EE is switching off a long running service and has issued a message to customers (Image: Getty)
Mobile network EE has issued a message to customers announcing the end of one of its longest-running national services.
The firm will start urging customers who are still on 2G networks to move to one of its 4G or 5G deals ahead of the total shutdown of its old 2G network from 2030, when it will be closed by parent company .
In a note issued to customers, Howard Watson, BT’s chief security and networks officer and Kerry Small, chief operating officer for BT, said: “Mobile connectivity has come a long way since the early 1990s when the UK launched its first 2G network. It was a time long before the first smartphone was invented, before the launched, and even before the first SMS text message was sent.
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“But it is a world apart from what we, as a society, now demand from our digital communications. Today, just 0.1 percent of all data on our entire is carried over 2G.
“As a result, all mobile operators have committed to the UK Government to close their 2G networks by 2033 at the latest. While we will not be closing our 2G network until later this decade, the time for businesses to start preparing is now.
“We want to make sure all UK businesses understand how our network is evolving and give several years notice before any changes take effect.
“Having first spoken publicly about our 2G retirement plans back in 2021, in the coming months we will be reaching out to all our business customers who still use 2G in their operations to encourage and support them in making the move to a modern network; such as 4G, 5G or our new purpose-built Internet of Things (IoT) service used to connect smart devices and sensors.”
Any customer who has a phone still using the old 2G internet network will be cut off unless they’re on wi-fi when the service ends in 2030, but anyone on 4G or 5G will be unaffected.
All networks must close their 2G by 2033, but many have gone one step further and announced the end of their 3G services as well. Virgin Media will shut down its 3G network in April, while EE, and have already closed their 3G networks.