For users who simply need to confirm their hardware will survive the transition, here is a quick cheat sheet:
| Hardware | 4G + VoLTE capable? | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone bought after 2018 | Yes, generally | None |
| 2015-2017 smartphone | Sometimes | Check the "VoLTE" option in settings |
| 4G feature phone | Yes (recent models) | OK |
| 2G/3G feature phone | No | Replace |
| Alarm / telecare | Variable | Contact the installer |
| 4G tablet with SIM | Yes | None |
Photo: Unsplash — feature phone: replace if 3G is its only network.
How to prepare today
Practically speaking, three habits are enough to ride the transition smoothly:
- Check the VoLTE compatibility of your smartphone: in the network settings, the "4G calling" or "VoLTE" option should be present and enabled.
- List your connected objects at home (alarm, thermostat, watch, GPS tracker…) and note their connectivity. Models sold after 2020 are usually native 4G, no issue.
- Follow your operator's local announcements. The shutdown will happen in waves, with several months of notice — much like the 2G shutdown schedule that Orange has already started applying zone by zone.
The State and Arcep will support the move. The regulator's official practical guide, "Closing of 2G and 3G networks", breaks down the steps, timelines and consumer rights per operator.
The bottom line
3G will go dark late 2028 at Orange and SFR, late 2029 at Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile has no own 3G network to switch off. Recent 4G/5G smartphones have nothing to do; on the other hand, older devices, feature phones and connected objects installed before 2018 need to be checked or replaced. The transition will be gradual, with prior notice — just like 2G this year.
To go further, you can read our 2G shutdown in 2026 guide, check the FAQ or contact us. And for your SMS, the free form keeps working on 4G, 5G or Wi-Fi, with zero dependency on legacy mobile networks.
